Gripped by anxiety over repeated layoffs and a slow-hiring job market, tech workers are losing confidence in their profession at a more significant rate than those in other roles. A new report from Glassdoor laid bare the fall in tech worker confidence recently, indicating that the numbers have dropped by more than 7% year over year. This marks the largest dip in confidence across the many industries covered by the report. One might presume that with the arrival of AI, tech workers might be the best equipped to understand and operate this new technology. However, not all tech jobs offer the same degree of security, leaving many out of work or worried about the possibility of losing their jobs.
Tech workers are experiencing a significant drop in confidence given the state of the job market, more so than workers in other industries. (Image: Freepik)
Tech Worker Confidence Drop Linked to Layoffs and Weak Hiring Market Today
Oracle, Block, Amazon, and other giants have more than just their industrial success in common. Each business has announced mass layoffs across its operations, with the possibility of more to come. Not only are industry leaders conducting layoffs, but the trend of cuts appears to be commonly spread across the industry, affecting businesses both big and small.
The recent release of the Glassdoor Employee Confidence Index put the workers’ experience of the industry into perspective, stating that the share of employees reporting a positive 6-month business outlook fell to 44.3% in February 2026. This marks a drop from the 45.9% number seen just a month prior. This downward trajectory may be subtle, but it is substantial in its implications.
The morale decline was most evident in the tech industry, where employee confidence showed a 7.1% drop YoY. Compared to a month prior, morale fell by 1.6%. This offers us interesting insight into the state of the industry. Despite employers projecting confidence in business success thanks to AI-centric investments, employees remain wary of what this will mean for their industry and their jobs.
Government and public administration worker confidence witnessed a 1.1% decline month-over-month and a 0.8% decline year-over-year. While this previously represented the industry with the largest YoY drop, the tech worker confidence drop appears to have taken the lead this time.
Job Security Concerns Rise Among Tech Workers
The decline in tech worker sentiment isn’t just a passing reaction to immediate change, but represents a consistent decline in their morale. For the most part, businesses have their eyes on numbers like market capitalization and stock value, however, turning attention to the internal state of the organization is essential. A prime cause for this decline is the rise of artificial intelligence. A previous report from Gallup showed that AI use within the workforce is on the rise, and workers are growing more confident in experimenting with the technology. Despite this, AI usage has also increased workloads and the risk of burnout.
The use of AI is only one part of the controversy surrounding the tech. The increasing reliance on AI and automation goals has led to AI-based layoffs, leaving tech workers nervous about the sustainability of their careers and the future of their jobs. While it’s true that industry leaders like Meta and OpenAI are competing for talent and paying top dollars to bring employees into their circle, the clamor for such talent is highly specific and leaves other tech-adjacent jobs ignored. Those who operate in the tech industry but work in aspects like management, customer services, and other roles are similarly struggling with job security.
The Tech Industry Morale Decline Highlights the Need for Better Internal Communication and Engagement
While businesses might be preoccupied with securing their own position in the industry, the mental state of their workforce also requires investigation. The tech layoffs have resulted in a spike in worker anxiety, and anxious workers aren’t necessarily in the best headspace to prioritize their work. Wellness initiatives may help to address some of this stress and burnout, but attention towards addressing worker concerns is imperative.
Regular conversations with employees to acknowledge and resolve their concerns are an essential part of managing workers, particularly during times of change. Workers remain keen to continue their careers and find a space for themselves during these uncertain times, and reassurances over job security concerns would help tech workers feel more at ease regarding the current state of employment.
Are you among the tech workers who have experienced this drop in confidence? Share your experiences in the comments with us. Subscribe to The HR Digest for more insights on workplace trends, layoffs, and what to expect with the advent of AI.
