Employees — Job Security Concerns

The small business financial firm, Clarify Capital did a survey with employees and employers. It found 20% of full time employees are worried about job security and are searching for a new place to work.

At the same time, 45% of the HR departments say they’re increasing hiring in 2026. The emphasis for 23% will be customer service and support. Another 23% are looking for AI and machine learning experience and 22% want “soft skills.”

Clarify Capital co-founder and CEO Michael Baynes says there is a huge disconnect between employees and employers.

"The disconnect between employer and employees is growing, with nearly seven in 10 job seekers wanting more pay, while one in three HR pros say rising wage expectations are their top hiring challenge," Baynes said. "That's more than just a labor market, that's a negotiation battlefield and why so many of the non-negotiable benefits really matter. If companies cannot offer applicants a higher wage, perhaps there's other ways to reward them beyond monetary means.”

The survey asked workers to say why they might leave their current employer.

• 68% listed their current salary and wanting a higher one
• 41% want more career advancement
• 29% want a mix of hybrid work options
• 27% list job security as a reason to leave

Baynes said that’s giving HR departments a huge challenge.

"They need more talent, but they're losing some of the best candidates over non-negotiables like retirement benefits, remote or hybrid options and flexible hours," he noted. "Today's employees also have rising pay expectations given the economic climate. These aren't just perks, they're dealbreakers.”

Here’s more from the survey:

• 29% said they started apply for new jobs in January to see if they could get a better offer
• 64% are pretty sure they will eventually find greener pastures

Employees also added non-negotiable benefits:

• 42% want better retirement benefits
• 39% want remote or hybrid work options
• 37% are seeking more flexible hours
• 33% want more training and career development opportunity
• 31% are seeking better health insurance

Here’s what the HR departments are seeing from applicants:

• 31% expect higher pay and better benefits
• 26% are hearing from an excessive number of unqualified applicants
• 34% say they’ve lost a top-candidate because of no remote work options

All that said, 67% of HR departments are sure they can find qualified people for open jobs in 2026.

Source link: PropertyCasualty360.com — https://bit.ly/4rNPiNR