Study: Job Anxiety Has Increased - Especially Among the Young

Every fourth person in Switzerland worries about their job, with one in ten considering it highly likely to lose their job within the next twelve months. This feeling is more prevalent among those under 30 than those over 55.

This is revealed by a representative survey commissioned by Angestellte Schweiz and conducted by DemoSCOPE. Over 1000 workers were surveyed about their fears of job loss and its causes, and whether their insecurity has increased due to geopolitical and technological changes. Twenty-four percent of respondents reported their feeling of insecurity has increased in the last twelve months.

Notably, the insecurity is not solely attributed to external factors. Global political conditions are not the main reason for this insecurity. It is chiefly corporate strategic decisions and the economic situation. Artificial intelligence and the digital revolution are also frequently cited as common causes of uncertainty.

The reasons are clear. Twenty-nine percent of respondents have recently experienced reorganisations in their own companies, 26% have faced layoffs, and 17% faced a hiring freeze. Twenty-four percent of employees in large companies (more than 250 staff) have witnessed the deployment of AI in their professional environment in the past year.

“Many employees do not see changes in the work world as opportunities but as burdens,” says Laure Fasel, Head of Communications at Angestellte Schweiz. “We expect companies to offer their employees transparent communication during times of change, as the unknown is often the most challenging aspect in transitional periods.”

The study shows higher insecurity among young people under 30. “We were quite surprised, since unemployment talk usually concerns those over 50. On the other hand, studies show it is increasingly difficult for young people to integrate into the job market after studies. Many initially have temporary contracts. Less responsible positions, such as internships, are often the first to be replaced by artificial intelligence,” Laure Fasel analyses.

Lifelong learning is viewed as the most effective countermeasure against insecurity, with 82% of respondents considering it relevant; reliable economic perspectives and a transparent corporate strategy are equally important.

Sixty-four percent cite retraining as a relevant solution - a clear signal questioning the future of certain jobs. Of those not worried about their job, 42% attribute their security to their job not being replaceable by AI. This is a clear message to companies and politicians: transformation succeeds only by investing in people, not just technology.

Angestellte Schweiz wants to do more than warn. Together with partners, the association has launched einen think tank on the future of work in the AI era with einstAIn.ch, bringing together employees, companies, academia, and politics to work out concrete answers to questions concerning many employees today. The association wants not only to comment on change but also shape it, in the interest of employees and businesses.

Job insecurity has consequences. Without trust, not only do feelings of safety and motivation decrease, but also collaboration, willingness to learn, and innovation suffer. Those who want to shape the work world of tomorrow must offer more than efficiency and technology: trust, perspectives, and corporate decisions that are not made at the expense of employees.

Press contact:

Angestellte Schweiz

Tanja Tanneberger Communications

tanja.tanneberger@angestellte.ch, +41 44 360 11 21

Laure Fasel Communications

laure.fasel@angestellte.ch, +41 44 360 11 28

DemoSCOPE AG

Elias Räber

elias.raeber@demoscope.ch, +41 41 375 42 67

Editor's note: Image rights belong to the respective publisher.