More than a quarter of employees in Britain say they have stayed in roles longer than they wanted because the cost of living has made changing jobs feel too risky.
That’s according to research from Reward Gateway | Edenred, an employee engagement and benefits platform, which found that many workers were remaining in posts despite unhappiness, as financial pressure and economic uncertainty continued to shape career decisions.
Pay was the strongest factor influencing whether people would move jobs, ahead of work-life balance and job security.
Financial pressures shaping job decisions
Around 26 percent of employees said they had remained in their current role longer than they would prefer because of economic conditions, even if they were unhappy in their position or workplace.
But the same pressures are also driving some workers to consider leaving. Nearly a fifth of employees said they were planning to change jobs in search of higher pay or a better compensation package.
Benefits and workplace support also played a role in retention. Seventeen percent said they had stayed longer than they would like in order to continue using work provided benefits, while 11 percent said a lack of benefits was pushing them to consider leaving their role.
Career development concerns were also evident. Eleven percent said they were planning to leave because of limited progression opportunities in their current job.
Economic worries influencing career choices
Employees reported widespread concern about the broader economic climate and what it means for their careers.
Six in ten workers said they were worried about financial pressures linked to the cost of living when thinking about the job market and wider economy. More than half said they were concerned about the overall state of the economy.
Stability also ranked highly among employees’ worries, with just over half saying they feared instability if they moved roles. Concerns about job availability and a lack of suitable positions were also common.
Other factors influencing hesitation about switching jobs included the risk of losing workplace benefits and uncertainty during probation periods with a new employer.
Pay still strongest attraction for new roles
Salary was the most influential factor for employees considering a new employer, cited by 86 percent of respondents.
Work-life balance followed closely, with 84 percent saying it influenced their decision to take a new job. Job security was also a key consideration, mentioned by 83 percent of employees.
Location, benefits and company culture were also widely cited. Around four in five workers said location influenced their decision, while three quarters pointed to benefits and organisational culture.
Flexible or remote working options were important for many employees, along with opportunities for career progression.
‘Not so healthy’
Chris Britton, people experience director at Reward Gateway | Edenred, said staff staying in the same roles for extended periods was no longer necessarily a sign of a healthy workplace culture.
“Traditionally, long tenures and high retention rates have been a sign of a good place to work, whether that meant pleasant work culture, generous benefits or quick progression,” he said. “In recent years, this is no longer the case.”
Economic instability was changing how employees viewed job security and wellbeing, according to Britton. “In a time where stability is ‘more important’ than wellbeing, employees are holding onto their jobs as a solution to rising costs and economic uncertainty rather than exploring what else is available to them,” he said. “This can lead to an unmotivated, burn-out workforce rather than a creative, innovative and productive one.”
He added that employers still had opportunities to improve working conditions even during challenging economic periods. “Businesses are in the unique position to transform the lives of their workforce, especially in uncertain or difficult times. Not only will employees feel happier, they will feel more valued in their roles, so businesses can benefit from a workforce fired up to produce the best results.”
The survey of 2,003 UK employees was carried out by polling firm Censuswide between 11 and 17 November 2025.
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
- William Furney
