Is Constant Workplace Change Burning Out Your Team, and Could AI Be the Unexpected Solution?

Why Are Your Best Employees Quietly Planning to Leave, and What Do They Truly Value in 2025?

Feeling the strain of constant workplace change? Discover what the 2024 PwC survey reveals about employee overwhelm, AI adoption, and what it really takes to retain your top talent today. To turn employee fatigue into forward momentum, explore the full analysis and actionable strategies from the PwC report below.

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PwC’s 2024 Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey indicates that employees feel overwhelmed by rapid change at work, with many questioning its necessity. Increased workloads and financial stress are also taking their toll. However, workers are also eager to master new AI tools and otherwise upskill. In this enlightening report, PwC analyzes these findings and offers company leaders helpful guidance on how to help workers navigate these developments — including better communication about the purpose behind changes and investing in what their employees value, like fair pay and flexibility.

Take-Aways

• Many employees feel overwhelmed by the pace of change.
• Communicate “the why” of change if you want your business transformation plans to succeed.
• Prioritize employee learning and adoption of GenAI.
• Fuel performance by improving the employee experience.

Summary

Many employees feel overwhelmed by the pace of change.

PwC’s 2024 Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey, the fifth in the series since 2019, reveals that a significant portion of employees worldwide feel overwhelmed by the pace of change at work. A majority of respondents believe there is too much change happening simultaneously, and 44% do not understand the necessity of the changes taking place. Heavier workloads, job security concerns, and financial stress are also taking their toll on employee well-being.

“CEOs are urgently trying to evolve their companies to remain economically viable over the long term.”

But the picture is not entirely dire. The survey of over 56,000 workers across 50 countries shows most employees are ready to embrace changes to how they work and want to upskill. They are eager to understand how generative AI (GenAI) might help them work more efficiently, and most feel optimistic about their company’s long-term outlook.

Communicate “the why” of change if you want your business transformation plans to succeed.

More than 60% of respondents say they’ve experienced more change at work in the past 12 months than in the previous year, and nearly half have had to learn new tools and seen a significant increase in workload during that period. To avoid change fatigue, leaders must promote resilience: setting clear, doable expectations, creating a culture that encourages work-life balance, and supporting managers so they, in turn, can better guide their teams.

“When employees understand the reasons for change, they’re more engaged and connected to the organization’s goals.”

Transformation plans are more likely to succeed when employees feel invested in the process. Thus, business leaders should communicate the “why” behind changes — explaining, for example, how technological developments are reshaping company strategy and how that strategy shift translates to changes in how employees work. Share the company’s vision with employees, helping them understand their role in making that future a reality. Consider worker-led innovation initiatives that empower employees to suggest and try new ideas to drive change.

Prioritize employee learning and adoption of GenAI.

Both workers and CEOs recognize inefficiencies in current work processes and see GenAI as a way to eliminate some of this waste. Allowing employees to experiment with GenAI can unlock its potential within your organization. Make upskilling in GenAI a priority for everyone, including senior leaders who should lead by example.

“More than 80% of workers who use GenAI daily expect it to make their time at work more efficient in the next 12 months.”

While more than 70% of respondents believe GenAI will give them new skills and opportunities and will help them produce more high-quality and creative work, they harbor concerns about biases and misinformation. Leaders should establish the primacy of human decision-making and discernment within their organizations. They should provide guidelines and training on using AI responsibly and critically analyzing its outputs. Leaders should also openly share the data and algorithms the company will use and encourage workers to speak up if they spot potential bias.

Fuel performance by improving the employee experience.

Despite slight increases in job satisfaction, more employees than during the “great resignation” say they are likely to change employers within the next 12 months. To retain employees, organizations must invest in what their employees value. Nearly half of the respondents say that learning new skills is a prominent factor in their decision to stay at or leave a job. Leaders should ensure upskilling initiatives reach all employees. Prioritize on-the-job training and mentorship and leverage hidden skills within the workforce. Embed a culture of continuous learning in your company’s DNA.

“More employees say they’re likely to change employers in the next 12 months than even during the ‘great resignation’ of 2022.”

Respondents also highly value fair pay for performance, flexibility, and fulfilling work. When organizations address these gaps, they can boost employee engagement and eagerness to embrace change. Streamline employee access to the tech tools they need and consider employing digital assistants to help employees accomplish their tasks, which can reduce employees’ mental load and sense of overwhelm.

About the Author

PwC is a leading global professional services network that offers a wide range of assurance, advisory, and tax services.