As artificial intelligence reshapes industries and raises questions about the future of employment, a new study suggests that fears of becoming obsolete may have an unexpected consequence: employees becoming less committed to workplace rules and more willing to engage in misconduct.

Researchers at Washington State University found that workers who worry about AI threatening their occupations are more likely to justify inappropriate behaviour, including arriving late, wasting company resources or neglecting responsibilities. The findings, published in Occupational Health Science, suggest that anxiety about technological disruption could undermine workplace relationships, productivity and organisational effectiveness.

Led by Tahira M. Probst, a psychology professor at Washington State University Vancouver, the study examined employee attitudes and behaviours across 18 industries. Researchers explored how concerns about occupational insecurity, combined with the likelihood of AI disrupting particular industries, influenced workers’ willingness to disregard workplace expectations.

Unlike traditional job insecurity, which involves fears of losing a particular position, AI-related occupational insecurity raises the possibility that an entire profession could disappear. A bartender who loses a job, for example, may find similar employment elsewhere. However, workers in occupations increasingly performed by automated systems, such as medical transcription, may face far fewer opportunities to continue their careers.

To investigate these concerns, researchers combined survey responses with the AI Industry Exposure index, which estimates how extensively artificial intelligence could affect tasks within different industries. Finance and insurance ranked among the most exposed sectors, while agriculture and forestry faced comparatively lower exposure. The researchers found that employees concerned about their occupational futures reported greater levels of moral disengagement, particularly in industries vulnerable to AI disruption.

Moral disengagement occurs when individuals rationalise actions they would otherwise consider unacceptable. Employees feeling threatened by technological change may begin viewing workplace misconduct as justified, perhaps believing they deserve compensation for perceived unfair treatment or that bending the rules is necessary for self-protection. This psychological shift was associated with more self-reported counterproductive behaviours, including personal internet browsing during working hours and arriving late for shifts.

The relationship was particularly pronounced in highly AI-exposed industries such as finance and insurance, but weaker in sectors including forestry and construction. Probst warned that such behaviours can have consequences beyond individual productivity, placing additional burdens on colleagues, damaging professional relationships and interfering with an organisation’s ability to function effectively.

The findings highlight an important challenge for employers introducing artificial intelligence into their operations. While automation may promise greater efficiency, uncertainty surrounding its adoption could create unintended workplace problems. The researchers suggest that organisations should communicate carefully about technological changes, acknowledge employees’ concerns and provide appropriate support to maintain trust, engagement and a positive working environment.

More information: Tahira M. Probst et al, In the Shadow of AI: How Industry Exposure to AI and Occupation Insecurity Fuel Moral Disengagement and Counterproductive Work Behaviors, Occupational Health Science. DOI: 10.1007/s41542-026-00272-3

Journal information: Occupational Health Science Provided by Washington State University