Trump’s policies are redefining workplace dynamics

Published: April 22, 2025 | by Brightmine

The uncertainty surrounding President Trump’s workplace-related policies is causing confusion and worry for HR professionals, business leaders and employees alike. But how are recent workplace policy shifts affecting workers specifically?

We commissioned a survey of 2,000 American people, of to find out. Our research focused on:

Immigration enforcement concerns
Appetite for DEI initiatives
Comfort-level with retaining current employment
Communication preferences from employers around policy changes

The resulting data – comprised of 1,188 employed Americans – reveals five key trends that HR leaders shouldn’t ignore.

1. Workers are feeling the impact of recent workforce policy shifts

Nearly half (49%) of U.S. workers say recent policy changes are affecting their daily work, citing concerns around:

Job security (11%)
Inability to focus on their tasks (14%)
Fears about sharing their feelings about the changes with their peers (16%)

However, unlike the Great Resignation, this uncertainty is not driving a workplace exodus. Americans are sticking it out in their current jobs regardless of how their employers respond to President Trump’s policies. Why? One key factor is financial pressure:

Almost two-thirds (64%) are planning to stay in their current role amid rising inflation rates and economic and labor market uncertainty
21% are choosing to shelter in their position regardless of any policy changes their employer makes

HR leaders should be paying close attention to this trend and what it means for their workforce now and in the future. Though lower voluntary turnover is typically a positive sign, retention driven by fear can have negative outcomes. Specifically, it could lead to lower engagement and reduced productivity.

Organizations also need to be cautious about the long-term impacts of their decisions. When the labor market stabilizes, dissatisfied or unengaged employees will feel more empowered to leave their jobs.

2. Expect greater scrutiny from job seekers

Of the 36% of U.S. workers in our research who said they are planning to, or are considering, leaving their jobs this year because of workplace policy shifts.

When looking for their next role, these job seekers stated they would be more rigorous in understanding their potential employer’s stance on these policies, including:

Asking for more clarity on company benefits (42%)
Ensuring employment policies are provided in writing (41%)
Reading the employee handbook more closely (41%)

Additionally:

33% of respondents said they would inquire about remote work/flexible work options
21% said they’d clarify a company’s stance on DEI

3. Uncertainty around immigration is growing

Concerns are mounting among employees about President Trump’s policies on immigration. They’re particularly worried about the risk of heightened enforcement and potential deportations:

Approximately 61% are worried about the personal impact
26% expressed concern about their colleagues
16% expressed concern for their family members

Over half (52%) of employees said they want their employer to be completely transparent on the impact of stricter immigration policies on their workplace. Specifically, they want employers to provide guidance for affected employees, and training and preparedness plans for worksite raids. However, only 26% of employees surveyed trust their employer to be completely transparent.

Without clear guidance on immigration enforcement changes, employers risk undermining trust in leadership. As a result, employee confidence in the company’s direction can diminish, driving down employee morale and productivity

4. Employees choose DEI action over optics

Organizations across the U.S. are facing mounting pressure to scale back their DEI efforts. As a result, some employers are opting for a quieter approach – shifting the language of their diversity practices while continuing the same internal practices. But how is this impacting employee sentiment?

Nearly one-fifth (17%) of employed respondents would actively look for another job if their employer reduced its investment in DEI.
- This statistic jumps to 30% for Gen Z and 25% for Millennials, reinforcing the critical importance of a company’s commitment to DEI for younger workers
A quarter (26%) said they would feel more negative about their employer and it would make them rethink their organization’s core values if their company publicly announced a DEI rollback but continued internal practices.

When employed Americans were asked what DEI initiatives are most important for employers to prioritize, 52% said equal opportunity for all employees, while 47% said equal pay for everyone.

This data shows that employees want meaningful DEI progress–not just optics or rebranded terms that disguise a lack of true progress. It’s imperative that HR leaders help the C-suite recognize the link between true DEI commitment and high employee satisfaction, engagement and retention and work with senior leaders to ensure DEI efforts are engrained in company culture and not just to preserve its public image.

5. Younger workers are being hit hardest

Younger workers are particularly feeling the stress of recent workplace policy shifts:

One in five (19%) Millennials and almost a quarter (23%) of Gen Z employees said they’ve been scared to talk about their concerns at work because they don’t know how their colleagues feel
17% of Millennials and 13% of Gen Z said they’ve been distracted and not able to focus on their work
Almost a third of Gen Z (30%) and a quarter (25%) Millennials would actively look for another job if their employer reduced its investment in DEI
23% of Gen Z respondents and 19% of Millennials are anxious about the possibility of workplace raids and are looking to their employer for clear guidance and support

For employers with a higher population of younger workers, these preferences are especially important to be mindful of when communicating company policies. Younger workers are more likely to seek employers who align with their values and expectations.

Lessons for HR leaders

What this survey demonstrates is that employees want transparency, accountability and direction from their employers. While the first 100 days of the Trump administration have brought many policy updates and Executive Orders, the uncertainty is likely to extend much longer. Effective workplace communication is critical to cooperative working relationships, productivity, working conditions and workforce morale.

Keep up to date with employment law

HR leaders are facing a rapidly evolving legal landscape, and it can be a struggle to stay up-to-date and understand and comply with the frequent policy shifts at the state and local level. Our team of in-house subject matter experts are tracking these changes, explore their latest coverage.

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About the author

Brightmine

With more than 10,000 customers, Brightmine is a leading global provider of people data, analytics and insight – empowering HR leaders to deliver brighter business outcomes.

For more than two decades, Brightmine, formerly XpertHR, has continued to help HR leaders confidently navigate the evolving world of work through our unique combination of critical workforce data, AI-enabled technology, and trusted HR expertise.

Brightmine is a division of LexisNexis Data Services within RELX®, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools. RELX serves customers in 180+ countries with 35,000+ employees. Ticker: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.

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