Insights from our 2026 Voice of the American Workforce survey
Retention in the workforce has been and is still an ongoing issue for employers. Low retention rates have associated costs, from hiring to training to time to lower rates of productivity as new employees get fully up to speed. At Employbridge, we know that one of the biggest factors in retaining qualified and competent individuals is job satisfaction. If job satisfaction is low, employees are more likely to leave.
Every year, we ask our hourly workers about their job satisfaction as part of our Voice of the American Workforce Survey. It helps us discover what our workforce is saying about their experiences at workplaces across the United States.
The results of our 2026 survey helped us identify five areas that employers can work on to help boost job satisfaction and reduce turnover among their workforces.
1. Employees need to feel valued.
When employers make a visible effort to acknowledge workers and their efforts, satisfaction among their workforce is likely to increase. To strengthen job satisfaction and retention, make sure any recognition efforts or programs are consistent and ongoing.
Consider:
- Acknowledging your employees’ hard work in the moment
- Ensuring managers provide consistent feedback
- Doing something extra when individuals or teams reach an achievement
2. Establish ways employees can be heard.
Job satisfaction is more likely to be higher when employees feel that their concerns matter. But listening is not enough. To build trust, employers and managers must act on the feedback their workers provide and be transparent about the timeline for change or improvements. By taking action, employers can build a solid foundation of trust, which in turn can boost performance and retention.
Consider:
- Having regular check-ins
- Creating and administering pulse surveys for feedback
- Sharing with employees any actions taken based on feedback
3. Invest in growth and development.
If you want to stand out from the competition and boost retention, clearly communicate how workers can advance in their careers and regularly share your paths to promotion. Employees who see opportunities to learn new skills and advance their careers are more likely to report higher job satisfaction and are often more likely to stay with you for the long term.
Consider:
- Creating and promoting career pathways within your organization
- Offering opportunities for training and skills development
- Discussing career goals with employees during performance conversations
4. Provide stability and predictability.
Our 2026 Voice of the American Workforce data shows that consistent and predictable schedules play an important role in employee satisfaction. Employees who report having higher job satisfaction are less likely to report having shifts canceled or reduced.
And it’s not just about inconvenience for workers. Canceled shifts have a direct impact on their paychecks, and consistency in pay is essential for many hourly workers.
Consider:
- Reducing last-minute schedule changes
- Improving workforce planning
- Communicating staffing or operational changes proactively
5. Prioritize safety and well-being.
A healthy and safe work environment has a meaningful impact on both engagement and retention. Employees who feel safe and supported are more likely to report higher job satisfaction.
Notice that job satisfaction depends not only on feeling physically safe, but also on feeling safe and supported. To boost retention, employers must minimize the risk of worksite accidents and injuries and create an emotionally safe environment where workers feel heard and respected.
Consider:
- Addressing safety concerns promptly
- Promoting wellness and support resources
- Training leaders to foster a supportive workplace culture
In Summary
Our 2026 Voice of the American Workforce data points to some important takeaways:
- Employees are more likely to stay when they feel valued, heard, supported, secure, and able to grow.
- Employers that focus on these five areas may be better positioned to improve job satisfaction, reduce turnover, and build a stronger workforce for the long term.
How can Employbridge help you improve job satisfaction and retain talent?
Employbridge’s Voice of the American Workforce is the largest survey of hourly workers in the United States. Respondents included workers employed during the past year on a flexible, part-time, or full-time basis by Employbridge customers. We use these results to provide our clients with deeper insight into trends affecting their markets and industries.
Contact us to learn more about the many ways we support clients in manufacturing, logistics, transportation, energy, hospitality and events, as well as professional roles within those industries.