The research found that 44.5% of employees reported a positive six-month outlook, down from 46% in July and almost hitting June’s all-time low of 44%.

Glassdoor said many traditional ‘white collar’ industries saw confidence erode, including financial services, which dropped one point, IT ( 0.9 ), insurance ( 0.4 ) and consulting ( 0.3 ).

Healthcare fell below 50% confidence, dropping 1.4 points month on month.

There were also steep year-on-year declines in construction and real estate, down five points and 2.8 points respectively.

Senior-level employees had the sharpest drop in confidence, down 2.9 points since July, which Glassdoor said could show potential caution in hiring and investment decisions.

The index is based on Glassdoor employee ratings of their employers’ six-month business outlook (rated as ‘positive’, ‘neutral’ or ‘negative’) each month, re-weighted to account for changes in the platform and to match a nationally representative mix of employee ratings by industry.

Data presented at the industry and seniority level are three-month trailing averages, while data for August 2025 is updated through to 20th August.

Glassdoor’s chief economist Daniel Zhao said: “Employee confidence is hovering near historic lows, with economic uncertainty and job security fears casting a long shadow over the workforce.

“The decline in healthcare sentiment is particularly concerning, given its role as a stabilising force in the labour market. Additionally, with senior leaders growing more pessimistic, we may be seeing early signs of pullbacks in hiring and investment.”