Only one in four UK workers feel confident their job is safe from elimination, ADP Research finds

29 June, 2026

No region or market surveyed reports a majority of workers who feel their jobs are safe from elimination.
Workers who feel their jobs are secure are six times more likely to be fully engaged and twice as likely to stay with their employer.

United Kingdom, London, June 29 – Only 22% of workers globally strongly agree that their job is safe from elimination, according to ADP’s latest People at Work 2026 report. Despite relatively low unemployment in many markets, no country surveyed reports a majority of workers who feel confident about their job security. These findings, among others, emphasise the opportunity for employers to reimagine their talent strategies and provide clarity to their employees, as advances in AI and changing demographics bring new challenges and opportunities to the workforce.

UK workers are slightly more optimistic about job security than their global counterparts, with 25% strongly agreeing their role is safe from elimination, compared to 22% globally and 21% across Europe. Only France (26%) and Austria (27%) show a higher level of trust on the European continent. However, the data shows a sharp divide across the workforce. UK knowledge workers feel almost twice as secure in their jobs (34%) as those in repetitive roles (19%). Meanwhile, women in the UK are less confident (22%) than men (28%) in their long-term job security – the widest gender gap seen in Europe.

Jeff Phipps, General Manager, ADP UK and Northern Europe said: “The world of work is changing fast, and our findings reveal a gap between what the labour market is telling us and what employees are feeling. Employment is strong, but many UK workers are uncertain about what the future holds for their role. Only a quarter feel their job is safe from elimination, highlighting a shift in work. AI is playing a key role in this transformation. It enables people to move beyond routine tasks by improving accuracy and delivering insights, allowing greater focus on judgment, creativity, and human connection. Employers must invest in skills and future readiness, supported by data and research to build confidence".

Productivity and Retention Shaped by Job Security

Globally, the report finds that workers who feel their jobs are secure are twice as likely to say they have no intention of leaving. Job security is also closely linked to employee performance. Workers who feel their jobs are secure are six times more likely to be fully engaged and 3.3 times more likely to report high productivity.

Confidence in Job Security Varies Across Workforce in the UK and in the World

People working for mid-sized UK companies are by far the most confident (36%), well ahead of those at both small businesses (23%) and large corporations (22%), contrary to the trend seen in other European countries, where confidence typically grows in line with company size.

Confidence levels vary noticeably by age group in the UK, with workers aged 27 to 35 the most optimistic about their job security at 31%, ahead of younger people aged 18 to 26 at 25%. In contrast, confidence declines among older cohorts, falling to 22% for respondents aged 40 to 54 and reaching its lowest point at 21% among people aged 55 to 64, highlighting a clear generational divide in perceptions of job stability.

Finally, sector trends further highlight how perceptions of job security are shaped by industry context, with distinct patterns emerging globally and across Europe. At a global level, workers in finance and insurance are the most confident, with 29% believing their job is safe from elimination, followed by those in educational services at 27% and health care and social assistance at 26%. In Europe, the hierarchy shifts slightly, with health care and social assistance leading at 29%, ahead of educational services at 26%, while technology services and public administration follow at 24%, suggesting sector-specific dynamics are shaping perceptions of job stability across regions.

To view the latest People at Work 2026 Report, visit here

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About “People at Work 2026” Report Series Methodology

People at Work 2026 features survey findings derived from ADP Research's annual Global Workforce Survey of more than 39,000 working adults in 36 markets to uncover global workforce sentiment, an examination of how people are navigating the complexities of a changing world. The report presents worker sentiment data sifted by geography, job type, and other dimensions, providing employers with a fine-tuned and granular view of the global workforce that can be used to better understand their workforce and drive growth through data-driven talent decisions.

The 2025 Global Workforce Survey collected responses between July 21 and August 4, 2025, from a random sample, stratified by age and gender, of more than 39,000 working adults in 36 markets, to provide regional and market comparisons of worker sentiment. Respondents come from a wide variety of industries, educational backgrounds, on-site and remote work environments, work types, and skill sets. They represent a range of management and individual contributor roles, working for employers of all sizes.

To view the latest People at Work 2026, in addition to previous versions, visit here.

About ADP Research
The mission of ADP Research is to make the future of work more productive through data-driven discovery. Companies, workers, and policy makers rely on our finely tuned data and unique perspective to make informed decisions that impact workplaces around the world. To subscribe to monthly email alerts or obtain additional information about ADP Research, including employment and pay data, methodology, and a calendar of release dates, please visit https://www.adpresearch.com.

About ADP (NASDAQ: ADP)
ADP has been shaping the world of work with innovation and expertise for more than 75 years. As a global leader in HR and payroll solutions, ADP continuously works to solve business challenges for our clients and their workers, from simple, easy-to-use tools for small businesses to fully integrated platforms for global enterprises – and everything in between. Always Designing for People means we're focused on just that – people. We use our unmatched AI-driven insights and proven expertise to design innovative solutions that help people achieve greater success at work. More than 1.1 million clients across 140+ countries rely on ADP's exceptional service to support their people and drive their business forward. HR, Talent, Time Management, Benefits, Compliance, and Payroll. Learn more at uk.ADP.com

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ADP Media Contact:

Nicolas Swiatek
ADP International Services
nicolas.swiatek@adp.com