Only 25% of Australian workers feel their jobs are safe: ADP report

Only 25% of Australian workers strongly agree that their jobs are safe from job cuts, according to ADP Research’s People at Work 2026 report. 

The findings point to concerns about job security and how these could affect workers and employers.

The report examined workers’ experiences across 36 markets. Globally, only 22% of respondents strongly agreed that their jobs were safe from job cuts.

The findings show that many workers remain uncertain about their future at work, which could affect their confidence, career plans and relationships with their employers.

Job security concerns

The report found that concerns about job security were particularly common among lower-paid workers doing repetitive tasks and employees in junior positions.

Uncertainty about keeping a job can affect more than a worker’s income. It can also make it harder to plan for the future, manage personal finances and make career decisions.

For employers, this raises questions about how they communicate job changes, company plans and future opportunities to their staff.

Impact on engagement

The report found a link between job security and employee engagement. Workers who fear losing their jobs tend to be less engaged at work.

It also found that workers who felt secure in their jobs were twice as likely to say they had no plans to leave. They were also 2.5 times less likely to feel overloaded or experience negative stress.

These findings highlight how job security can influence employees’ willingness to stay with an organisation, their stress levels and their overall experience at work.

Building confidence

Australian employers can help build employee confidence through clear communication, supportive managers and better information about career growth opportunities.

While companies cannot always guarantee that jobs will remain unchanged, explaining business decisions and possible changes can help employees understand what to expect.

Employers can also review workloads, offer training and make career opportunities within the organisation easier to understand.

The report highlights job security as an important part of keeping employees engaged and encouraging them to stay. 

For Australian employers, addressing workers’ concerns could help create a more confident and stable workforce.