As many workers return to the office this week after the Christmas break, new research has found that the top three employee concerns for the future are the unethical use of AI (such as discrimination or privacy breaches), AI replacing human jobs, and increased workplace surveillance and monitoring.
This is according to the seventh triennial Ethics at Work: 2024 International Survey of Employees, which was carried out by the Institute of IBE in conjunction with the Compliance Institute in Ireland and polled 12,000 employees in 16 countries over four continents. A total of 750 of those surveyed were in Ireland.
The Compliance Institute Ethics at Work survey found that almost half (47pc) of workers are concerned about the potential misuse of AI for unethical behaviour, with a similar number (45pc) concerned that AI could replace humans in the workplace (see Table 1 below).
Commenting on the survey findings, Michael Kavanagh, CEO of the Compliance Institute said:
“The rise of AI brings opportunities and challenges, and it’s clear that employees are acutely aware of its potential for misuse. With half of employees expressing concerns about AI being used unethically – such as privacy breaches or discrimination—there is a clear need for organisations to establish and implement robust ethical guidelines and governance around AI technologies. This is essential not only for protecting employee rights but also for making sure that technological advancements reflect the values and expectations of the workforce.
Another top concern among employees is the fear of AI replacing their jobs. This anxiety is understandable, as it is likely that AI will automate certain tasks and change job roles in many sectors—leading to uncertainty about job security for some workers. Employers can tackle these concerns by investing in upskilling and retraining programs that help staff adapt to new technologies and feel confident in their roles.”
Other highlights to emerge from the research include:
- Almost one in every two employees (46pc) in Ireland continues to hold a positive view of improved workplace ethics since the COVID-19 pandemic, matching levels from 2021 and above the global average of 45pc. Among these, men (49pc) and young people (53pc) are more likely to report favourable ethical experiences within their organisations.
- In exploring current and future factors shaping employees’ perceptions of workplace ethics, it found that women are more likely to perceive a decline in ethical behaviour within their organisations since the pandemic, with one in ten (9pc) expressing this concern.
Mr Kavanagh added:
“Almost one in every two employees in Ireland believe ethical behaviour in their organisation has improved in the post-Covid period.
Less than one in ten workers (8pc) feel that ethical behaviour has worsened – and, while in an ideal world this figure would be nil, such a small percentage must still be regarded as positive overall.
The findings do pose some questions as to why some groups are more likely than others to have experienced a decline in ethical behaviour – namely 9pc of female employees and 11pc of workers in the younger age 18 – 34 category”.
Respondents to the survey were asked to rate their level of concern on the following workplace issues:
Table 2
Highlight findings from this research reveal that:
- The least concerning issue for employees is the reduction of interpersonal interactions due to the rise of hybrid working (36pc).
- Between 30pc and 40pc of employees are not worried about any of these potential issues.
- More men (47pc) than women (38pc) express concerns about heightened surveillance and monitoring of staff.
- Among those worried about the misuse of AI for unethical purposes, one-quarter (24pc) report being ‘extremely concerned’ about its potential for malevolent behaviour, such as discrimination and privacy violations.
Mr Kavanagh said:
“The findings show that open communication is crucial. Organisations should engage employees in discussions about the future of work and actively listen to their concerns. When employees feel heard, it builds trust and transparency in the workplace. Additionally, companies might consider setting up ethics committees or advisory boards that include employee representatives. This approach brings diverse perspectives into the decision-making process and shows a commitment to ethical practices. Ultimately, it’s about creating a future where technology enhances the employee experience instead of undermining it”.
