Why ‘shift sulking’ may be 2026’s next big work trend

As we count down to the last days of the year, we are looking ahead to what may be one of the next big work trends of 2026: shift sulking.

Read on to find out what it is, and what to know about it heading into the new year.

What is shift sulking?

“Shift sulking is the moment when hourly workers arrive already depleted because the conditions surrounding their work—unpredictable schedules, inconsistent hours, and rising demands—are simply unsustainable,” says Silvija Martincevic, CEO of Deputy, a workforce management platform for hourly workers.

“Because millions of shifts run through our platform every week, Deputy sees this deep-seated strain in the data well before it makes headlines,” Martincevic adds.

According to Martincevic, if you look closely the next time you’re at the grocery store, coffee shop, hospital, or convenience store, you’ll see it. And it’s not hard to spot: workers stretched thin, managing difficult customers and understaffed teams.

The difference between a worker who feels supported and one who’s simply trying to get through the day is written on their face, she says.

What, if anything, does this tell us about the current state of the economy?

“[At a time when] 31% of U.S. workers report feeling detached, ‘shift sulking’ is a clear reminder that the strength of our economy is inseparable from the stability of the shift worker,” says Martincevic. “That’s not simply a retention challenge. It’s a productivity challenge that limits our collective potential.”

According to data from Deputy, in states where stable scheduling is the norm, frontline worker happiness reaches 98%, compared to just 60% where it’s unpredictable.

And companies should be paying attention to this data, as studies show engaged workers perform better.

Why shift sulking may be one of the big workplace trends of 2026

In today’s 24/7 gig economy, more Americans are doing shift work and taking on multiple jobs, or so-called poly-employment, to make ends meet as they grapple with rising costs and higher inflation.

“We don’t see shift sulking as a temporary issue; it’s the human cost of deeper structural friction in today’s labor market—and all indicators point to it intensifying in 2026,” Martincevic says. “Businesses are operating leaner, asking teams to deliver the same output despite tighter staffing and volatile demand. That pressure falls squarely on the frontline.”

According to Deputy’s Better Together report, while AI can automate tasks and improve visibility, technology alone won’t solve the problem—that demands structural change that gives workers what they want: predictable schedules, balanced workloads, and transparent communication.

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