Latest news with #TaraMartell
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Employees are walking on eggshells in 2025, report finds
This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter. 2025 is the year of the 'eggshell economy,' as employees walk on eggshells in what feels like a fragile workplace environment, according to a May 14 report from BambooHR. Fifty-four percent of the more than 1,500 full-time salaried employees surveyed did not apply for any jobs in 2024; this was more pronounced among baby boomers, with 76% not seeking new opportunities, compared to 33% of Generation Z. Even among employees who weren't satisfied with their job, 31% said they didn't apply for work elsewhere, suggesting that low turnover rates within an organization 'may be missing the bigger picture,' Tara Martell, BambooHR's chief customer officer, stated in the report. With the big picture in mind, the reality is that 'very few open roles are out there relative to the available workforce, so competition is fierce,' Martell pointed out. 'Many candidates also complain about exhaustive interview processes or poor communication with recruiters,' Martell added. 'Low turnover could just be a function of lack of opportunity,' she said. BambooHR's finding of low turnover is consistent with Eagle Hill Consulting's April Employee Retention Index, which predicted employees will be more likely to remain in their roles over the next six months. The Eagle Hill findings differed somewhat from what BambooHR found, in that the Eagle Hill index found Gen Z workers appeared to be the least likely to leave their jobs, while BambooHR found that baby boomers were more likely to stay. Even so, Gen Z didn't seem all that eager to leave, either. BambooHR's survey found that among employees who did apply for new jobs, a mere 9% of Gen Z applied to more than 10 jobs, while 32% of Gen Z applied to just one or two jobs. The trend in decreased hiring, job openings and turnover has been going on for several months, according to a previous report from BambooHR. Hiring, both globally and in the U.S., reached its lowest point in five years in December, the report found. This somber outlook may account for workers being more anxious about job security, a sentiment reflected in both BambooHR's May report and Eagle Consulting's April retention index, despite employees telling BambooHR they were satisfied with their work-life balance, benefits and relationships with their bosses. Driven by this anxiety, employees have been navigating the workplace in specific ways to prove they're invaluable and to avoid being laid off, BambooHR said. These strategies including actively working to ensure their contributions are visible to their entire team (73%); speaking up at meetings to make sure their efforts are recognized (46%); maintaining detailed project logs to safeguard their contributions (46%); and being available after hours, hoping to be perceived as committed workers (44%), according to BambooHR. Additionally, 53% said they create 'work barriers' as a way to make their roles harder to hand off, a strategy particularly prevalent among the 'Hustle Generations,' with 42% of millennials, 34% of Gen X, and 39% of Gen Z maintaining exclusive control over key projects, the survey found. Such behaviors can lead to work silos, toxicity and fear, Martell noted. 'If your employees are creating 'work barriers,' it's because they are scared. Start there,' she suggested.
Associated Press
14-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Welcome to the Eggshell Economy: America's Workforce in Survival Mode
New survey finds Americans report high job satisfaction—yet show signs of risk aversion, visibility efforts, and self-censorship at work DRAPER, Utah, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Amid ongoing economic volatility and cultural sensitivity, a new report from BambooHR ®, the easiest-to-use people platform for HR, payroll, and benefits, reveals a paradox in the American workplace: while 84% of full-time employees say they're satisfied with their jobs, many are operating in survival mode. Dubbed the " Eggshell Economy,' this fragile environment has prompted workers to become more cautious, calculated, and inwardly focused—choosing stability over ambition and visibility over vulnerability. 'Today's employees are navigating a minefield of career and economic uncertainties,' said Tara Martell, chief customer officer at BambooHR. 'High satisfaction rates are encouraging on the surface, but they also suggest a workforce walking on eggshells: grateful to be employed, but reluctant to rock the boat. Meaningful effort to support employee well-being will go far, both in resilience and retention.' Insights from the Eggshell Economy BambooHR surveyed over 1,500 full-time, salaried professionals to understand how workers respond to an uncertain climate. The results paint a picture of cautious contentment: Emotional and Financial Anchors Workplace Strategy and Visibility Social Dynamics and Self-Censorship 'These findings reveal how deeply economic and cultural shifts are reshaping workplace behavior,' said Tara Martell, chief customer officer at BambooHR. 'The modern employee isn't just working, they're managing perception, guarding their roles, and adapting to an environment where missteps feel more consequential.' To read the full report, visit Research Methodology BambooHR conducted this research using an online survey prepared by Method Research and distributed by RepData among 1,509 adults (age 18+) in the United States who are full-time salaried employees who currently work in a desk job position, including a subgroup of n=501 HR professionals who have a manager title or above. The sample was equally split between genders, with a spread of age groups, race groups, and geographies represented. Data was collected from March 4 to March 17, 2025. About BambooHR BambooHR® is the leading HR software platform that sets people free to do great work. Intuitively designed and user-friendly HR, payroll, and benefits administration in one unified ecosystem means less focus on process and more on growing what matters most—people. With AI-powered insights and comprehensive reporting, HR leaders gain the data they need to craft strategies to enhance employee engagement and retention while effectively measuring success. Trusted by HR professionals in over 34,000 companies across 190 countries and 50 industries, BambooHR supports millions of users throughout their employee journey. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Bamboo HR LLC
