Glassdoor research highlights growing employee–leader disconnect 

A widening gap between employees and senior leaders, persistent job insecurity and slower career progression for remote workers are set to shape working life in 2026, according to new research from Glassdoor. The Glassdoor Worklife Trends 2026 report, based on millions of employee reviews, suggests workers are entering the year less engaged and more sceptical of leadership than at any point since before the pandemic. While the data is drawn primarily from the US, many of the themes mirror trends already visible across UK workplaces, particularly as hiring slows and employers regain leverage in the labour market. 

Glassdoor found that trust in senior leadership has fallen steadily since 2023. In reviews that mention management, the use of words signalling frustration and mistrust has risen sharply. Mentions of “disconnect” increased by 24 per cent year on year, while references to “miscommunication” rose 25 per cent and “distrust” 26 per cent. The sharpest rise was in the use of the word “misaligned”, up 149 per cent. 

The research suggests this erosion of trust reflects a combination of unpopular decisions, including layoffs and return-to-office policies, alongside uncertainty over how leaders will balance business priorities with employee wellbeing. Industries that saw the steepest declines in leadership ratings include management and consulting, media and communications and technology, all sectors with a strong UK presence. 

Job insecurity is also emerging as a defining feature of the current workplace. Glassdoor points to the rise of what it calls the “forever layoff”, where employers make smaller, more frequent cuts rather than large, one-off redundancies. In 2025, layoffs affecting fewer than 50 employees accounted for 51 per cent of reported job cuts, up from 38 per cent a decade earlier. 

While this approach may attract less public attention, the report suggests it fuels anxiety among remaining staff. Mentions of layoffs and job insecurity in employee reviews are now higher than they were at the start of the pandemic, highlighting the long-term impact on morale and workplace culture. For UK employers, this echoes growing concerns around burnout, stress and psychological safety, particularly in organisations undergoing repeated restructuring. 

Flexible working remains another pressure point. Glassdoor data shows that average career opportunity ratings for remote and hybrid workers have fallen from 4.1 (out of five) in 2020 to 3.5 in 2025. Although work-life balance scores remain higher for those working flexibly, the gap is narrowing and perceptions of career progression and leadership support have declined. 

The report suggests that, while full-scale return-to-office mandates have had limited impact on overall remote working levels, employees increasingly fear being “out of sight, out of mind”. As a result, more workers may feel compelled to return to offices in 2026 if they want access to progression and recognition. This presents a clear challenge for UK organisations seeking to balance flexibility with fairness and inclusion. 

On artificial intelligence (AI), the findings are more nuanced. Despite widespread anxiety about automation, Glassdoor found only a marginal decline in overall satisfaction among employees in roles with high exposure to AI. Ratings fell by just 0.02 stars on a five-point scale compared with other occupations. The impact was slightly greater for early-career workers, but still relatively small. 

This suggests that, while AI remains a source of concern, other factors such as job security, leadership trust and career development are currently having a greater influence on employee sentiment. For UK employers experimenting with AI, the research underlines the importance of clear communication and support, particularly for younger workers. 

The tightening labour market is also changing employee behaviour. Job applicants were 12 per cent less likely to reject a job offer in 2025 than in 2023, as hiring rates fell to their lowest level in a decade. Glassdoor expects this trend to continue into 2026, with more workers accepting roles that may not be a good fit, potentially slowing career development and increasing disengagement over time. 

There is, however, a more positive note for those starting out in their careers. Glassdoor reports that real wage growth for early-career workers is set to surpass 2020 levels in 2026, after several years in which inflation outpaced pay. While much of the strongest growth has been seen in US cities, the finding reflects a broader trend of gradual recovery in purchasing power for younger workers, which could also support early-career wellbeing in the UK. 

Taken together, the research paints a picture of a workforce under strain, with trust, security and progression emerging as central wellbeing issues. As UK employers look ahead to 2026, the report reinforces the need for transparent leadership, consistent people practices and a renewed focus on both mental and financial wellbeing to rebuild engagement and confidence at work.