Senior leaders: You’ve lost the confidence of your employees. Here are several reasons why

Employee confidence in senior leadership has significantly declined between 2024 and 2025, reaching its lowest point since 2017, according to Glassdoor Economic Research. The platform's mid-year report indicates a substantial disconnect between employees and their employers, with average senior leadership ratings falling below 3.5. Analysis of Glassdoor reviews revealed a sharp increase in keywords associated with leadership issues, including "misalignment" (up 95%), "disconnect" (up 52%), and "distrust" (up 18%).

This erosion of confidence is exacerbated by ongoing anxieties surrounding job security and artificial intelligence. Glassdoor's research, which analyzed U.S. WARN Act notices, found that small layoffs constituted 50% of filings in 2026. While this figure is slightly lower than the period between 2023 and 2025, it remains higher than in previous years. Mentions of job insecurity surged by 63% in 2026, with explicit references to layoffs increasing by 29%, highlighting the pervasive fear among the workforce. Even employees who have avoided layoffs are experiencing persistent anxiety, as the negative impact on workplace culture can last for multiple years.

Return-to-office policies implemented after the COVID-19 pandemic have also contributed to employee dissatisfaction. The report suggests that leadership's communication and actions regarding these policies are often perceived as hypocritical or lacking clarity. This misalignment between leadership expectations and employee experiences is a key driver of the declining trust. The research underscores a critical need for senior leaders to address these concerns proactively to rebuild employee confidence and foster a more stable work environment.