2026 Workplace Culture Report: Key Insights for Employers

The workplace looks a lot different than it did just a few years ago. Employees are ambitious, financially stressed, and navigating new expectations around balance, technology, and growth. According to SurveyMonkey’s 2025 Workplace Culture and Trends report, the gaps between what employees want and what employers deliver are widening — but so are the opportunities to bridge them.

For HR leaders, managers, and executives, understanding these shifts is key to keeping top talent engaged. Below, we break down the top five culture trends shaping the year and what they mean for your organization.

Career Growth and Ambition Are Colliding

Employees remain highly ambitious, but many don’t see clear pathways forward. Nearly half of workers (43%) report little to no opportunities for growth at their current job. The disconnect is sharpest among younger workers: only 28% of Gen Z are satisfied with where they are, compared with 38% of Millennials and 47% of Gen X.

Ambition is still alive and well: 64% of workers want to reach top leadership positions someday, and Gen Z leads the charge at 80%. But employees differ on how promotions should work: while 70% believe promotions require going above and beyond, one in three individual contributors feel doing their job well should be enough to advance.

Employer takeaway: If career ladders feel out of reach, employees disengage or look elsewhere. Recognition programs and development incentives — like rewarding participation in training or mentorships — can help employees see that their growth matters now, not just “someday.”

The Rise of the Side Hustle

One of the most striking findings: nearly three in four workers (72%) either have a side hustle or are considering one. Of those, 37% already juggle an additional gig and 35% are exploring the idea. The motivations are telling: 48% want to save for specific financial goals, 44% need extra income to make ends meet, and 37% want to build new skills.

For Gen Z, the side hustle is practically a lifestyle. One in four (26%) say they’re considering a career as an influencer or content creator.

Employer takeaway: Side hustles aren’t just about extra cash; they represent unmet needs for security, purpose, and growth. Employers can’t stop workers from seeking outside opportunities, but they can address the root causes. Offering flexible, meaningful incentives, from recognition gift cards to wellness stipends, demonstrates support for employees’ financial and personal well-being.

Work-Life Balance vs. Hustle Culture

Work-life balance is a paradox in 2025. Most workers (78%) say they have a healthy balance, yet 65% believe sacrificing personal time is necessary for career success. Meanwhile, the “always-on” culture is alive and well: 85% of workers receive after-hours messages at least a few times a month, and 60% get them weekly or more often. Three in five respond at least a few times a week, often out of fear that not doing so could hurt their job performance.

Burnout is the predictable result: 74% of employees say they worked while sick in the past year.

Employer takeaway: Employees want flexibility, but they also want to know their boundaries are respected. Leaders can reduce stress and reinforce healthier habits with recognition tied to work-life wellness, like rewarding employees for participating in preventive care, logging off at reasonable hours, or using PTO.

Managers and Employees See the World Differently

SurveyMonkey found a deep divide between what managers and individual contributors experience at work. For example:

• Transparency: Only 32% of individual contributors believe senior leaders would be transparent if asked about company strategy, compared with 56% of leaders who think they are.
• Promotions: 31% of ICs think doing assigned work well should merit a promotion, compared to just 22% of leaders.
• Burnout: 33% of ICs cite burnout or low motivation as their main productivity challenge, vs. 20% of leaders.

Employer takeaway: When leadership expectations don’t match employees’ lived realities, trust and morale erode. Regular recognition, equitable rewards, and transparent communication can help close these gaps by validating employees’ contributions in tangible ways.

AI Use Quietly Expands

Artificial intelligence continues to shape workplace dynamics — often under the radar. One in five workers (20%) admit to using generative AI tools without telling their manager, and 15% say they’ve done so without notifying customers. Interestingly, managers are even more likely to keep quiet about their AI use than individual contributors (29% vs. 14%).

Employer takeaway: Rather than discouraging AI adoption, employers should recognize and reward employees who use these tools responsibly. Structured incentive programs can encourage knowledge-sharing, training, and transparency around AI, turning a hidden habit into a company-wide advantage.

The Bottom Line

From side hustles to hustle culture, from career ambition to quiet AI adoption, the modern workplace is full of contradictions. Employees want growth but don’t see opportunities. They want balance but feel pressure to stay “always on.” They want financial security but are chasing income elsewhere.

The common thread? Workers want to feel valued, supported, and fairly rewarded. Employers that adapt with transparent communication, flexible incentives, and recognition programs will turn these challenges into opportunities.

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