As companies integrate AI more deeply into their daily processes, the traditional notion that "doing more ensures greater security" is losing its effectiveness. CNBC, citing career advisors, reports that with rising expectations of layoffs and restructuring, simply relying on overtime to secure job stability is becoming increasingly ineffective and may even exacerbate employee burnout.
Expectations of corporate restructuring and layoffs are rising.
The report mentioned that Meta laid off approximately 8,000 employees on May 20. Zuckerberg wrote in an internal memo that success in the AI field is not a given. Some companies have also explicitly cited AI technology as one of the reasons for their restructuring.
According to Mercer's "Global Talent Trends 2026" report, 99% of C-level executives expect to reduce their headcount by up to 20% in the next two years due to AI changing workflows. The survey covered 825 C-level executives and 1,650 human resources managers.
Working long hours does not necessarily increase the chances of retention.
A Monster survey of 807 employees in October 2025 revealed that 76% of full-time employees considered themselves "workaholics" at least to some extent. However, career consultant Kalifa Oliver argues that in the AI era, job stability is no longer a guaranteed outcome, and continuously investing more working hours is not the answer.
The report cited the opinions of several consultants who said that if overtime is for extra income or due to management requirements, the situation is different; but if the core motivation is fear of layoffs or using work as a way to keep one's job, it may backfire in the long run.
Overworking can impair performance
A report by mental health company Spring Health in April 2026 revealed that 46% of burnt-out employees reported finding it harder to stay focused and productive at work. The report suggests that employees in a state of excessive fatigue are less likely to spot errors and are less likely to maintain innovation and consistent output.
Career consultants suggest that employees first assess several practical issues, including whether their current workload is reasonable, whether there are skills gaps, whether team support is sufficient, and whether tasks can be delegated to others. The article's core argument is that in the phase where AI drives organizational restructuring, extended working hours do not automatically translate into greater job security.
