Employee Trust Linked to Workplace Engagement
New ADP research shows that trust in leadership and coworkers significantly boosts employee engagement levels.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Employment
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ADP research finds that employees who trust their leadership are 41% more likely to be engaged, while coworker trust increases engagement likelihood by 60%. Currently, only 30% of employees are reported as fully engaged in their workplace.
Why it matters
Low trust in leadership is directly correlated with higher voluntary employee turnover, with a 1% drop in engagement increasing the likelihood of attrition by 45%.
A 1% drop in full engagement is linked to a 45% increase in voluntary attrition risk. ADP provides human capital services for over 1 million clients across 140 countries.
The players
Maria Black
She serves as the president and CEO of ADP and has been with the company since 1996.
ADP
This company provides payroll and human capital management services to over 1 million clients in 140 countries.
The details
ADP CEO Maria Black utilizes internal listening sessions with leaders and employees to cultivate trust and maintain engagement. The organization, which manages payroll and human capital systems globally, measures engagement as a metric intrinsically dependent on worker trust in management.
Timeline
Maria Black began her employment at ADP in 1996.
Maria Black became president and CEO of ADP in 2023.
Maria Black spoke at a summit in California in October 2026.
Macro View
This data reflects the ongoing correlation between workplace trust and organizational performance metrics identified by ADP. The current findings mirror historical patterns where engagement levels act as a primary indicator of long-term corporate stability.
Employees may see increased emphasis on internal feedback sessions as firms look to lower turnover costs. Individuals can assess their own workplace engagement as a factor in their professional security and potential career longevity.
The takeaway
Building trust within a team is a measurable strategy to reduce the likelihood of voluntary attrition. Professionals can prioritize transparency and open communication in their own roles to support higher levels of personal engagement.
Further reading
For more on workplace trends, explore the Employment section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fortune.
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