# Compliment sandwiches are common at work

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/money/compliment-sandwiches-are-common-at-work/

> Indexed question in Money & Finance.

## Reading

Verasight surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults from August 12 to 18, 2026. In the past month, 42.5% of Americans gave or received feedback at work that put criticism between two compliments.

Another 23.9% say it never happened, and 23.7% did so one to three times. The shares cover all adults, including the 33.6% who are not currently employed.

## Topline

At your workplace over the past month, how often have you given OR received feedback that is structured in a positive-negative-positive sequence (i.e., feedback began with positive feedback, then negative feedback, and ended with positive feedback)?

Compliment sandwiches are common at work.

- I am not currently employed: 33.6%
- Never: 23.9%
- 1-3 times: 23.7%
- 4-6 times: 12.4%
- 7-9 times: 4.4%
- 13 or more times: 1.3%
- 10-12 times: 0.7%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-08-12 → 2026-08-18
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.2%
- Module: AOM Survey #2026-152
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-25](https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-25)

## Citation

AOM Omnibus, fielded August 12-18, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.2%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-25](https://reports.verasight.io/r/aom-2026#q-25)