Another 19% of workers said they feel less secure in their job than they did a year ago.
“When Canadians are not confident they could replace their income if their job situation changed, carrying debt can feel much more precarious. A job loss, reduction in hours or change in pay can quickly alter what a household can afford, particularly when there is not much room in the budget to absorb the change,” Bazian said.
AI adds to uncertainty over future careers
Artificial intelligence is also influencing how workers assess their employment prospects.
More than four in 10 Canadians, or 42%, worry AI could negatively affect their employment or income. Among working Canadians, 17% worry it could make some of their skills less valuable, 16% fear it could reduce their income, hours or earning potential, and 15% are concerned it could reduce job opportunities in their field.
For employers investing in AI, those concerns add another dimension to retention and workforce planning. Employees are not only weighing whether another job is worth the financial risk, but also how secure their existing skills and career paths may be as work changes.