New Blackhawk Network Study Reveals 7 in 10 Employees are Quietly Planning Their Exit

Research shows widespread dissatisfaction among workers despite stable quit rates, suggests lack of engagement and recognition programs could lead to productivity loss and attrition

Global branded payments leader Blackhawk Network (BHN) today unveiled new research on the current state of employee engagement and provided a grim look at current levels of workplace satisfaction. According to BHN’s Employee Engagement study, 87% of employees surveyed have concerns regarding their current employment and 68% of employees reported feeling undervalued at work, highlighting a growing disconnect between employees and their employers.

U.S. employee engagement hit an epic 11-year low in 2024—a trend known as “The Great Detachment.” With fewer opportunities available, this disengagement and dissatisfaction has led to “The Great Stay,” where employees remain in their roles only due to a lack of alternatives. However, BHN’s research found that 7 in 10 employees are actively seeking new opportunities, signaling that this period of stability for employers may soon give way to increased turnover.

“Employees are the heart of any organization, and even in an employer-favorable market, showing employees they're valued is important for long-term business health,” said Jeff Haughton, SVP, Incentives, Corporate Development & Strategy, BHN. “Strategic rewards and recognition programs boost loyalty, productivity, and retention. Yet, the research shows that fewer than half of companies offer rewards and recognition programs. When employees feel overlooked, that disconnect can lead to severed ties once the job market shifts in their favor—making it much harder for employers to rebuild trust and retain top talent.”

Additional topline findings from the research include:

• Recognition drives loyalty and performance: Sixty-eight percent of employees surveyed feel more loyal to their employer when rewarded for their contributions, while 66% say timely recognition improves their focus on achieving goals. Despite this, BHN’s Post-Holiday Research found that only 45% of employees received holiday recognition from their employers in 2024—a 5% decrease from the previous year and a huge miss for employers.
• Loyalty is tied to pay: Compensation and benefits remain the top factors employees consider when evaluating potential employers, emphasizing the importance of aligning offerings with employee expectations. Sixty-eight percent of employees surveyed stated that a higher salary would increase their loyalty to their employer, reinforcing the importance of fair compensation in retaining top talent.
• Pay influences RTO willingness: Sixty-one percent of employees surveyed indicated that a pay increase would make them more willing to work in a physical workspace, highlighting the role of financial incentives in return-to-office (RTO) decisions. However, despite return to office mandates, the workplace landscape has evolved, with a mix of hybrid, remote, and in-person employees now the norm. Employers must ensure their engagement and recognition strategies effectively reach a dispersed workforce, regardless of where they work.
• Gift cards remain a preferred reward: Smart employers use gift cards to recognize employees for milestone celebrations, performance achievements, and everyday appreciation, making them a flexible and valued reward option. Seventy-five percent of employees surveyed want to receive gift cards for Employee Appreciation Day on March 7, 2025, reinforcing their appeal as a meaningful way to show recognition.
  • Physical vs. digital preferences: Seventy-nine percent want physical gift cards, while 50% want digital options. Given the option to indicate more than one preference, some respondents favored one type over the other, while many were open to either option. This highlights the need for flexibility in reward offerings to accommodate diverse employee preferences.
• Timeliness matters: Two-thirds (66%) of employees surveyed want to receive their rewards within one week of the achievement or milestone being recognized. Delays diminish the impact, with a third of employees saying a reward loses value if given more than one week later, and 25% reporting it loses value even within one week.
• Professional growth opportunities are in demand: As skills-based hiring and AI-driven recruiting continue to evolve, they remain imperfect solutions for closing workforce gaps. The research found 17% of employees surveyed want more opportunities to grow professionally, highlighting the demand for upskilling initiatives that help HR teams develop existing talent. Investing in current employees strengthens productivity and loyalty, ultimately boosting retention and providing a more cost-effective approach to filling skill gaps.
• Shifting workforce demographics are reshaping recognition expectations: With Millennials and Gen Z projected to make up over half of the workforce in 2025, businesses must adapt their strategies to align with these generations’ evolving preferences. Gen Z, in particular, values more peer-to-peer recognition and appreciates acknowledgment for personal milestones like birthdays and work anniversaries.

“Investing in rewards and recognition programs can deliver measurable returns by improving employee engagement, productivity, and retention while reducing the high costs of attrition,” said Haughton. “When employees feel valued for their contributions, they are more motivated and focused on achieving their goals. This is especially important as Gen Z enters the workforce in greater numbers. Companies that invest in recognition programs aligned with these next-generations needs are investing in their future success.”

To learn more, visit www.BHN.com.

About Blackhawk Network (BHN)

Today, through BHN’s single global platform, businesses of all kinds can tap into the world’s largest network of branded payment solutions. BHN helps businesses grow revenue, increase loyalty, motivate and reward their teams, disburse funds and engage consumers. Branded payment solutions include the issuance and distribution of gift cards, egifts, corporate payouts and rewards, along with the technology to deliver these products in seamless, integrated ways. BHN’s network spans the globe with more than 400,000 consumer touchpoints. Learn more at BHN.com.

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