Deciding to leave your job is a huge decision to make, but it’s a common thought for many as they embrace the new year, new job mantra. However, new research has found that over 2 million Brits think about quitting their job every day (7 per cent).
A poll of 2,000 employees revealed that this figure was significantly higher amongst younger workers, aged 18-24, with 12 per cent of those surveyed stating they think about this daily. The study by CABA, the charity supporting the wellbeing of chartered accountants and their families, investigated British employees’ satisfaction with their professional lives.
The research further highlighted that 38 per cent of employees regularly encountered stressful situations at work. Women were most likely to feel this way, with 41per cent revealing they deal with stressful circumstances at least once a week. Comparatively, only 34 per cent of male employees admitted to encountering such situations on at least a weekly basis.
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Many factors were cited as contributing to employees feeling stressed, including unrealistic expectations and unmanageable workloads. Regardless of how it manifests itself within the working environment it can have a negative impact on employee wellbeing, with over 1 in 10 (12 per cent) missing at least 52 family events or personal commitments each year.
Kelly Feehan, Services Director at CABA, commented,
At a time when the job market is extremely competitive and highly-skilled employees are in short supply, it’s imperative that organisations look after their staff. With productivity a high priority for business leaders, paying more attention to employee happiness and wellbeing will not only reduce instances of low productivity and absenteeism, but help to engage the workplace too.
Losing staff because they feel stressed, unhappy and demotivated can be avoided if businesses develop a strategy which incorporates wellbeing initiatives alongside career development and, above all, nurtures a positive company culture. Looking after the physical and emotional health of staff members can no longer be just a box-ticking exercise if companies want to attract and retain the best talent.
The survey also discovered the amount of time that employees spend working outside of their contracted hours, with many regularly clocking up extra hours. In fact, of those surveyed almost 2 in 5 (38 per cent) regularly work on their days off, including putting in hours at the weekend, on annual leave and during public holidays.
This negative habit is most likely amongst 18-24-year olds, the supposed snowflake generation, with over half (53 per cent) admitting to working on their days off. When compared with the data of workers over 55, there was a stark difference with only 31per cent admitting to this.
Kelly Feehan concluded,
‘There’s an increased demand in today’s ‘always on’ workplace culture; it’s no longer just a place where employees turn up, do a job and go home. The separation just isn’t there anymore. This is demonstrated by 22 per cent of employees revealing they check their work emails during the evenings and weekends, highlighting the common belief that you need to be constantly connected to the office. This is an expectation that needs eradicating if we’re to have a happy, healthy and productive workforce.
Interested in wellbeing in the workplace? We recommend this Mental Health Awareness training day, and Workplace Wellbeing and Stress Forum 2019
Aphrodite is a creative writer and editor specialising in publishing and communications. She is passionate about undertaking projects in diverse sectors. She has written and edited copy for media as varied as social enterprise, art, fashion and education. She is at her most happy owning a project from its very conception, focusing on the client and project research in the first instance, and working closely with CEOs and Directors throughout the consultation process. Much of her work has focused on rebranding; messaging and tone of voice is one of her expertise, as is a distinctively unique writing style in my most of her creative projects. Her work is always driven by the versatility of language to galvanise image and to change perception, as it is by inspiring and being inspired by the wondrous diversity of people with whom paths she crosses cross!
Aphrodite has had a variety of high profile industry clients as a freelancer, and previously worked for a number of years as an Editor and Journalist for Prospects.ac.uk.
Aphrodite is also a professional painter.
- Aphrodite Papadatou
- Aphrodite Papadatou
- Aphrodite Papadatou
- Aphrodite Papadatou
