What’s in store for the future of work? Drawing on extensive data from Glassdoor and government sources, Glassdoor Economic Research maps the forces shaping workplace sentiment heading into 2026, including the rise of “forever layoffs,” the slow retreat from remote work, and the uneven effects of AI on job security. The downbeat, but illuminating report describes a labor market where uncertainty has become the new norm, employee confidence in leadership is eroding, and tech jobs have largely lost their luster.
Workers’ trust in their leaders is continuing to wane, particularly in the consulting, media, and tech sectors.
Employees’ trust in senior leaders continued to decline in 2025, following a downward trend that began in 2023 and will likely continue in 2026. Workers doubt what their leaders say and distrust their decisions. This shift coincides with workers losing leverage, thanks to a cooling labor market. Employees are unsure whether leaders will protect their interests amid increasing uncertainty in the workplace.
This mistrust trend is evident across various industries, but is particularly pronounced in the consulting, media, and technology sectors. Consulting firms have struggled to derive real client value from AI, and media consolidation has fueled constant layoffs. Tech roles, once seen as dream jobs, now often feel dominated by pressure and grind.
“Forever layoffs” are spreading.
Instead of reducing headcount via occasional...
Glassdoor Economic Research is an in-house think tank at Glassdoor that provides labor market insights and research based on Glassdoor’s jobs, salary, and benefits data as well as company reviews.
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