Polish nationwide survey shows moderate job insecurity amid automation and AI adoption, with most workers feeling secure.
Moderate Insecurity Without Panic
Results indicate a moderate level of uncertainty – without signs of panic, but also without full calm.
71.6% Report Stable Employment
A decisive majority of respondents declare they are not afraid of losing their jobs this year. 71.6% of those surveyed indicated their employment is stable. According to Michał Pajdak from the ePsycholodzy platform, this result can be treated as a signal of relative stabilization of the labor market and a sense of control over the professional situation.
No Dominant Fear Benefits Organizations
Experts note that the absence of a dominant atmosphere of fear benefits organizational stability. Employees who feel secure are less likely to make decisions to change jobs solely out of fear, which limits staff turnover.
16.5% Fear Job Loss
16.5% of respondents admit the possibility of losing their job. According to the analysis authors, this is a moderate percentage. It does not indicate a crisis but points to an elevated level of social caution.
Uncertainty Concentrated in Specific Sectors
Uncertainty is primarily concentrated in specific sectors. These include industries undergoing intense technological and organizational changes, affecting energy-intensive and export-oriented sectors, selected retail segments, and companies feeling investment slowdown effects. In these areas, there is more talk of cost optimization, consolidation, or process automation.
Routine and Administrative Workers Most at Risk
Particular concerns may affect employees performing routine, administrative, and repetitive tasks, especially where automation and artificial intelligence solutions are being implemented.
Growing Concerns Among Specialists
Experts emphasize that anxiety increasingly affects not only low-wage workers but also specialists in sectors subject to automation. Technological change affects employment structure and raises questions about future skills required by employers.
11.9% Undecided About Job Security
11.9% of respondents cannot clearly determine if they fear losing their job. This lack of clear declaration may result from insufficient communication in companies, a volatile economic environment, or conflicting signals from the market.
External Factors Influence Insecurity
The state of uncertainty is particularly sensitive to external impulses. Information about production cuts, investment freezes, or staff reductions in one company can quickly affect sentiment in an entire region.
Industry and Regional Disparities Growing
The analysis points to the growing importance of differences between industries and regions. In some sectors, recruitment continues, while in others, hiring is suspended. If reductions occur, they are more often industry-specific than systemic.
Insecurity Stronger in Less Diversified Regions
Anxiety may be stronger in regions with less diversified labor markets, where one large plant or one industry dominates. In such places, any information about business restrictions translates into increased social tension.
Job Insecurity Related to Tenure
The level of concern also depends on tenure in a given organization. Employees with shorter tenure more frequently declare uncertainty than those with longer tenure.
No Macroeconomic Crisis Signals
From a macroeconomic perspective, there are currently no signs of a crisis. Projections for 2026 anticipate continued economic growth, and in 2026-2027, moderate unemployment of around 5.4-5.4% is expected.
Survey Methodology
The survey was conducted by UCE Research and ePsycholodzy.pl in the second half of February on a representative sample of 1,011 adult Poles.