Understanding how employees experience work continues to be a top priority for HR leaders. A new national report from Sogolytics offers timely, data-backed insight into what is shaping employee satisfaction, trust, and retention as organizations head into 2026.

Sogolytics recently released The Sogolytics Experience Index: Employee Edition (EX) 2026, based on responses from 1,027 full-time U.S. employees across 12 industries. The study provides a snapshot of workforce sentiment and the factors most influencing engagement today.

What the Data Reveals

71% of U.S. employees report being satisfied at work. However, nearly one in five employees feel neutral, signaling a meaningful opportunity for employers to strengthen engagement before dissatisfaction takes hold.

The report revealed that pay, work-life balance, and feeling valued are the strongest predictors of employee satisfaction. Compensation, in particular, continues to drive decision-making. Nearly half of employees say they would leave their current role for better pay, reinforcing the importance of pay equity and transparency in retention strategies.

Trust and follow-through are also major challenges. Only one in ten employees believe their feedback always leads to action. This listening-to-action gap is contributing to disengagement and eroding confidence in employee surveys, even as organizations invest significant time and resources in collecting feedback.

Technology, AI, and the Human Factor

The report highlights a growing tension between digital efficiency and human connection. While 61% of employees say technology improves their workday, 38% want more human interaction, particularly when it comes to recognition, communication, and collaboration.

AI adoption presents a similar divide. 30% of employees believe AI is unnecessary or not useful in their role. This finding points to the need for training and thoughtful implementation as organizations expand their use of AI-enabled tools.

Key Takeaways for Employers

Sogolytics’ analysis goes beyond descriptive data, connecting employee sentiment to business outcomes such as retention risk, leadership trust, and future-of-work readiness. Several themes stand out for HR and business leaders:

• Collecting feedback without consistent action undermines trust and limits the return on employee listening efforts.
• Technology investments must be balanced with empathy-driven leadership and meaningful human interaction.
• Fairness, transparency, and equitable pay are no longer differentiators. Employees see them as baseline expectations.
• Compensation and financial security remain the strongest drivers of turnover, even in organizations with strong cultures.

Why This Matters for HR Leaders

For HR professionals navigating tight labor markets, evolving technology, and rising employee expectations, the data provides a clear reminder that listening must be paired with action, and innovation must be matched with humanity.

When organizations focus on fair pay, meaningful work, clear communication, and trust, they are better positioned to engage employees and retain talent in the year ahead.

View the report in full here.

ASE Connect

ASE can help with many of the employer challenges identified in this report.

ASE Compensation Survey –The 2026 ASE Compensation Survey opens January 19, 2026.  Surveying over 435 Michigan organizations across the state, it's the most comprehensive compensation report available in Michigan. ASE member participants receive the full report at no cost; non-member participants can purchase at a discounted rate. Request to particpate here.

AI Micro-Certification – ASE offers a Micro-Certification in AI offering an overview of how to utilize Artificial Intelligence in the business world including in HR and recruitment. This certification consists of 1.5 core credits (3 half-day core courses) and .5 elective credits (1 half-day elective course). Request more information here.

AI Toolkit – Visit the ASE AI Resources page for a complete toolkit that include an AI survey report, on-demand webinar, AI Implementation Guide, and more.

AI in HR Circle of Peers Hub – New! This new hub is designed for HR professionals who are exploring, piloting, or scaling the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within their organizations. As AI rapidly transforms talent acquisition, employee development, analytics, and core HR processes, leaders are navigating both new opportunities and emerging challenges. In this group, we’ll discuss real-world applications of AI in HR, examine ethical and compliance considerations, share lessons learned, and explore practical strategies for integrating AI into everyday HR workflows. Circle of Peers Hubs are member-exclusive.  Join the AI in HR Hub here.

Employee Engagement – Drive employee satisfaction and productivity with our Employee Engagement Program. Our multi-faceted approach includes building an effective engagement strategy - from survey implementation and reporting to results interpretation and action planning.  

Employee Experience Monitor – Get a pulse of your employee satisfaction with this single question survey that helps organizations recalibrate the purpose, cadence and focus of engagement towards leaders. Quickly see whether your employees are Promoters, Passives, or Detractors in your organization. Use continuous feedback on how many employees positively and passionately support the organization, and how many definitely do not, to fine tune leadership actions.

Sources: HR Drive; Sogolytics