Employee sentiment fell in November

The Employee Motivation and Commitment Index fell for the second month, dropping 13 points to 118 in November.

Several sectors have weakened after setting highs over the summer. Finance and insurance dropped to 95 this month, off 23 points from its record high of 118 in July. Professional, scientific, and technical services peaked at 129 in August but has fallen every month since, reaching 112 in November.

Two sectors bucked the November trend. Manufacturing hit a new high of 192, and transportation and warehousing rose for the third straight month to 162, approaching its July record of 165.

“As the holiday season approaches, it is good to see manufacturing and transportation/warehousing increase on the EMC Index,” said Dr. Mary Hayes, director of People and Performance Research at ADP Research. “It might be a sign of more motivated workers in our favorite airports and stores.”

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 Nov. 4th through the 5th. 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 as a three-month rolling average.

ADP Research publishes the EMC Index on the third Tuesday of every month. The next release will be Dec. 17. For EMC Index historical data, visit the ADP Research Data Lab.