Employee sentiment climbs to another record high

The Employee Motivation and Commitment Index hit a record high for the third straight month, climbing eight points in July to 147.

Three sectors hit their own new record highs. Manufacturing jumped 33 points to 230, its largest month-over-month increase since we began data collection in December 2021. Educational services rose 20 points to 150, easily besting its previous high of 136 in August. Retail and wholesale trade climbed six points to 147, besting its previous record set in June.

Only one sector lost ground in July. Real estate sentiment fell four points to 96, its third straight monthly decline.

“Workers remain resilient despite uncertainty, even as hiring momentum has slowed over the last few months,” said Dr. Mary Hayes, director of People and Performance at ADP Research. “While it’s become harder to find a job, people who have them are keeping their cool in the face of a labor market slowdown.”

The Employee Motivation and Commitment Index tracks how people think and feel about their jobs and employers. ADP Research collects data each month using a panel survey to gather a stratified, random panel sample of 2,500 U.S. workers. This month’s survey was fielded July 1 through 7, 2025.

By providing a real-time measure of the state of worker allegiance, the index can tell us whether people are flourishing in their jobs or detaching. ADP Research publishes the EMC Index on the third Tuesday of every month. The next release will be August 19. For EMC Index historical data, visit the ADP Research Data Lab.