Hectic schedules are making more employees uneasy

gift-habeshaw-Of8C-QHqagM-unsplash-1Only 12 percent of workers are concerned AI and automation will negatively impact their job; more than a third, though, are afraid of something else — Monday morning.

Thirty-nine percent of employees reported experiencing the Sunday Scaries — anxiety felt before starting the work week — in a recent survey.

More than half (52 percent) of the workers who participated in the survey described feeling overwhelmed at work on a daily basis. Other common causes of occupational stress included working long hours; having a bad boss; lower-than-desired wages and limited advancement opportunities.

Workers also identified experiencing a lack of support, conflicting demands and inflexible work schedules as catalysts for anxiety.

Many, however, felt eventually using artificial intelligence and automation in the workplace wouldn’t contribute to their stress level.

Forty-nine percent of workers expect the technologies won’t change their job at all; and roughly four in 10 believe AI and automation will have a positive effect. The top three anticipated benefits of artificial intelligence and automation that workers cited include increased productivity, the ability to develop new skills and the chance to take on new responsibilities.

To find out more about how employees view AI and automation in the workplace and the Sunday Scaries, read this description of Robert Half’s report on jobs, technology and anxiety.