More than half of U.S. workers say job insecurity is ‘significant’ stressor

Workers are stressed over job insecurity with many concerned about the possibility of an impending job loss. And that worry may be taking a toll on employees’ overall mental health—especially for younger workers. 

According to the American Psychological Association’s 2025 Work in America survey, which recorded online responses from 2,017 employed adults, more than half of American workers are bogged down with worry over their job security. A whopping 54% said concerns about their workplace stability has a “significant impact” on their stress levels.

Why workers are concerned

The concern appears linked to recent policy changes under the The President administration and economic uncertainty. Sixty-five percent said their company or organization has been impacted by policy changes, and two-thirds said those changes have been drastic. Most cited negative experiences as a result of the changes. Seventy-five percent of workers said they’ve experienced things like “emotional exhaustion, as well as lack of interest, motivation, or energy at work,” due to shifting policies at work.

Those who haven’t yet experienced big shifts seem to be mentally preparing for them. More than two in five (42%) of employed adults surveyed said they expect government policies to lead to changes in their own workplace. That view was higher among those who worked in local, state, and federal government, where 53% said they expect to see them.

Among the big changes, the possibility for layoffs is top-of-mind for employees. According to the survey, 39% of workers “said they were concerned that changes in government policies may cause them to lose their job in the next 12 months.” For younger workers, the worry hits much harder. Sixty-five percent of workers ages 26 to 43 called job insecurity a “significant stressor,” and 75% of those 18 to 25. Only 46% of those ages 44 to 57 said the same, with the number dipping further for older age groups.

A challenging market for job seekers

Adding fuel to the fire is concern over how challenging it may be to find a new job. About two-thirds of workers who were concerned about losing their job due to changes in government policies (66%) said it would take them a significant amount of time to find a new job if they were laid off. Forty-four percent said they weren’t confident they could find a new job in their industry and would have to change fields altogether.

“When people feel their jobs are at risk, it creates a sense of uncertainty that can affect every aspect of their lives,” said Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, APA’s chief executive officer, in a news release. “This cultural moment is threatening workers’ sense of stability, control and ability to meet their basic needs. And feelings of insecurity at work and poor mental health can amplify each other in a vicious cycle.”

The strain is impacting workers while they’re on the job. More than half said they feel tense or stressed during the workday. But they’re taking the worry home, too, with 46% saying that their work environment is causing their mental health to decline and 38% saying their personal relationships have been negatively impacted over all the work-related stress.

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