Investing.com -- Only 22% of global workers strongly believe their jobs are safe from elimination, according to a new report from ADP Research released Wednesday, revealing widespread anxiety despite historically low unemployment rates worldwide.

The Today at Work 2026, Issue 1 report surveyed more than 39,000 working adults across 36 markets and found job security concerns were most acute among lower-paid workers performing repetitive tasks and employees at the bottom of management hierarchies.

"Despite three years of historically low global unemployment and steady economic growth, our data reveals widespread job insecurity expressed by workers worldwide," said Dr. Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP.

The findings come as major companies announced layoff rounds through 2026. UPS announced plans to eliminate 30,000 positions throughout the year, while Block cut over 4,000 employees in February or roughly 40% of its entire staff, citing the ability of generative AI to handle tasks previously managed by large teams.

Fortnite maker Epic Games recently laid off over 1,000 employees, representing 20% of its staff. Atlassian cut approximately 1,600 positions, or 10% of staff. Confluent announced a 25% reduction of about 800 people, while Crypto.com reduced its workforce by about 12%, or 180 people.

The report found workers who felt their jobs were safe were six times more likely to be fully engaged on the job, 3.3 times more likely to say they were productive, and two times more likely to say they have no intention of leaving.

Job security confidence varied by position level. Only 18% of individual contributors and 21% of frontline managers strongly agreed their job was safe from elimination, compared to 23% of middle managers, 31% of upper managers, and 35% of C-suite executives.

Workers who use AI frequently were more likely to say with confidence their job was safe from elimination. The report found 20% of workers say they use AI nearly every day, while 30% use it multiple times a week, and 15% of workers have never used it.

Daily AI users were four times more likely than non-users to say they were feeling less productive than they could be. However, 30% of workers who use AI daily in their work were fully engaged, compared to only 14% of those who never use AI.

Age-related differences emerged in skills confidence and employer investment. Only 18% of workers aged 55 to 64 and 19% of workers 65 and older strongly agreed they have the skills needed to advance, compared to 29% of workers aged 18 to 26 and 30% of workers aged 27 to 39.

One fifth of workers aged 18 to 26 strongly agree AI will positively impact their job in the next year. That sentiment decreases as workers get older, with 15% of workers aged 40 to 54, and 10% of workers aged 55 to 64 reporting AI will positively impact their job in the next year.

"Workers who clearly see the role their existing skillsets will play in an organization's future and investment by their employers in helping them develop skills of the future will be more engaged, productive and have the confidence to thrive in this next era of work," said Jay Caldwell, chief talent officer at ADP.