Job automation and concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic among middle and low-income U.S. adults.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined job automation and concerns about job automation during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Data from a national sample of 6,607 middle and low-income U.S. adults in May-June 2020 were analyzed. RESULTS: Among recently employed participants, 19.1% reported partial or complete job automation during the pandemic. Male gender, racial/ethnic minorities, students, higher education, full-time employment, and any history of psychiatric disorder were associated with job automation. In the total sample, 57.5% had concerns about job automation, which were associated with younger age, male, racial/ethnic minorities, students, veterans, more minors in the household, Northeast residence, any history of psychiatric diagnosis, COVID-19 infection, and any recent job changes. CONCLUSIONS: Job automation is impacting the lives of middle- and low-income U.S. adults and particular groups are vulnerable to ongoing changes in the nature of work.