Job Seekers Prioritize Workplace Culture Adaptation, Citing Perceived Unfairness

Why it matters locally: The findings from this national report could inform hiring practices and retention strategies for employers across South Dakota, impacting local businesses and government agencies as they seek to attract and retain talent in various sectors.

OKLAHOMA CITY, Sept. 9, 2026 – Most job seekers acknowledge the importance of adapting their personality to fit a workplace culture, though over half describe this expectation as unfair, according to a new report. The report found that 98% of job seekers consider adapting to workplace culture important. However, 54% of respondents believe this adaptation requirement is unfair. Two-thirds of job seekers indicated they have changed aspects of their personality to align with a workplace culture. This practice was more common among younger demographics, with Generation Z and millennials reporting the highest rates of such changes.