Morgan McKinley’s 2026 Workplace Trends Report finds UK workers feel less secure and are more likely to seek new opportunities than their global peers
UK workers are preparing to move jobs as pay stalls and concerns over job security, restructuring and automation weigh on confidence. This is all despite employers signalling broadly stable headcount plans, according to Morgan McKinley’s Global 2026 Workplace Trends Report.
In the UK, employee confidence also appears weaker than the global average. Just 22% of UK employees said they feel secure in their current role, compared with 30% globally. At the same time, 59% said they plan to look for a new job in the next six months, significantly higher than the global average of 49%.
The findings suggest UK workers are responding to uncertainty by actively exploring alternative opportunities rather than staying put. More broadly, the data indicates that job security alone is no longer enough to reassure employees. Workers are looking at pay, progression, flexibility, skills development and how clearly employers are explaining change.
Globally, almost half of employees (49%) said they are planning to actively look for a new job in the next six months. This comes despite 63% of employers saying they have no planned headcount reductions for 2026.
The report points to a gap between employer plans and employee confidence. While many employers expect to maintain headcount, only 43% of employees described themselves as secure or very secure in their current role.
More than a third of employees (37%) believe their role could be affected by restructuring, automation or cost cutting. If they felt their job was at risk, 85% said they would start applying for new roles, while 64% said they would develop new skills or certifications.
Pay is also adding to the pressure. Nearly 70% of employees globally said they had not received a salary increase in the past six months, up from 65% in 2025.
AI is now also shaping how employees think about work and hiring. Some 43% of employees globally are using AI or automation tools when searching for a job, up from 26% in 2025. However, 46% said they are uncomfortable with AI being used to assess interview performance.
The report also found strong demand for skills development, with AI and data skills the top development priority for employees globally, cited by 70% of respondents. However, 56% said their employer is not investing enough in their professional development.
Mark Astbury, Director at Morgan McKinley, said:
“The most striking finding for the UK is the gap between employer expectations and employee confidence. Many organisations are planning for stability, but employees are reading the signals around pay, progression, AI and job security very differently.
“The findings show a workforce that is alert to change. People are not necessarily panicking, but they are preparing. If pay is flat, if roles are changing and if AI is being introduced without clear explanation, employees will naturally ask where they stand and whether their future is better protected somewhere else.
“For UK employers, the message is clear. Employee confidence is under greater pressure than the global average. When people are uncertain about their future, they don’t simply wait and see—they start exploring alternatives. That should concern any organisation trying to retain talent.
“When employees are uncertain about their future, they do not simply wait and see. They start exploring alternatives. Employers that communicate clearly, invest in skills and career development, and provide confidence around change will be in a much stronger position to hold on to their people.
“Retention is no longer just about staffing levels. It is about whether people believe there is a future for them in the organisation. Employers that are clear on pay, honest about change and serious about skills will be in a much stronger position than those relying on stability alone.”
