Job security ‘paramount concern’ for 68% of Aussie workers
Employees are valuing maintaining their employment and positions over higher pay as fear about potential redundancies creeps in, Robert Half has revealed.
New research from Robert Half has revealed fear towards potential redundancies this year has spiked, making job security a “paramount concern” for workers.
Findings from the study highlighted that 68 per cent of workers were prioritising job security as they were concerned redundancies would occur at their company throughout 2025.
Ninety-two per cent of employees said that based on this fear, they were already taking steps to increase their employability if they needed to find a new role.
It was also found that 39 per cent of workers prioritised their job security as they recognised the tough economic conditions employers were juggling could impact their position of employment, while 21 per cent still prioritised salary over job security and 40 per cent valued both equally.
Andrew Brushfield, director of Robert Half, said economic uncertainty had clearly transferred to redundancy fears across the Australian workforce.
“It’s clear that there is a significant level of apprehension among workers about potential redundancies in the coming year,” he said.
“That job security surpasses pay in worker priorities signals a climate of market uncertainty and a shift towards valuing stability and long-term career prospects.”
According to the research, “stark differences” were highlighted across industries and regions towards redundancy concerns.
Tech workers were shown to be the most concerned about their job security, with more than 78 per cent worried about the potential of redundancy at their particular companies.
Sixty-nine per cent of accounting and finance professionals were also concerned about the future of their role, followed by 56 per cent of administration and customer service employees.
Seventy-five per cent of professionals in NSW were found to be the most anxious about redundancies in 2025, followed by 71 per cent in Western Australia, workers in both Victoria and Queensland were less anxious, yet the majority still held slight concern.
Brushfield said the level of concern was spurring action across 92 per cent of Australian workers to upskill and remain relevant within the job market.
“If redundancies do eventuate, having this kind of positive and proactive attitude will stand workers in good stead to secure their next role,” he said.
“Workers are on the front foot, preparing for employment changes by taking ownership of their career development and seeking to future-proof their skills, before their role may be impacted by restructures within their company.”
“This is part of a shift we’re seeing towards proactive career management. Workers are upskilling, networking and exploring side hustles, not just to enhance their pay package, but to strengthen their long-term career prospects.”
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