Employee sentiment fell in December

The Employee Motivation and Commitment Index fell for the third straight month, dropping 7 points to 111 in December in a broad-based decline. After a record high of 138 reached in June, the index ends the year just slightly above where it began in January.

Education services was the only sector that saw an increase in December, climbing 9 points to 133.

 Information had the biggest drop, falling 26 points to 116. Finance and insurance dropped for the fifth straight month, sliding nine points to 86. Although manufacturing fell six points to 186, it closed out the year near a record high of 192 set in November.

“The EMC Index has returned to about where it was last December.” said Dr. Mary Hayes, director of People and Performance Research at ADP Research. “Manufacturing remains a standout. Despite layoffs, workers in this sector have shown resilience, with the highest level of motivation and commitment of any sector in three years of data.”

The Employee Motivation and Commitment Index tracks how people think and feel about their jobs and employers. ADP Research collects data each month using a panel survey to gather a stratified, random panel sample of 2,500 U.S. workers. This month’s survey was fielded Dec. 2, 2024. By providing a real-time measure of the state of worker allegiance, this index can tell us whether people are flourishing in their jobs or detaching.

Beginning in Oct. 2024, sector indexes are measured using a three-month rolling average.

ADP Research publishes the EMC Index on the third Tuesday of every month. The next release will be Jan. 21, 2025. For EMC Index historical data, visit the ADP Research Data Lab.