Is Your Manager Squeezed? The Hidden Crisis in the 2025 NWLB Workforce Report

• anshuman dwivedi
• February 23, 2026
• 0 Comments

In an era defined by rapid technological shifts and a widening skills gap, the definition of “productivity” is undergoing a radical transformation. It is no longer just about the output per hour; it is about the human potential realized through engagement, well-being, and continuous growth.

We are proud to announce the publication of the 2025 State of Global Workforce Report, authored by Yachika Anand. This landmark report from No Worker Left Behind (NWLB) serves as both a wake-up call and a strategic roadmap for leaders, policymakers, and workers across the United States and beyond.

The findings are clear: we are standing at a crossroads between a “survival” mindset that drains the economy and a “success” model that presents a trillion-dollar opportunity.

The Hidden Crisis: The Economic Cost of Disengagement

For decades, the American workforce has been the engine of global innovation. However, the 2025 Report reveals a sobering reality: global employee engagement has slipped to just 21%.

In the U.S., while engagement figures often hover slightly higher than the global average, the “quiet quitting” epidemic and the “squeezed manager” syndrome are taking a massive toll. The report estimates that this lack of engagement costs the global economy approximately $438 billion annually in lost productivity, high turnover, and healthcare expenses related to burnout.

When workers are merely “surviving”—doing the bare minimum to get through the day without a sense of purpose or support—the friction within the system creates a drag on every sector, from manufacturing to high-tech.

The “Squeezed” Middle: Why Managers are the New Vulnerable Class

One of the 2025 State of Global Workforce Report’s most striking findings involves the changing role of the manager. Manager engagement has dropped to 27%, a record low. Caught between executive mandates for higher ROI and employee needs for flexibility and mental health support, managers are burning out at unprecedented rates. At NWLB, we believe that if we leave our managers behind, we leave our entire workforce behind.

The Trillion-Dollar Opportunity: Redefining Productivity

The 2025 State of Global Workforce Report doesn’t just diagnose the problem; it quantifies the solution. If organizations can bridge the engagement gap and move from a survival-centric model to a human-centric one, the rewards are staggering.

The report highlights a $9.6 trillion opportunity for the global GDP. For U.S. businesses, this means that investing in “worker-first” strategies isn’t just a moral imperative—it’s the most lucrative business strategy of the decade.

How Success Redefines Productivity

In the old model, productivity was: Output / Hours Worked.

In the 2025 model, productivity is: (Skill + Engagement + Well-being) x Technology.

When workers feel supported by their organization to gain the skills required for changing work requirements (a key pillar of the NWLB mission), their productivity doesn’t just increase—it multiplies. The report finds that employees who feel their employer cares about their well-being are 69% less likely to search for a new job and significantly more likely to contribute innovative ideas.

Key Findings: A Snapshot of the 2025 Report

As you dive into the full report, here are the three major pillars that every leader and worker should keep on their radar:

1. The Well-being/Productivity Link

Only 33% of employees report that they are “thriving” in their lives overall. The report proves that “thriving” is a prerequisite for high performance. Organizations that treat mental health and work-life balance as “perks” rather than core business functions are seeing lower ROI on their human capital.

2. The AI Optimism vs. Training Gap

There is a massive disconnect between AI potential and AI practice. While over half of the workforce has experimented with AI, only 14% use it daily. Workers are generally optimistic about AI’s ability to reduce drudgery, but they feel a “support deficit.” Approximately 42% of workers feel they lack the organizational backing to develop the skills needed for an AI-integrated future.

3. The Demand for Skills-Based Mobility

The report reinforces the NWLB mission: the degree-based hiring model is failing. Both employers and employees are shifting toward skills-based hiring. However, the infrastructure to support this transition—re-skilling programs, micro-credentials, and internal mobility paths—is still in its infancy.

No Worker Left Behind: Our Call to Action

At No Worker Left Behind, our mission has always been to ensure that every individual, regardless of their background or current role, has the resources to thrive in a knowledge-based economy. The 2025 State of Global Workforce Report provides the data we need to advocate for a more resilient, equitable, and productive workforce.

What can you do today?

• For Business Leaders: Move from a “command and control” style to a coaching model. Invest in your managers, as they are the primary drivers of employee engagement.
• For Policymakers: Support initiatives that fund lifelong learning and bridge the gap between education and industry demand.
• For Workers: Take ownership of your “upskilling journey.” Use resources like the NWLB Knowledge Hub to stay ahead of the curve in AI and digital literacy.

Conclusion: Moving from Survival to Success

The 2025 State of Global Workforce Report is more than just a collection of statistics; it is a manifesto for the future of work. We can continue down the path of disengagement and “quiet quitting,” or we can seize the trillion-dollar opportunity by putting the human back at the center of productivity.

As we release this report, we invite you to join the conversation. Let’s build a future where the American dream is accessible to everyone through skill-building, community support, and a shared commitment to leaving no worker behind.

[Download the Full 2025 State of Global Workforce Report Here]

About No Worker Left Behind (NWLB)

No Worker Left Behind is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to empowering workers through upskilling, community support, and thought leadership. We partner with corporations, educators, and policymakers to create sustainable solutions for the modern workforce. Learn more about our mission.