Employee Confidence Fell to a 10-Year Low in September

U.S. workers reported increasing anxiety about job security and economic conditions, signaling a shift in workplace sentiment.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Employment

Employee Confidence Fell to a 10-Year Low in September

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Do you feel more secure about your job security today than you did a year ago?

The Glassdoor Employee Confidence Index dropped to 42.9 percent in September 2026, marking a 10-year low for the sentiment measure. This decline reflects a cooling outlook among U.S. workers regarding their employers' business prospects over the coming six months.

Why it matters

Rising anxiety among employees can lead to more conservative household financial planning and shifts in how workers approach career decisions or job transitions. This trend, captured across 24 industries, highlights a broad concern over economic stability as workers face mounting mentions of layoffs and inflation.

In September, 42.9% of employees reported a positive business outlook for their employer, down from 44.5% in August. Glassdoor reviews also saw significant year-over-year surges in mentions of uncertainty (84%) and artificial intelligence (164%).

The players

Glassdoor

A platform providing employee-generated reviews and salary data that helps workers evaluate company culture and financial stability.

The details

The Glassdoor survey tracks worker confidence by asking staff to rate their company's six-month business outlook. As uncertainty grows, mentions of recession, layoffs, and inflation in employee reviews have climbed, reaching 6%, 13%, and 22% year-over-year increases respectively. This feedback serves as a proxy for how employees feel about their own job security and the overall fiscal health of their organizations.

September 2026 marked the 10-year low for the index.
August 2026 saw a higher positive outlook rate of 44.5 percent.

Money Landscape

This decline represents a sharp shift compared to the historical range of the Glassdoor Employee Confidence Index over the last 10 years. It highlights a period where employee sentiment has decoupled from previous levels of workplace optimism.

The rise in anxiety around layoffs and inflation suggests that households may want to prioritize building emergency savings and reviewing their debt repayment plans. Consider speaking with a qualified financial professional to ensure your budget is prepared for potential shifts in income security.

The takeaway

When sentiment trends toward uncertainty, it is a prudent time to assess your financial safety net and ensure your household budget can weather potential disruptions. Tracking your industry's stability through professional and company updates can help you make more informed career and savings choices.