Latest news with #GlassdoorEmployeeConfidenceIndex
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
The optimism recession: Why American workforce is worried now more than ever despite stable jobs
The American workforce is navigating a storm of uncertainty, and the latest data from Glassdoor confirms just how unsettled the climate has become. According to the Glassdoor Employee Confidence Index – May 2025, just 44.1% of employees reported a positive outlook on their company's business prospects for the next six months—the lowest figure recorded since the index began in 2016. This continued decline from April's 45.8% marks not just a monthly fluctuation but a deepening crisis in employee sentiment. Confidence among workers has now dipped below the previous low of 44.4% recorded in February 2025, reflecting mounting anxiety despite broader economic indicators suggesting stability. Subdued sentiment amid a stable economy Even with the U.S. unemployment rate holding steady at around 4.2%, the Glassdoor Index reveals a sharp contrast in how workers feel on the ground. The data suggests that economic metrics alone no longer capture the emotional undercurrent within today's workforce. Employees across industries are expressing growing doubts about job security, business stability, and their own long-term prospects. This erosion in confidence is not confined to any one demographic—but its impact is being felt most acutely among those just starting their careers. Entry-level optimism hits a historic low Among entry-level professionals, optimism is now at 43.4%, the lowest ever recorded in Glassdoor's nine-year tracking of the index. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo This figure highlights the vulnerability felt by early-career workers, many of whom are facing hiring slowdowns, career stagnation, and increased competition from AI-driven automation. The Glassdoor report makes it clear that these concerns are not isolated. They form part of a broader narrative of insecurity among those navigating a fast-changing professional landscape without the safety net of experience or seniority. Layoffs, uncertainty, and the rise of workplace fear One of the most telling aspects of the May 2025 index is the surge in negative sentiment appearing in employee reviews. According to Glassdoor's internal data: Mentions of 'layoffs' have increased 18% year-over-year References to 'uncertainty' have surged 63% Use of the word 'economy' has gone up 18% These figures reveal a growing preoccupation with external instability, even in workplaces not directly affected by layoffs. Across sectors, employees are voicing fears about potential job cuts, future viability, and the ripple effects of geopolitical and technological change. Emotional climate may outpace economic conditions The Glassdoor Confidence Index shows that perception is diverging from reality. While job markets remain resilient in many parts of the country, the psychological toll of persistent headlines about tech layoffs, economic slowdowns, and automation is wearing down worker morale. The concern now is that this emotional climate could become self-fulfilling. Persistent pessimism may undermine productivity, weaken company culture, and ultimately slow down business performance—even in firms with strong fundamentals. As 2025 moves into its second half, employers may need to go beyond metrics and incentives to rebuild trust and confidence. Transparency, communication, and investment in employee development—especially for younger staff—could be critical tools in reversing the trend. The message from the Glassdoor Employee Confidence Index – May 2025 is clear: beneath the surface of a steady economy lies a workforce that is increasingly uneasy, uncertain, and in need of reassurance. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Business Insider
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Job search going nowhere? Try this.
If you're trying to find a job, it's time to get scrappy. While the job market hasn't fallen off a cliff and layoffs remain low, stiffer competition for roles, surging use of artificial intelligence, and some employers' hesitation to hire are scrambling some job searches. That means some job seekers might have to pivot — potentially to an entirely new industry — or find other ways to stand out if they're set on a certain field. In some cases, you might have to adjust your goals. "Maybe put aside for the moment that dream to work for Amazon and Google, and maybe think about a different company that's more mid-cap," Angie Kamath, dean of the School of Professional Studies at New York University, told Business Insider. Kamath said the need to stay open to various options if you're looking for a role reflects the rapid change in many industries, especially as employers and employees alike try to understand what AI will mean for many aspects of work. "That's here to stay," she said, referring to the need for job seekers to understand how technology might remake jobs. To keep up, Kamath said, you should find ways to build your skills. That doesn't only mean getting a degree in a field, she said. Kamath said you might look to freebie or low-cost classes, for example, on AI from Amazon, Google, or online learning platforms like Udemy. "That's my No. 1 advice. Try something out. See if you like it. See if you hate it. See if you're energized by it," she said. Finding ways to stand out If you don't want to shift to a different field or job type, you might simply have to work harder to stand out. Ryan McManus, a vice president at the tech-focused recruitment firm Selby Jennings, told BI that some employers have become more selective in who they hire. "It might just be a bit more competitive in the sense that we're looking to check more boxes," he said, referring to finding candidates for the company's employer clients. For those who don't necessarily have every part of a job description nailed down, intangibles like being personable and a strong communicator can make a difference, McManus said. While finding ways to be flexible and try to stand out in a job search can help, it doesn't necessarily mean it will be easy to land a role. Some employers are slow-walking hiring, and some workers' confidence about business prospects is slipping. In the Glassdoor Employee Confidence Index released Tuesday, the share of employees who expect a positive six-month business outlook fell to 44.1% in May from 45.8% in April. The May reading was the lowest since 2016, when Glassdoor began collecting predictions from tens of thousands of US workers. Test your ideas To navigate an uncertain landscape, NYU's Kamath said job seekers might think of themselves as entrepreneurs who generate more than one idea for a business. "That's what we should do as we're looking for jobs. We should come up with a couple of versions of success, or what's interesting," she said. To know which option might be best, Kamath said it can help to ask friends what they think. She said that might mean having a conversation with a connection on LinkedIn who's in the line of work you're considering. Or it could involve visiting an employer that has public events or conferences. That manner of thinking, Kamath said, helps you avoid putting much pressure on yourself to land a certain role, and the thinking that "anything other than being successful in that one path equals failure." "It widens out what you might do and where you might do it," she said. Ultimately, Kamath said, job seekers often benefit when they step back and consider alternatives. "That's been very eye-opening for our students and our alumni to say there's more out there than the singular path to success," she said.
