Nearly 40 Per Cent of Employees Have Cried at Work, and Here's Why

Jakarta, VIVA – Workplace pressures in the modern era are no longer just about targets and deadlines. Economic uncertainty, fears of job losses, and personal emotional burdens also influence employees’ mental well-being.

As a result, the workplace is now not only a space for productivity but also a space for emotional release.

A recent survey reveals a rather surprising phenomenon: nearly 40 per cent of employees admit to having cried at work. This finding shows that emotional pressure in the workplace is becoming increasingly real and can no longer be considered a mere individual case.

Based on a survey of 1,018 adults in the United States published by the AI-based resume builder Resume Now, 39 per cent of employees admitted to having cried at least once at work. In detail, 25 per cent said they had cried once or twice, while 14 per cent admitted to having cried several times.

“Overall, these findings indicate that emotional pressure is no longer an isolated workplace issue but has become a defining characteristic of the modern employee experience,” the survey report said, as quoted by the Independent on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.

“This survey reflects a workforce that is physically present but emotionally struggling, with implications for productivity, morale, and long-term retention.”

The survey also revealed that more than half of employees feel anxious about losing their jobs, even without any performance issues or clear business reasons. Meanwhile, only 27 per cent of respondents feel secure in their positions and are not worried about losing their jobs.

Interestingly, historically, the rate of job losses has been relatively stable since the pandemic. However, data from the Federal Reserve updated to December 2025 shows that the number of workers who resigned is higher than in any period between June 2001 and August 2017.

In fact, in December 2025, the resignation rate was almost double the job loss rate. This condition indicates a fundamental dissatisfaction in the work environment.

Not surprisingly, 55 per cent of employees admitted to having vented about their jobs to colleagues, family, friends, or through social media.