This word sums up how many workers are feeling these days, Glassdoor says
Employee Fatigue on the Rise Due to AI, Politics, and Economy, Glassdoor Report Shows
Recent shifts in AI-driven technology, political turmoil, and economic instability have left many U.S. employees feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, according to a new report from Glassdoor.
The job search firm has identified “fatigue” as its 2025 word of the year, based on the significant increase in mentions of the word within its online community. Glassdoor reported a 41% surge in the use of the term “fatigue” in 2025 compared to the previous year.
When surveyed about the impact of current events on their work energy, 78% of professionals admitted to feeling drained. This sense of exhaustion has persisted, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by workers in today’s environment.
Economic concerns have also weighed heavily on employees, with many expressing frustration over stagnant wages that fail to keep up with inflation. Mentions of “stagflation,” a term describing high prices and weak economic growth, have tripled compared to the previous year.
These worries align with the growing public apprehension about the rising costs of essential goods and services, such as food and housing.
The conversation around AI’s impact on the job market has been a prominent topic among Glassdoor users. Mentions of “agentic,” referring to AI bots implemented in various industries like retail and travel, have surged by over 2,200% in the past year as employees adapt to new AI tools.
Political discussions have also infiltrated the workplace, with mentions of “inauguration” spiking by 875% compared to 2024. The report indicates that even workers who typically avoid political topics have found themselves engaged in these conversations.
