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Now in its 16th year, the Alight U.S. Employee Mindset Study offers an in-depth look at how employees feel about their wellbeing and employee experience and what they expect from their employers at important inflection points in their lives, both at home and at work.
The overarching theme of this year’s study is that employees are feeling okay, but few are truly thriving. Financial pressure, healthcare costs and complexity and uncertainty about the future continue to weigh heavily on their minds.
Read the 2026 Alight U.S. Employee Mindset Study
Across healthcare, leaves of absence, finances and more, we learned that employees are struggling to feel confident in their decisions, secure in their ability to manage whatever life throws at them or even comfortable using the benefits provided by their employers.
Here are just a few of the eye-opening findings revealed in the 2026 Alight U.S. Employee Mindset Study.
Healthcare
Only 31% typically feel very confident when making health decisions
67% regretted a health care decision last year (up 6 pts from 2025 and 9 pts since 2024)
43% admit to delaying or avoiding medical care because it felt too difficult or confusing
Leave of Absence
36% didn’t take a leave that they needed
32% of those who didn’t take a needed leave say the process was too difficult
57% understand their employer’s leave benefits
Financial
45% worry the money they have or will save won’t last
1 in 2 feel their finances control their life
Only 27% would be able to cover more than six months of expenses if they lost their job
The underlying message of the 2026 U.S. Mindset Study is clear: employees crave support in the moments that matter. Offering relevant and diverse benefit programs is the first step. Employers that also pair digital convenience—including emerging AI-enabled guidance—with trusted human expertise and an environment that makes it safe and easy to use available resources can strengthen trust, improve wellbeing, enhance productivity and give people more reasons to stay and grow.
Read the 2026 Alight U.S. Employee Mindset Study
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