Workplace Trust Boosts Engagement and Job Security
Employees who trust their leaders are more engaged, which helps to minimize the risk of voluntary job loss.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Employment
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New research from ADP reveals that employee trust in leadership and coworkers significantly boosts workplace engagement. Only 30% of employees are currently fully engaged, a metric that directly influences job retention.
Why it matters
Low engagement driven by a lack of trust serves as a precursor to voluntary turnover, with each 1% decline in engagement linked to a 45% increase in the likelihood of attrition. This makes management transparency a critical factor in both career stability and long-term financial planning for households.
Employees trusting their CEO are 41% more likely to be engaged, while coworker trust increases that likelihood by 60%. With every 1% drop in engagement, the risk of voluntary attrition rises by 45%.
The players
ADP
A payroll and human capital management firm serving over 1 million clients across 140 countries.
Maria Black
The president and CEO of ADP who has led the company since 2023.
The details
Engagement acts as a primary buffer against job loss, as employers track these metrics to determine staffing needs and retention strategies. When trust erodes, workers are statistically more likely to leave their positions, which can disrupt household income streams and career progression. ADP, which manages human capital for over 1 million clients, uses these internal findings to emphasize the financial weight of workplace relationships.
Timeline
1996: Maria Black began her employment at ADP.
2023: Maria Black became president and CEO of ADP.
October 2026: Maria Black spoke at a summit in California.
Money Landscape
This research updates the industry understanding of workforce stability by quantifying the financial risk of disengagement. It highlights a critical shift where intangible workplace trust is now being measured as a tangible driver of career and income longevity.
Workplace engagement directly correlates with your job security and potential for voluntary turnover. Monitor your own sense of trust in management as a barometer for the stability of your current income stream.
The takeaway
Workplace trust is a direct predictor of job retention, as higher engagement levels statistically lower the chance of voluntary attrition. To gauge your own professional stability, monitor your engagement levels as a signal of your long-term career outlook and potential need for a resume refresh.
Further reading
For broader trends affecting your career, visit our Employment section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fortune.
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Does your level of trust in your company leadership determine how engaged you are at work?
