SC workers putting in more office hours over AI fears, report says. Here’s why, how much overtime

It has been years since the first implementation of AI tools in the workplace, and many companies are still in the early stages of using the technology. However, many workers are reportedly fearful of AI replacement.

Resume.io, a market-leading resume-building website, surveyed over 3,000 nationwide in March.

The study found that 81% of workers say they are actively making an effort to demonstrate their value at work, either to compete with AI tools or simply to stand out should layoffs ever occur.

“AI isn’t just changing how work gets done; it’s changing how people feel about their job security,” said Amanda Augustine, a resident career expert at resume.io, in a statement. “We’re seeing more employees put in extra time, take on additional responsibilities, or try to be more responsive simply because they want to make sure their value is clear.”

The average worker in the U.S. is putting an extra 2 hours and 24 minutes at the office each week, according to the report.

What about South Carolina?

SC office overtime

According to the survey, employees in SC who responded are reportedly adding an extra 3 hours and 20 minutes of work to their week on average.

Over the course of a year, that adds up to 173 extra hours, the equivalent of five weeks of work, in the office for hardworking South Carolinians.

Lunch breaks are also taking a hit. More than half of SC workers, said their lunch breaks have shortened considerably over the past year due to concerns about staying productive.

Workers were also asked about their biggest concerns around AI in the survey. The most common fear was losing their job altogether.

These were the other main concerns:

• AI replacing my entire job (34%)
• AI replacing part of my job (30%)
• Being expected to produce more work because of AI tools (22%)
• Falling behind colleagues who use AI more effectively (14%)

South Carolina workers spend more time in the office compared to those in other parts of the nation. Here’s a list of the top 10 states where employees worked the most overtime.

Top 10 states by extent of overtime

• #1. South Dakota: 5h 56m of overtime each week
• #2. North Dakota: 4h 56 of overtime each week
• #3. Rhode Island: 3h 38m of overtime each week
• #4. Vermont: 3h 34m of overtime each week
• #5. Nebraska: 3h 34m of overtime each week
• #6. Iowa: 3h 23m of overtime each week
• #7. South Carolina: 3h 20m of overtime each week
• #8. Virginia: 3h 17m of overtime each week
• #9. Maryland: 3h 4m of overtime each week
• #10. Texas: 3h 3m of overtime each week

This story was originally published April 14, 2026 at 6:00 AM with the headline "SC workers putting in more office hours over AI fears, report says. Here’s why, how much overtime."