This weekly update covers major shifts in the workforce as companies continue large-scale restructuring. 87% of HR leaders report conducting or planning layoffs in the next 12 months, driven by skills displacement and AI transformation. Meanwhile, global employee engagement has fallen to just 20%, the lowest level since 2020. In the United States, private employers added an average of 54,750 jobs per week in early April 2026, showing some job growth. However, workers remain anxious about job security, with only 22% feeling their jobs are safe from elimination. The widespread restructuring is creating a difficult environment where employees face increased workloads and reduced morale. Younger workers are particularly stressed due to rising healthcare costs, uncertainty about artificial intelligence, and financial pressure. Companies are increasingly focusing on hiring people with specific skills rather than cutting costs in one big layoff event. This continuous change means workers must constantly adapt and worry about their future. The job market shows some bright spots—healthcare and social assistance sectors led a rebound in worker motivation—but overall, the combination of layoffs, automation concerns, and workplace stress is leaving employees worldwide feeling uncertain about what comes next.

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