The State of Stress & Joy at Work 2026

A Breakthrough National Study to Separate Myth from Truth About Stress, Joy, and Workplace Outcomes



Stress isn’t just a performance problem today; it’s a leadership problem for tomorrow.

Here’s just a glimpse of the many discoveries about stress and joy at work in the national study

• 80% of American workers experience five types of work stress, and while some stressors occur more often, others have a far greater impact on daily work experience. Which stressors hurt performance the most? The study reveals the answer and what can be done about it.
• 79% of American workers say feeling joy at work is essential to doing their best work - and that increases to 89% for executives. Yet 57% report feeling far less joy at work than they want. Why the gap? The study offers valuable clues.
• 75% of American workers report feeling joy at work helps them better cope with work stress, highlighting the importance of joy at work. But what are the drivers of joy at work? The study offers insights by generation, and by role.
• Stress is putting leadership pipelines at risk. American workers report that due to work stress:
• 63% have considered leaving their career
• 61% have avoided managing others
• 45% have lowered their career goals
• 44% have avoided promotions
• Experiences of stress and joy vary significantly across generations, working arrangement (in-person, hybrid, and remote), and job role/level of responsibility. The State of Stress and Joy at Work shows how these variations influence work experience and outcomes.
• And many more must-know insights for leaders, teams, and organizations.

Want an edge in today’s workplace? The State of Stress & Joy at Work 2026 gives it to you. You’ll discover the five types of work stress, seven key insights you can use right away, and where to start for meaningful change.

The findings in this study point to a hard truth—and a hopeful one: stress is systematically undermining success, and joy is part of the solution.

KEY QUESTIONS THIS YEAR’S REPORT ANSWERS:

1. Why are almost two-thirds of working Americans considering leaving their career – and what can be done about it?
   
   
2. How do stress and joy show up differently across generations – and why are younger workers being hit harder by today’s work design?
   
   
3. Which types of work stress are most common – and which ones do the most damage to day-to-day performance?
   
   
4. How is work stress shrinking leadership pipelines – and why are fewer people willing to step into management roles?
   
   
5. How do in-person, hybrid, and remote work experiences change stress and joy at work?
   
   
6. Why is joy essential for performance – and why do so many workers experience far less joy than they want?
   
   
7. Which workplace conditions most reliably build joy – and which ones consistently block it?
   
   
8. Why does access to support decline the further down the organization you go – and how does that shape who gets help?
   
   
9. Why do people find it easier to talk to colleagues than managers about stress – and what does that signal about psychological safety?
   
   
10. What practical steps can leaders take right now to reduce stress and increase joy for themselves and their teams?

And numerous other must-know questions!