New research from 4 Corner Resources uncovers a workforce that feels stable today but uncertain about long-term career security.
ORLANDO, Fla., 2025 – 4 Corner Resources (4CR), a national staffing and recruiting firm, today released the findings from its Q4 2025 Employee Mindset Survey, a nationwide study examining how U.S. workers feel about job satisfaction, job security, mobility, financial stability, and the evolving expectations shaping today’s workplace.
The data paints a mixed picture: employees feel confident in their current roles and overwhelmingly satisfied with their employers, yet many remain uneasy about the broader job market. Workers are “job-hugging” at historic levels, choosing stability over risk as concerns about a slowing economy and shrinking opportunities grow.
Key findings
- Workers feel secure today, but anxious about tomorrow.
- 47% are anxious about their future place in the job market.
- 77% feel secure in their current job, yet long-term fears linger due to economic uncertainty.
- Poor market and economic conditions (28%) are viewed as the biggest threat to future employment.
- Job mobility is at a low point.
- Only 9% of employees are actively job hunting.
- 68% plan to stay with their current employer for at least three years.
- High stability benefits retention but may signal a drop in motivation to pursue new growth opportunities.
- Workers want flexibility, even at the cost of pay.
- Nearly half (49%) would take a pay cut for a fully remote job.
- Younger workers express the strongest preference for remote or hybrid options.
- 43% currently work fully onsite, rising to 49% among Gen X, but only 31% among Gen Z.
- Employees believe their pay is fair, but many are financially vulnerable.
- 80% believe they earn average or above-average pay for their location.
- More than one-third couldn’t cover their living expenses for more than 3 months without a job.
- Financial fragility is most pronounced among Gen Z, with nearly half having less than three months of savings.
To see the full survey results, visit https://www.4cornerresources.com/surveys/q4-2025-employee-mindset/.
A workforce prioritizing stability and trust
The survey highlights employees who are satisfied and committed to their employers yet increasingly uneasy about the long-term job landscape. Flexibility and trust have become central to retention, with workers viewing remote or hybrid options as part of total compensation, not an added perk.
“Today’s workforce wants stability, flexibility, and trust. Employees are committed and generally happy where they are, but uneasy about the broader market,” said Pete Newsome, 4 Corner Resources President. “The challenge for companies is to maintain that loyalty by addressing financial strain and the growing demand for autonomy.”
Generational differences
The survey reveals notable splits across age groups:
- Gen Z is the least tied to traditional in-office expectations and the most likely to pursue remote-first opportunities.
- Gen X shows the greatest preference for onsite work and is twice as likely as Gen Z to stay with their employer for five years or more.
- Financial vulnerability is highest among younger workers, despite strong job satisfaction.
These insights give employers a closer look at the values and pressures shaping each segment of the workforce.
Methodology
The Employee Mindset Survey was conducted by 4 Corner Resources in October 2025 among 500 full-time U.S. employees ages 18 to 60 with annual household incomes of $50,000 or more. Respondents represented all U.S. regions (51% male, 49% female). The online survey gathered insights into job satisfaction, job security, career outlook, and employee preferences regarding flexibility, compensation, and long-term stability.
About 4 Corner Resources
Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Orlando, Florida, 4 Corner Resources is a nationally recognized staffing and recruiting firm specializing in contract staffing, contract-to-hire, direct hire, executive search, and temporary staffing across key industries, including IT, Marketing & Creative, Accounting & Finance, Healthcare, HR, Hospitality, Call Center, and Architecture & Engineering. 4CR has been named to Forbes’ list of America’s Best Professional Recruiting Firms and is consistently rated the top staffing agency headquartered in Central Florida. Visit www.4cornerresources.com to learn more.
Media Contact
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