The ADP Research Employee Motivation and Commitment Index, which tracks how U.S. workers think and feel about their jobs, weakened for the fourth straight month, dropping 3 points to close at 126 in August.

The index has shed 23 points since its record high of 149 set in August 2025 and now is at its lowest point since January 2025.

“After hitting record highs in 2025, worker sentiment has returned to its 2024 levels,” said Dr. Mary Hayes, research director of People and Performance at ADP Research. “Workers might not be quitting their jobs, but as a whole they appear to be giving less to their employers.”

Industry

Sentiment lost ground in 12 of the 19 industries we track.

Accommodation and food services showed the biggest decline, falling 21 points to 78, its largest monthly decrease and its lowest reading since we began tracking this sector in August 2024.

Other personal services, an industry that includes repair and maintenance services, hair and beauty services, pet care and grooming, and mobile app services, also reached a record low, shedding 15 points to 105.

Public administration shed 10 points to 72, its lowest level since June 2025. The industry is 46 points down from its record high of 118 set in May.

Worker type

Sentiment among knowledge workers fell 6 points to 117, the lowest reading for this group since January 2025. Repetitive task worker sentiment shed 5 points to 107. Skilled task worker sentiment was unchanged.

Employer size

Sentiment fell or remained steady in 6 of the 7 employer sizes we track. At employers with 150 to 499 workers, employee sentiment dropped 9 points to 107, this group’s lowest reading since May 2024.

Note: This month’s survey was fielded August 3 to 10, 2026. ADP Research publishes the EMC Index on the third Tuesday of every month. The next release will be September 15.