A quarter of UK workers express dissatisfaction in their careers, with many seeking change.
- Financial limitations are a leading cause of job dissatisfaction due to the cost-of-living crisis.
- Gen X and Millennials show the highest levels of career dissatisfaction among age groups.
- Ideal careers are identified as offering good pay, work/life balance, and flexibility.
- Underappreciated careers may provide the desirable features sought by today’s jobseekers.
In a revealing study, 24% of UK workers report dissatisfaction in their current careers. A significant portion, 33%, are contemplating a career change within the year, as highlighted by research from the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy and job platform Indeed.
The primary drivers of job dissatisfaction include limited earning potential, which affects 38% of workers, alongside issues related to financial pressures exacerbated by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Many employees seek meaningful work, with more than a third expressing a desire for roles that offer greater purpose and fulfilment.
Gen X, aged 44-59, and Millennials, aged 28-43, are the most dissatisfied with their career paths. Concerns about restrictive career change opportunities due to self-perceived age limits are prevalent, with 18% of workers feeling constrained by age in their 40s, and 13% during their 30s. In contrast, Baby Boomers report high satisfaction levels, with 82% content in their roles.
The research further defines the components of a dream career as primarily a comfortable salary, pegged at an average of £50,384 per annum, and flexibility. Men typically aspire for a higher salary than women, with Millennials placing the highest value across generational cohorts.
A fascinating aspect of the findings is the list of ten careers that many UK workers have never considered, despite offering flexibility and competitive salaries. Some of these roles include Employee Relations Manager and Financial Adviser, which are linked to fulfilling career attributes. The report from Indeed and the St. James’s Place Financial Adviser Academy underscores the potential of these overlooked positions to meet the aspirations of today’s workforce.
Job dissatisfaction among UK workers highlights a need for awareness about alternative career opportunities that align with modern work-life expectations.
