It found that when CEOs and HR leaders talk about how AI will affect the business, employees’ concern about tech taking over increases.
“Central to this disconnect is trust,” the report read. “The further removed the leader is from the day-to-day activities and the work being done, the less employees trust what they say.”
Addressing leadership vacuum
Ravin Jesuthasan, Mercer’s global transformation leader, said effective leadership in the AI era requires visible engagement and honest communication from leaders.
“To address fear of technology’s impact on work, leaders must acknowledge uncertainty, prioritise the redesign of work, and walk through change with their teams,” Jesuthasan said in a statement.
Employees’ trust in their immediate managers also underscores the need for effective people leadership training for these workers.