"It's been a rough year for American workers. Unfortunately, 2026 isn't looking all that much better. The year began with tariffs-just as inflation was finally starting to cool-followed by AI anxiety and headline-grabbing layoffs, before ending with America's longest ever government shutdown. Surveys suggest many American workers didn't get a raise in 2025, and most are unsatisfied with their current compensation."
"They feel, however, as though they can't leave their jobs or ask for more money-despite an increasing cost of living -for fear of making themselves vulnerable to future layoffs. Instead, most relied on secondary sources of income to make ends meet, further fueling disengagement and burnout at their day jobs. "The story of the U.S. job market this year is definitely one of struggle and strife," says Jasmine Escalera, a career expert with the résumé-building platform Zety."
The year opened with tariffs as inflation began to cool, followed by AI anxiety, visible layoffs, and the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Many workers did not receive raises in 2025 and report dissatisfaction with compensation while living costs continue to rise. Workers fear leaving jobs or asking for higher pay because doing so could increase vulnerability to future layoffs. Most relied on secondary income to cover expenses, which intensified disengagement and burnout in their primary roles. A tougher labor market with fewer openings and more long-term unemployment has pushed employees into survival mode, reducing creativity and innovation.
Read at Fast Company
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]