The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) released extensive research Monday showing workers across 16 countries are more likely to trust their employers than national governments and are quitting jobs that harm their mental health.
The SHRM Global Worker Project, unveiled during the organization’s Policy Week in Europe, surveyed diverse workers including full-time, part-time, temporary and self-employed individuals across countries spanning six continents, including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Mexico, China, Nigeria, India, Dominican Republic, Indonesia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Australia, Germany and Italy.
“SHRM’s Global Worker Project is paving the way for meaningful change by focusing on what truly matters—understanding the needs and aspirations of workers across the globe,” said Emily M. Dickens, Chief of Staff and Head of Government Affairs at SHRM.
Mental health emerged as a critical factor in job retention globally. In the United States, 42% of workers who reported negative job impacts on mental health are actively seeking new positions. Similar patterns appeared in the United Kingdom (43%), Germany (46%), and Italy (33%), revealing consistent trends across regions that employers cannot ignore.
Trust in employers versus governments showed significant gaps worldwide. While German workers showed high trust in employers at 44%, other countries also demonstrated notable employer trust metrics, with 52% of U.K. workers, 50% of U.S. workers, and 32% of Italian workers saying they mostly or completely trust their employers to fulfill responsibilities to workers.
The research also examined social determinants of health across regions. U.S. workers rated their economic stability highly (52%), comparable to German workers (51%). Meanwhile, Italian workers were more likely to rate both their social context (46%) and economic stability (45%) as merely fair, indicating regional differences in worker perceptions of wellbeing.
According to the report, educational access also varies significantly by region, with 68% of German workers rating their access to education as good or excellent, highlighting disparities in workforce development opportunities among the surveyed countries.
The study emphasizes that organizations overlooking untapped talent within their teams risk losing not just people but also “the potential for greater innovation, resilience, and long-term success,” as the report indicates workers are ready to learn and grow but often find their skills unused and advancement paths blocked.
This initial research release marks the beginning of a six-part report series scheduled for publication later this year. The series will cover topics including what global workers want, trust relationships, access to good-paying jobs, skills mismatches, and financial security trends across all 16 countries studied.
The findings suggest employers who prioritize financial security, properly utilize workers’ skills, invest in upskilling, and foster respectful workplaces will have advantages in retention and productivity, regardless of their geographic location.
