Computers in the workplace (is 912 A4)

Impact on job security

Fewer than 1 in 5 employees affected by technological change had benefited from increased job security 

due to automation. In fact, over two-thirds encountered no change. Only 1 in 10 reported decreased job 

security. However, bluecollar workers were somewhat more likely to have experienced a decrease in job 

security due to automation than employees in managerial and professional, or clerical, sales, and service 

occupations. 

Before jumping to the conclusion that automation in Canadian workplaces during the second half of the 

1980s had little effect on job security, we must point out that only employed individuals answered these 

questions. Thus, anyone who had lost a job because of technological change and was not employed at the 

time of the survey was not included. Still, the employed showed little concern about new technologies 

undermining job security.