Ahead of the country's toughest Budget in 20 years nearly 80 per cent of employees have said they fear that their jobs are not safe in the current economic climate.
According to a survey from employment law consultancy Peninsula Ireland of 1,865 workers from across a variety of industries, 66 per cent of employees also say they are not as financially comfortable as they were two years ago.
"In the society which we now iive, no-ones job is safe. Jobs nowadays just don't have the security attached to them like those that could be found 30 years ago. Even in those sectors which people have always envisaged as strong and secure, such as financial and public sectors, there has been real trouble, with heavy job losses the result," said Alan Price, head of Peninsula ireland.
The survey shows that as many as 75 per cent of employees worry that they will not have enough savings to live comfortably during their retirement. In addition, 63 per cent report they are being forced to work longer hours in order to cover rises in the cost of living.
Mr Price warned that while working longer hours may help workers out in the short-term, employees need to be mindful of the impact ont heir health.
"The rising cost of living has had a huge impact on the workforce and so they have to work longer hours in order to afford the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed.
"This economic downturn will not last forever but whilst it is still around, people will need to tighten their belts.
Although working longer hours may benefit employees financially, it will have a detrimental effect on their health in the long run and they must be careful not to work too hard," he added.
