Hourly workers unfazed by AI job concerns – U.S. survey
MINNESOTA, UNITED STATES — Majority of hourly workers in the United States are confident about job security despite economic concerns, according to workforce payments platform Branch.
Branch’s 5th Annual Workforce Report surveyed over 3,000 hourly employees in the U.S. across various industries.
Key findings show 56% of respondents are not worried about artificial intelligence (AI) threatening their jobs, 53% are interested in experimenting with AI tools and 51% feel optimistic about job mobility and growth within their current roles.
Goldman Sachs predicts AI advancements could jeopardize 300 million jobs globally due to automation, but many believe human labor will still be necessary for many roles.
Branch’s survey highlights a reluctance among hourly workers to change jobs, with 56% having no plans to switch. However, top priorities are higher wages (77%), stable schedules (56%), and flexibility (39%).
“Flexibility has become increasingly important to attract and retain hourly workers,” said Atif Siddiqi, Founder and CEO of Branch.
“As the workforce continues to welcome new generations, this need is only going to grow, whether that’s offering flexibility in how they pick up work or receive their earnings.”
The report also revealed that 83% have less than $500 in emergency savings, with 50% having no funds set aside.
As holidays near, over 80% plan to pick up extra work shifts. Most will take on more hours in their current role (62%) or part-time gigs (49%).
