More than half of workers looking to change careers

More than 50% of polled workers are currently re-evaluating their jobs, a survey from Henley Business School has found.

More than 870 people aged 18 to 55 were surveyed about their feelings towards their careers, including how happy they felt at work, whether they enjoy working from home, and which factors influenced how they felt about their job.

When asked, ‘Are you currently looking to change jobs?’, 52% of the 873 people who responded to this question answered ‘yes’ or said they were considering it.

Furthermore, 64% of respondents said the ability to work from home will be “a key factor” when considering a change in role.

Dr Naeema Pasha, Director of Careers and Professional Development at Henley Business School said: “We know that the pandemic has made us all re-think about where we work and what we do. This is not only a good thing: it is vital, and we should all evaluate our careers regularly, especially as the landscape of work is changing. The pandemic, technology and socio-economic influences on us mean that we need to consider how we stay economically and vocationally viable. We may not change jobs, but we may change what we are doing in order to gain new skills and experience.

“We know that while we grumble about work, actually having an opportunity to use our best strengths and skills, and being able to stretch them to be challenged and stimulated within a workplace that aligns with our purpose, will bring us satisfaction and contribute to our sense of happiness and wellbeing.

“We also found that workers like some degree of autonomy too, and while we all can gain from going into the workplace, we have now come to expect flexibility and working-from-home options.”

When asked what factors impact their employment happiness, 25% said that achieving a good work/life balance is most important, followed by their relationship with their employer (21%), and the culture of their workplace (20%), both physical and virtual. 19% responded that pay was the determining factor of their happiness, with 10% citing career progression as an important factor for career happiness.

Dr Pasha added: “This survey underlines how important career decisions are to our overall wellbeing and sense of happiness. Choosing a career path that enables us to have some autonomy, such as flexible and home working, as well as being able to build on our abilities is an essential part of life and living well.”