Almost a quarter of UK organisations expect roles to be cut or significantly changed in 2027, according to Right Management’s inaugural Business Change Index.
The research points to rising costs, economic uncertainty and AI as major forces reshaping work, with leaders also warning of the less visible costs that can follow restructuring.
More than two-thirds of leaders identified lost productivity as a potentially significant cost of restructuring, while 58% pointed to the unwanted departure of people they hoped to retain.
“This isn’t a future problem. It’s already affecting organisations and their people.”
Tim Gilbert, Managing Director, Right Management UK&I
Gilbert said businesses should look beyond immediate savings and consider the longer-term impact on people, performance and competitiveness. He urged employers to consider retraining, redeployment and support into a next role before making cuts.
Opinion Matters surveyed 501 UK senior decision-makers in organisations with at least 10 employees between 13 and 19 October 2026. The 22% figure includes roles being made redundant or changed, rather than job cuts alone.
