Only 1 in 4 Employees Feel Appreciated
FrequencyFebruary 16, 202600:07:35

Only 1 in 4 Employees Feel Appreciated

The Achievers Workforce Institute surveyed 4,000 employees and HR professionals across eight countries, and the findings are bleak. Only 25% of employees feel appreciated at work. 34% are actively job hunting. If even a fraction of them leave, the US alone faces a turnover cost between $1.3 and $5.1 trillion — and that doesn't include part-time workers.

Chuck and Jenni break down why the fixes are insultingly simple yet consistently ignored. Employees who receive weekly recognition are 12x more likely to find work meaningful. Fair compensation makes employees 2.5x more likely to be engaged. None of this costs serious money. Jenni makes the case that leaders avoid these basics because they don't know what the time investment looks like — and they don't want to admit that.

Chuck reflects on his own past dismissal of gift card programs and concedes the data says otherwise. While CEOs collect eight-figure packages, the basics of recognition and connection remain underfunded.

https://www.achievers.com/resources/white-papers/2026-engagement-retention-awi-report/