Americans are still frustrated with inflation, even though wages have caught up and prices are stabilizing in the states, Business Insider reports. Despite economic improvements like low unemployment and rising salaries, many continue to feel the pinch of high prices. In fact, inflation remains Americans’ top concern, ranking above crime, immigration, gun violence, and more, as revealed in a survey by Pew Research Centre.

But the frustration isn’t just about the financial impact — it’s about the emotional cost. The real issue lies in how inflation forces employees to navigate uncomfortable negotiations for better pay. A new National Bureau of Economic Research study shows that inflation has forced American workers to confront difficult conversations with their employers about raises, leading to a sense of anxiety and conflict. Most prefer to avoid conflict, leaving them with smaller pay increases that don't fully keep up with rising costs. In a survey of 3k workers, only 21% sought a bigger raise to match inflation, while the majority preferred to avoid the stress of conflict with their employers.

This strain is a big reason why, even as the US economy recovers, people still feel worse off. Even as the economy improves, the conflict of negotiating for better pay could keep weighing on people’s well-being — even their performance at work, which could possibly instigate frustration and conflict in the workplace. If not, it may result in many to hop between jobs in search for more competitive salaries.

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