UK workers are the most pessimistic in the world about job security

UK workers are the most pessimistic in the world about their job security, according to a major global study published on Tuesday.

About one-third (30%) of UK employees fear redundancy in the coming year, according to the bi-annual Global Career Confidence Index by HR consultancy Right Management.

This is the highest figure recorded across the 18 countries surveyed worldwide, and an increase of nine percentage points since May 2006, the largest rise globally. The number of UK workers who believe it would be difficult to find alternative employment of a similar grade if they were made redundant, has risen from 71% six months ago to 77% now. Only France, Germany and Italy have less optimistic workers.

Out of a perfect confidence score of 100, the UK experienced the world's sharpest drop, falling 6.9 points to stand at 45.3 points, significantly lower than the global average of 58.6.

Peter Coles, director at Right Management in the UK, said: "The drop may appear unusual with the UK economy remaining strong and the recruitment market relatively buoyant. However, the continuing restructuring of the labour market with the growth in outsourcing, particularly in the public sector has led to increased uncertainty for many about their future job security."

The Norwegians are the most optimistic in the world, with only 4% of workers believing there is a chance they could lose their job. Japan and Denmark ranked second and third respectively.