America's Greatest Workplaces 2026

From culture and benefits to leadership and flexibility, companies on this list define what makes a workplace truly exceptional

- BY LARRY PRINTZ & EILEEN FALKENBERG-HULL

The Big Stay

Workers are more satisfied, but warning signs loom

Despite artificial intelligence rollouts across the workplace and shrinking teams intended to take advantage of technology gains, Americans say that they largely remain satisfied with their jobs.

New data from Plant-A Insights for Newsweek's America's Greatest Workplaces 2026 ranking revealed that job security remains the strongest driver of employee satisfaction, cited by 80 percent of workers. Workers are craving stability-hiring has cooled, resignation rates have declined and workers seem more interested in holding onto a dependable position than gambling on a new opportunity.

"Recognizing what employees prioritize in the modern workplace is no longer just a retention strategy, but a fundamental business imperative," Manuel Moerbach, CEO of Plant-A Insights, told Newsweek. "Our study shows that four in five workers value job stability over risky career jumps, closely followed by a positive working environment, strong compensation and mental well-being.

Employers who actively recognize and address these evolving needs are best positioned to compete for top talent." But BambooHR's Chief Legal Officer and Head of HR Jonathan Vaas sees the so-called "Big Stay" as a larger, and less positive, indication of where the job market is headed. "Many workers aren't staying because they are fulfilled-they're staying because a cooling job market and AI uncertainty have made risk-taking unviable. The Big Stay, in this state, isn't sustainable," he warns.