A shift is happening across UK workplaces as companies introduce more artificial intelligence (AI). Consequently, business managers face a tough challenge. They must balance the cost savings of new technology with a big rise in staff worry.
A major national survey of more than 5,000 workers by the GMB Union shows exactly how worried people are. The data reveals that nearly half of all employees, some 48%, fear that AI will take their jobs.
These findings were shared at the GMB annual conference in Blackpool, just as major retailers and food factories announced big job cuts.
The Reality of AI in the Workplace Today
For millions of staff, AI is no longer just a futuristic headline. Rather, it is part of their daily routine. The survey shows that companies are moving quickly past the trial stage to full automation.
Importantly, nearly a third of all workers (29%) say their employer has already brought AI into their workplace. Furthermore, the data reveals a shift in how bosses use these tools. Out of the staff already working with AI, over a quarter (26 per cent) say the technology now does tasks they used to do. Even more striking, 48 per cent say managers use AI to track and monitor what employees are doing during work hours.
Recent Job Losses Fuel Employee Fears
The survey results come at the same time as heavy job cuts at major UK brands, giving workers a clear reason to worry. Recently, supermarket giant Asda announced that around 1,000 jobs at its George clothing brand would be lost to automated warehouse robots and AI systems.
Similarly, global food manufacturer Nestlé is moving ahead with plans to cut 450 jobs across its UK sites. Many of these roles are set to be replaced by automated machinery.
Ultimately, this shift creates a lot of stress for the remaining workforce, as noted by Nestlé employee Robert Battell at the GMB conference.
“It’s heartbreaking to see colleagues and friends you’ve worked with for years lose their jobs and be replaced by robots,” Battell said. “That can’t be right, but that’s what’s happening at Nestlé and many other businesses around the UK. AI is not the enemy, but we must have laws to protect workers from bad choices by bosses. The Government must protect jobs or guarantee retraining.”
The Call for Better Laws and Staff Retraining
Instead of treating AI as an enemy, union leaders want strict rules on how companies deploy it. The focus is moving toward corporate responsibility, asking the Government to create laws that guarantee retraining and redeployment when automation cannot be avoided.
Indeed, business leaders must realise that treating AI purely as a way to cut staff costs carries major risks. Removing human workers without a clear plan can damage company culture, lower team morale, and cause disputes with trade unions.
How Managers Can Handle the Change
For growth-focused business leaders, the GMB survey is a vital warning sign. Therefore, if you plan to introduce machine learning or automated tools into your operations soon, you cannot just focus on the software.
Clearly, you need to build a transparent communication plan. Share your technology roadmap early, explain exactly how AI will help your team do their jobs better rather than replacing them, and offer clear training pathways. Managers who focus on their culture will protect staff morale while upgrading their business safely.
