AI fear is driving employees to slack off, show up late, and even steal coworker lunches

As more businesses adopt artificial intelligence, some employees, who are increasingly worried about losing their jobs, are starting to act out.

That’s the finding of a new study from Washington State University (WSU) researchers, published in the journal Occupational Health Science, which looks at how AI adoption at work is affecting workers’ attitudes and behaviors in the office.

Research has shown that the increase of AI-based technologies such as intelligent robotics, automated systems, and algorithmic management at work may make employees insecure about their jobs—leading to more stress and less engagement.

Washington State University’s study looked at employees across 18 different industries, and found that workers who had the greatest fears about AI stealing their job were more likely to behavior poorly—by, say, slacking off at the office, or even stealing a coworker’s lunch.

Researchers also found that employees who assumed they would be replaced were more likely to “morally disengage” at work, such as by coming in late for a shift or surfing the web while on the clock.

“Moral disengagement is basically a way of justifying bad behavior,” Tahira M. Probst, a professor of psychology at WSU Vancouver and lead author of the study, said in a news release. “We know what’s right and wrong. We know what organizational policies say we can and can’t do. Moral disengagement is a way of reframing that behavior as something that is acceptable.”

Researchers used the AI Industry Exposure index to identify which industries were most exposed to potential AI disruption. Workers in finance and insurance had some of the highest levels of exposure, while workers in agriculture, forestry, and construction had the least. Not surprisingly, the bad behavior was more pronounced in the industries with the highest amount of disruption.

The study’s bottom line: When employees feel their job is at risk, they may look at workplace expectations differently and rationalize behaviors such as cutting corners or undermining coworkers, to protect themselves or compensate for what they perceive as injustice.

The findings also suggest that AI concerns can harm not only workers but also the business itself, and recommends that employers be more mindful of how they bring AI into work so employees are better supported.