People Element

AI adoption is up. Confidence in using it is not.

In 2026, AI usage among workers increased 13%. At the same time, employee confidence in using AI tools fell 18%. And while 76% of executives believe their employees are excited about AI, only 31% of employees say they actually are.

That gap is an engagement problem.

Employees who lack clear information about how AI will affect their roles become anxious, not excited. And when leadership has not communicated a concrete vision for how AI fits the organization's future, trust erodes on both sides.

The organizations navigating this well are not just rolling out tools. They are communicating transparently, aligning leadership around a clear AI strategy, and investing in training before uncertainty becomes disengagement.

AI is not going anywhere. The question is whether your employees feel equipped and informed enough to move forward with it.

Exit interviews come too late. By the time an employee resigns, the opportunity to retain them is already lost.

Stay interviews are proactive—they help you understand why employees stay, what they value, and what might cause them to leave before it's too late.

Here's why they matter:

72% of organizations rely on exit interviews. Only 28% use stay interviews.

Most companies gather feedback after it's too late to make a difference.
50% of employees are watching or actively looking for a new job.
Many aren't unhappy—they're just open to better offers. Stay interviews uncover hidden dissatisfaction.

3.3 million employees voluntarily quit their jobs in 2024.

That's 2.1% of the workforce. Stay interviews help you understand why before they walk out the door.

34% cite engagement and culture as their main reason for leaving.
Culture isn't a "nice to have"—it's a retention driver. Stay interviews reveal whether employees feel they belong.

Organizations prioritizing career development see 17 percentage points higher retention.

Stay interviews help you identify gaps in growth opportunities.
Well-recognized employees are 65% less likely to actively seek new jobs.
Stay interviews gauge whether employees feel appreciated.

The message is clear: proactive retention strategies work. Organizations that listen, respond, and adapt keep their talent—and thrive because of it.

Learn more about stay interview statistics:
https://pulse.ly/gtpdj7w8cu

Top 6 Statistics for Retention and Stay Interviews | People Element Discover 6 key stats that show why stay interviews are essential for reducing turnover, boosting engagement, and improving retention.

What really drives employee engagement? It's not what most leaders think.

Many believe compensation is the biggest driver. But data from hundreds of organizations reveal the real top 5:

- Growth & Development
- Company Communication
- Well-being
- Feeling Valued
- Employee Voice

When employees feel heard, supported, and valued—not just paid—engagement thrives.