Zarah ChoudharyWorkers remain confident about their job security despite economic challenges, with 55% expressing optimism over the next six months according to the latest data from Robert Half.
The study, conducted by insight agency Opinium between 4th and 7th February 2025, found that more than half of the workforce remain confident in their job security despite ongoing economic headwinds.
When asked about the reasons behind their optimism, 50% of respondents cited their own performance and niche skills as the key factor, while only 20% attributed their confidence to the strength of the industry they work in.
However, confidence levels varied significantly across different regions. In the London region, 64% of employees feel secure in their jobs, compared to 56% in the North West and just 46% in the West Midlands.
Matt Weston, senior managing director UK & Ireland at Robert Half, said: “The professional services sector continues to experience strong demand for talent, boosting worker confidence despite conflicting economic headlines.
“Our recent Hiring Intentions survey highlights UK business leaders’ plans to increase the hiring of specialised professionals.
“According to our data, 82% of businesses plan to make hires in finance and accounting, IT, customer service, and marketing & creative roles across all types of employment (permanent, contract and project based) during the first half of 2025, which in fact is a 5% increase on H2 2024.
“Nonetheless, the regional disparities that we see in worker confidence, likely driven by the availability or lack of nearby opportunities, suggests that the levelling up and growth agenda hasn’t yet created a level playing field across the country.
“The fact that 50% of employees cite their performance and skillset as the main driver for their job security confidence, compared to 20% who mention industry strength, indicates that systemic skills shortages will likely continue shaping a complex labour market in 2025.
“In this scenario, candidates, particularly in highly skilled professional services, hold the upper hand in the hiring process.
“Their expertise and in-demand skills give them the power to set expectations, negotiate favourable terms, and choose from multiple opportunities in their career progression.
“Given confident employees and a tight market, employers must adapt their talent strategies to align with regional workforce sentiments, invest in targeted training programs, and offer competitive compensation packages to stay ahead when attracting skilled professionals.”
