Global workplace health is showing signs of recovery as workers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI), transferable skills development, side ventures and technology to navigate organisational uncertainty and build resilience in an unpredictable economy, according to the 2026 HP Work Relationship Index.

The fourth yearly global study released in South Africa and Nigeria on October 1, surveyed 19,506 desk-based workers across 15 countries, including 15,003 knowledge workers, 3,200 information technology decision-makers and 1,501 business leaders.

According to the study, workers globally now use AI agents as part of their work, with the growing adoption of the technology driving greater demand for continuous skills development

The study found that 59 per cent of knowledge workers presently use employer-provided AI tools daily or weekly, up from 46 per cent in 2025, while the proportion not using AI has fallen by 13 percentage points to 16 per cent.

Similarly, 47 per cent of all workers surveyed now use AI agents as part of their work, indicating that AI is becoming integrated into everyday workflows as workers increasingly use technology to build resilience, navigate uncertainty and regain a sense of control in a fast-changing world of work.

The report also revealed that 59 per cent of workers are prioritising transferable skills over traditional career progression as they seek to navigate an increasingly uncertain labour market, while 36 per cent have an income-generating side venture that are becoming a form of career insurance, noting that the figure rises to 48 per cent among Generation Z workers.

HP said workplace health is starting to recover, with 29 per cent of knowledge workers now reporting a healthy relationship with work, up with eight points from 2025’s low point.

The report noted that pressure remains high, with 86 per cent of knowledge workers experiencing organisational change in 2025.

HP report found that more than one in three are still struggling to maintain a healthy relationship with work, categorised as being in the unhealthy/critical zone, while 67 per cent of workers consider leaving their current jobs too risky.

For employers across South Africa and Nigeria, HP stated that the global findings underscore a shared imperative to help people feel equipped for change rather than overwhelmed by it, while ensuring that technology investment translates into a better day-to-day experience of work.

According to HP, this matters for organisations in both markets because business growth and healthy work relationships go hand in hand.

The report stated that globally, workers who say their company has performed well are six times more likely to have a healthy relationship with work than those at companies performing poorly.

For many workers, HP stated that organisational change has become a constant as nearly nine in 10 knowledge workers globally report change over the past year, from shifting performance expectations to new technologies and ways of working.

HP stated that this pressure will be familiar to employers and employees in South Africa and Nigeria, where adaptability, digital capability and workforce confidence are increasingly important to organisational resilience.

According to the HP report, the increasing use of AI agents in day-to-day work, is making workers more conscious of the need to continuously develop their skills as technology changes the nature of jobs.

It found that 47 per cent of knowledge workers using AI agents believe their roles will become harder to define, compared with 39 per cent of those using generative AI alone.

Similarly, 44 per cent of AI-agent users are concerned about being replaced by AI or workers with AI expertise, compared with 37 per cent among workers using generative AI.

The findings indicate that greater AI fluency is not reducing the importance of human skills but is increasing workers’ awareness of the need for adaptability and continuous learning.

The study also found a strong relationship between AI confidence and workplace wellbeing, as 52 per cent of workers in the Healthy Work Relationship Index zone use AI agents, compared with 38 per cent of those in the Critical Zone.

However, nearly half of workers said their organisations still lack a clear AI strategy, raising concerns about how businesses are preparing employees for the continued integration of AI into workplace processes.

The report identified technology enablement as the second strongest driver of a healthy relationship with work, accounting for 20 per cent, behind leadership confidence at 32 per cent. Workforce development accounted for 19 per cent, personal future readiness 16 per cent and AI confidence 12 per cent.

The HP report also revealed that 73 per cent of knowledge workers are more likely to remain with an organisation that invests in their growth and development, suggesting that skills development is increasingly becoming a factor in employee retention.

The HP report stated that technology itself is also playing a growing role in workplace experience, as 69 per cent of workers view technology as a source of positive change, while 60 per cent say AI has had a positive impact on their lives.

For employers globally, 70 per cent of business leaders regard employee technology experience as a differentiator, while nearly two-thirds believe poor technology experiences affect their ability to retain top talent.

HP said the findings were particularly relevant to organisations in South Africa and Nigeria as employers navigate digital transformation, AI adoption and changing workforce expectations.

HP report stated that for organisations in both countries, the opportunity is to use technology to improve how people experience work—from confidence and productivity to growth and retention.

The report stated that workers are also clear about what helps them do their best work, noting that the top enablers include faster and more reliable devices, tools that build new skills, seamless technology across work tools, shared knowledge systems and AI tools tailored to their role.

The company said organisations that equip employees with trusted AI, reliable technology and continuous skills development would be better positioned to help workers adapt to workplace changes while improving employee experience and retention.
The 2026 HP Work Relationship Index was based on research conducted between April 15 and May 20, 2026, across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Australia, Japan, India, Indonesia and China.

“As AI reshapes workflows, CIOs and IT teams across South Africa and Nigeria have an increasingly important role in workforce fulfilment, resilience and growth. The 2026 study makes clear that technology enablement is no longer a back-office issue; it is central to how organisations help people adapt, perform and build healthier relationships with work,” HP stated.