Job insecurity among Polish workers has significantly increased, with as many as 32% fearing job loss—6 percentage points more than last year. The highest level of concern is observed among young employees—nearly 40% of those under 24 years old—and in the retail sector, where the figure reaches 39%. Six out of ten people who feel at risk of being laid off are actively looking for new jobs, according to a survey conducted for the “Labor Market Barometer 2025” by Gi Group Holding.
A study conducted by SW Research on behalf of Gi Group Holding in February this year found that nearly one in three people fear losing their jobs. A total of 32% of respondents share this concern, including 4% who fear being laid off within the next month, 7% within six months, 12% within a year, and 10% within two years. Meanwhile, 54.9% of employees feel secure in their current jobs.
Employers’ Perspective
According to the survey, the vast majority of companies (74.3%) plan to maintain their current employment levels in the coming quarter, while fewer than 5% intend to lay off workers. At the same time, more organizations than last year plan to increase their workforce. This year, 16.7% of surveyed companies intend to hire more employees, compared to 12.9% last year.
“The data clearly shows that uncertainty is increasingly creeping into the daily lives of workers, especially younger employees and those in sectors more vulnerable to market fluctuations, such as retail. Although most people still indicate stability, the growing number of those fearing layoffs signals to employers that they should enhance communication transparency and provide long-term employment perspectives,” commented Anna Wesołowska, Managing Director of Gi Group.
Employees under 24 (40%) and those earning between 3,000–3,999 PLN or over 10,000 PLN (both 39%) are more likely to share concerns about job loss than the general working population. Job insecurity is similarly felt by men (32.5%) and women (just under 31%).
Industries with the Highest and Lowest Job Insecurity
The most insecure workers are in the retail sector (39%) and among junior specialists (38%). In contrast, those in the public sector (29.3%), transportation and logistics (30.8%), and services (34.6%) feel more secure. Managerial staff also display lower job insecurity, with only 21% expressing concern. Similarly, manual workers feel relatively secure, with only 29% worried about job loss.
Regional Differences
Regionally, the most significant rise in job insecurity is observed in southern Poland, where as many as 40% of workers worry about their jobs—almost double the rate from last year (24%). A similar trend is seen in the southwestern region, where the percentage of workers fearing layoffs increased from 25.9% to 36%.
This could be linked to difficulties in the automotive industry, a key employer in these regions. However, the central region is an exception, where the percentage of people concerned about job loss dropped from over 23% to 11%.
2024 vs. 2025 – Rising Job Insecurity
In 2024, 26% of employees reported concerns about job loss, a figure almost identical to the previous year (27.1%). However, at the beginning of 2025, this number had risen to 32%, meaning nearly one in three employees felt insecure about their employment. This marks an increase of approximately 6 percentage points in just one year. Despite this, more than half of employees (54.9%) do not fear job loss, suggesting that many still feel relatively secure—likely due to sustained demand for workers and labor shortages in various industries.
Job insecurity varies by age, position, industry, and location. The youngest employees (under 24) exhibit the highest level of concern—40% feared layoffs in 2025, compared to 33% last year and nearly 28% in 2023. This indicates a growing trend of job insecurity among young workers. Notably, job stability tends to increase with age, as older employees are less likely to anticipate job loss.
Retail workers feel the most insecure—39% feared layoffs in 2025. The services sector follows closely, with nearly 35% of employees expressing similar concerns.
Job Seekers and Career Transitions
For several years, studies have shown that employees planning to change jobs or fearing job loss tend to be highly active in seeking new employers.
Although the percentage of workers currently looking for new jobs dropped by 4.7 percentage points compared to last year, it still exceeds 60%. This suggests that proactivity in the job market is becoming a lasting trend.
The decline in the percentage of respondents who, despite plans to change jobs or fears of layoffs, do not take action to find new employment indicates greater caution among workers. Amid media reports of staff reductions and fewer job openings, many people may be postponing job searches as long as possible. However, employee activity in the labor market remains high, meaning employers must take steps to reduce turnover.
“Uncertainty, but also the need for growth, is driving more employees to seek alternatives. This is particularly true for young professionals building their careers and specialists looking to leverage their skills in organizations offering better conditions and more attractive career paths,” said Ewa Michalska, Operations Director at Grafton Recruitment.
Increased Interest in Career Changes
Employees who feel uncertain about job security are more likely to consider switching careers or industries. A significant 69.4% of those fearing job loss or planning to change jobs express openness to reskilling. By contrast, only 42.5% of the general workforce considers a career change, with just 10.2% fully ready to make such a move.
“The data shows that job insecurity strongly encourages career flexibility. People who feel at risk of losing their jobs are much more willing to acquire new skills and explore alternative career paths. This is a clear signal to employers and educational institutions,” emphasized Anna Wesołowska, Managing Director of Gi Group.
Amid dynamic economic and technological transformations, openness to career changes and readiness to acquire new skills are highly valued by employers, as confirmed by the study’s findings. According to the “Future of Jobs 2025” report by the World Economic Forum, 50% of organizations plan to redeploy existing employees into new roles, while 40% are considering staff reductions if employees’ skills become obsolete. As a result, both employers and employees are increasingly seeking skill development and retraining programs to adapt to changing market conditions.
“Job security concerns are particularly evident in sectors undergoing intense technological changes. Automation and digitalization contribute to job eliminations but also create new positions requiring specialized skills. Consequently, workers from more traditional sectors are beginning to consider reskilling as a way to stay competitive in the job market,” highlighted Daniel Piaszczyk, Senior Partner Executive IT at Wyser Executive Search.
Market analysis shows that while most employees do not currently fear job loss, the number of those who do has increased compared to last year. This contrasts with companies’ declared plans, as only a small percentage intend to reduce employment. Most plan to maintain their workforce, and more companies (16.7%) than last year aim to expand their teams.
The full 19th edition of the “Labor Market Barometer 2025” report will be available soon.
