A critical new report from the Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI) delivers a clear economic warning to HR leaders: U.S. employers are projected to lose at least $1.3 trillion in attrition in 2026. This massive cost is driven by a simple, avoidable factor: a lack of cultural investment.
AWI’s 2025 Employee Engagement & Retention report surveyed employees and HR professionals globally, revealing compelling stats that demand action:
- 75% of employees do not feel appreciated.
- 34% are actively planning to job hunt in 2026, with another 22% undecided.
- Only 25% see a long-term career with their current company.
The Antidote: Managers as the Linchpin
The research confirms that the solution lies in three foundational culture pillars: weekly manager recognition, rewarding experiences, and connection.
Hannah Yardley, Chief People and Culture Officer at Achievers, shares a key takeaway for HR strategy:
Actionable Insight: Invest in Soft Skills, Drive Hard ROI
The opportunity for HR is now to equip managers to be the primary drivers of appreciation and connection. As Yardley notes, the C-suite must fully embrace the “hard ROI behind the seemingly soft drivers of friendship, belonging, and appreciation.”
To secure that $1.3 trillion, HR must prioritize a science-backed approach to empowering managers to deliver weekly recognition and foster genuine team connection.