Shift Workers See Rising Job Satisfaction

Deputy’s Shift Pulse Report (June 30, 2026) shows 78.9 % of U.S. shift workers felt positive at shift end, up from 78.48 % in 2025. Unhappiness fell to 5.9 % from 6.6 %, the lowest in four years. Australian hospitality posted an 82.91 % positive rating.

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Consumer-confidence surveys from the University of Michigan, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Conference Board show rising financial anxiety. Deputy attributes the divergent mood to generational turnover and heightened expectations for scheduling, pay and appreciation.

Shift Workers Report Rising Job Satisfaction Despite Gloomy Consumer Sentiment, Survey Finds

• Sector (U.S.): Hospitality 82.98 % positive, retail 82.62 %; healthcare 72.89 %; gambling 100 % positive; firearms stores and cafés >89 %. Generations: Alpha 88.88 %, Gen Z 78.42 %.

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• Australian hospitality: cafés 85.77 %, bars 83.11 %; Alpha 87.23 % happy, Gen Z 83.95 % happy but 6.32 % unhappy; ACT 85.28 % positivity.

Hospitality workers among Australia’s happiest

Higher morale links to lower turnover and better service. Deputy’s analysis points to reliable scheduling, equitable pay and visible appreciation as primary levers. Sectors with high emotional labor, understaffing or erratic rosters risk disengagement and future labor shortages.

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Deputy’s CEO said the findings reflect a significant workforce change driven by generational shifts. The CTO warned that macro-economic pressures persist beyond clock-in time, underscoring the need for stable schedules and supportive teams. Report authors warn that neglecting scheduling reliability, fair pay and appreciation can push workers toward neutrality.

Hospitality workers among Australia’s happiest

Analysts flag the growing “okay” segment—now 15.2 % of respondents—as a pool of disengaged employees who may later reduce productivity or increase turnover. Cost-of-living pressures, poly-employment and unpredictable rosters remain stressors, especially for younger workers and those in healthcare.

Hospitality workers among Australia’s happiest

The U.S. and Australian surveys share methodology but differ in scope; the U.S. report offers detailed sub-sector and state data, while the Australian analysis focuses on hospitality and regional trends. Neither source provides an independent reliability rating.

Hospitality workers among Australia’s happiest

• “This result comes at a time of significant workforce change,” — Silvija Martincevic, CEO, Deputy

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• “Macroeconomic pressure doesn’t clock off when a shift starts,” — Ciaran Hale, CTO, Deputy

Hospitality workers among Australia’s happiest

• “Workplace morale stays high when businesses focus on reliable scheduling, equitable pay, and meaningful appreciation,” — Deputy, Shift Pulse Report

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• “The improvement in worker sentiment, while genuine, remains modest and is characterized by an expanding neutral segment.” — Deputy report authors

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Deputy will host the Pub Leaders Summit on 13 July at the Hyatt Regency Sydney, featuring panels on team culture, psychosocial hazards and mental health. The summit aims to turn the report’s insights into actionable strategies for reducing neutral sentiment and boosting retention across shift-based sectors.

Hospitality workers among Australia’s happiest