In 2026, most workers are still languishing

Many workers are experiencing "languishing," a state of being stuck and disengaged at work, rather than flourishing. Research shows a majority of employees are languishing, with the percentage increasing in recent studies. Languishing is often correlated with burnout and is not always considered a mental illness. The study, led by Oscar Ybarra, aims to understand and address this pervasive workplace issue. Ybarra hopes to offer solutions to organizations and employees to move from languishing towards flourishing. Workplaces with high employee autonomy, strong support, and ethical standards tend to have more flourishing employees. Individual employees can also take steps, like reframing situations, reaching out for support, and resetting, to improve their well-being. These strategies are particularly important given the current challenging job market and other stressors. Having multiple coping strategies, improves an individual's ability to navigate workplace difficulties. While acknowledging the presence of ongoing workplace stress, having support systems can help people manage it more effectively. The findings suggest that companies and individuals can impact employee well-being.