What is ‘career cushioning’ and why are more doing it?

This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.

NEARLY HALF OF AMERICAN WORKERS ARE BUILDING A BACKUP PLAN FOR THEIR CAREERS — EVEN THOUGH MOST FEEL SECURE IN THEIR CURRENT JOBS.

A NEW SURVEY OF 2,000 FULL-TIME WORKERS FROM TRIPLETEN FOUND 48 PERCENT ARE ‘CAREER CUSHIONING’ BY EXPLORING OTHER OPTIONS IN CASE THEIR PRESENT JOB DOESN’T MEET THEIR EXPECTATIONS.

IN FACT, 77 PERCENT OF WORKERS HAVE ACTUALLY STARTED TO PREPARE FOR THEIR BACKUP CAREER, JUST IN CASE. 

THE STUDY, CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH, FOUND NINE IN 10 HAVE STAYED IN THE SAME JOB FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS — BUT NEARLY HALF SAY THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES HAVE CHANGED SIGNIFICANTLY.

AND FOUR IN FIVE HAVE LEARNED NEW SKILLS, INCLUDING HOW TO USE A-I AT WORK.

SO... DO YOU HAVE A BACKUP CAREER IN MIND? LET US KNOW!

Research methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 American full-time workers who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by TripleTen and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Sept. 4 and Sept. 11, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.