Celebrated for 139 years, May 1st finds Brazilian workers in 2025 enveloped in contradictory professional feelings, as recorded by a special Serasa survey. While discontent with wages and limited growth opportunities, respondents say they are satisfied with their current positions and optimistic about their career futures. Amid uncertainties generated by Artificial Intelligence, they don’t appear overly frightened by replacement by machines or technology. They fear the economy more.
“Our research reinforces that there’s significant room for companies to invest in employee development and appreciation,” evaluates Patricia Camillo, Serasa’s financial education specialist. “Employers or leaders who encourage growth and strengthen employee engagement will be more successful in talent retention,” she adds.
Future and retirement
Conducted by the Opinion Box Institute, the survey shows that 59% of workers feel optimistic about their professional future in the next five years, and 32% believe they’ll be able to retire comfortably despite increasingly restrictive legislation. 33%, however, consider it difficult to retire with financial stability.
The survey also indicates that 63% of respondents consider themselves satisfied or very satisfied with their current positions. However, compensation remains a concern: 68% report being dissatisfied with their salaries.
For those seeking new job opportunities, the search for better wages (32%) and better quality of life (27%) are the main motivators for job changes. Among challenges faced in current work environments, low pay and high workload stand out.
Financial education in the workplace
According to the study, 83% of respondents value employer-offered financial education programs as part of their professional development. Additionally, 86% believe participating in workplace finance courses contributes to more solid future planning, and 84% see this practice as essential for handling unexpected events.
“When workers have access to financial education, they gain more confidence to make important decisions about their lives and careers. Company support in this process is a differentiator that benefits everyone, as financially secure employees tend to be more engaged, productive, and resilient when facing challenges,” states Patrícia.
