Data Lab

Employee sentiment weakens for sixth month

The EMC Index, which tracks how people think and feel about their jobs, has had an unprecedented six-month run of weakness. In February, worker sentiment shed 4 points to its lowest reading since May 2025.

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Employment Wages

May 6, 2025

Small employers: Lean pay, more flexibility?

by Issi Romem, Ph.D.

When ADP Research examined the bottom half of gross wages, we found them to be relatively similar at businesses of all sizes, with one exception: At the smallest employers, the lowest wages were noticeably lower.

The EMC Index, which tracks how people think and feel about their jobs, rose in April, returning to a series high.

April 15, 2025

Employee sentiment index rose in April

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

The ADP Research Employee Motivation and Commitment Index, which tracks how people think and feel about their jobs, gained two points in April to return to its series high.

The Employee Motivation and Commitment Index fell slightly in March, dropping two points to 127.

EMC Index

March 18, 2025

Employee sentiment dips in March

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

The EMC Index, which tracks how people think and feel about their jobs, fell slightly in March. Only three of the 10 sectors we track showed strength.

The EMC Index, which tracks how people think and feel about their jobs, climbed five points in February, matching the record high set in July 2024.

February 18, 2025

Employee sentiment rebounded in February

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

Employee sentiment rebounded in February, gaining 5 points to match a record high set in July 2024. Two sectors—retail and wholesale trade, and information—hit new record highs.

Wages Geographic trends

February 13, 2025

LA wildfires: Lost hours and fewer paychecks

by Issi Romem, Ph.D. • Łukasz Below • Tim Decker • Liv Wang

As houses burned and businesses shuttered, the Palisades and Eaton fires also inflicted pain on workers.

Diagram depicting the structure of ADP skills ontology

AI/ML Skills

February 6, 2025

What’s in a name?

by Tim Decker

If it’s a job title, a lot. We built a tool that plumbs the deep reservoir of skills connected to thousands of job titles.

The EMC Index, which tracks how people think and feel about their jobs, lost five points in January, but remains near historic highs set in the second half of 2024.

Worker sentiment EMC Index

January 21, 2025

Employee sentiment fell in January

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

Employee sentiment fell by five points in January. Worker sentiment in the information sector hit a record high.

The EMC Index, which tracks how people think and feel about their jobs, rose in December. A previous post said it had fallen.

Worker sentiment EMC Index

December 17, 2024

Employee sentiment rose in December

by Mary Hayes, Ph.D. • Jared Northup

Correction: The Employee Motivation and Commitment Index rose in December. Finance, transportation and warehousing, professional services, and real estate also improved.

Data Lab

Employee sentiment weakens for sixth month

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Stay up to date with Data Lab

Small employers: Lean pay, more flexibility?

Employee sentiment index rose in April

Employee sentiment dips in March

Employee sentiment rebounded in February

LA wildfires: Lost hours and fewer paychecks

What’s in a name?

Employee sentiment fell in January

Employee sentiment rose in December

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