Worried About Losing Your Job in 2024? You're Not Alone

A new survey from MyPerfectResume found that 85% of employees fear losing their job in 2024, with 50% saying they were a little worried and 35% saying they were definitely worried.

Other key findings from MyPerfectResume’s 2024 Workplace Trends Survey, which polled 1,867 U.S.-based respondents this past October, also reflect a not-so-positive outlook from job seekers for 2024:

Eight in 10 respondents (78%) expect a recession in the U.S. in 2024.
69% believe that competition for jobs will increase this year.
Nearly half (45%) predict a reduction in remote job openings.
Eight in 10 respondents (78%) fear losing their jobs due to the growth of artificial intelligence in 2024.
62% expect the labor market will be more stressful than in previous years.
40% predict more people will suffer job burnout in 2024.

“The 2024 workplace landscape promises a dynamic blend of challenges and opportunities. To succeed, workers and employers alike must recognize that adaptability is the name of the game while striking a balance between addressing challenges and seizing opportunities will determine the winners,” said Kellie Hanna, a career expert at MyPerfectResume. “Navigating this complex terrain will demand more than just resilience; it will require a high degree of professionalism and a strategic vision.”

The survey also covered thoughts around the gig economy, returning to the office, and recruitment trends. Key findings include:

67% think the gig economy will continue to expand in 2024.
Almost nine in 10 people (87%) believe more companies will introduce return-to-office (RTO) policies in 2024 than in 2023.
72% think there will be a higher demand for specialists this year.
61% expect recruitment processes to be longer in 2024.
69% of respondents agree or strongly agree that more people will quit their jobs this year if they don’t consider their salaries rewarding.
At the same time, 68% say employers must pay more to retain workers in 2024.
75% of respondents are convinced there will be pay raises next year.

“These insights lead to several conclusions. First, it’s evident that salary considerations remain a critical factor in job satisfaction and retention. Employers who fail to offer competitive salaries may risk losing valuable talent to competitors willing to pay more,” MyPerfectResume says in the survey report. “Second, the data highlights the potential for increased negotiation power among workers in 2024. As more employees seek higher salaries, job candidates and current employees may feel emboldened to request better compensation packages.”