A recent survey conducted by Travel Counsellors has revealed that half of the British workforce is contemplating quitting their jobs, with the desire for better pay and benefits, improved work-life balance, and more flexible working hours being the primary motivators.

Intrigued by these findings, Resume.io, a resume and career advice platform, set out to explore this trend further. They identified the most commonly searched terms related to job resignation, such as “Resignation letter template,” “Quiet Quitting,” and “How to leave my job.”

Using Google AdWords, they analysed which UK cities showed the highest interest in these topics.

Key Findings:

  • Bristol leads the pack with the highest percentage of dissatisfied employees, with 4.12 percent of its population (approximately 412.42 searches per 10,000 people) searching for terms like “Resignation letter template” annually.
  • Bradford emerged as the city with the most satisfied workers, with only 1.07 percent (around 6,000 searches annually) of its population considering quitting their jobs.
  • The term “Resignation Letter” was the most frequently searched across all UK cities, with London recording the highest number of searches at 118,800 annually.
  • “Resignation Letter template” was the second most popular term, with 52,800 searches per year in London.

UK Cities Where Employees Want to Quit the Most:

Rank City Estimated Annual Searches Population (2023) Percentage of Searches Searches per 10,000 People
1 Bristol 19,920 482,998 4.12 412.42
2 Manchester 22,920 579,917 3.95% 395.23
3 Cambridge 5,760 149,963 3.84% 384.09
4 Newcastle 11,760 311,976 3.77% 376.95
5 Reading 6,480 178,196 3.64% 363.64
6 Leeds 29,400 829,413 3.54% 354.47
7 Sheffield 19,680 573,252 3.43% 343.30
8 Birmingham 38,760 1,166,049 3.32% 332.40
9 Portsmouth 6,960 210,297 3.31% 330.96
10 London 289,680 8,945,309 3.24% 323.83

Bristol Tops the List

Bristol has emerged as the city where employees are most eager to leave their jobs. An estimated 4.12 percent of Bristol’s population is actively searching for resignation-related information, significantly higher than other cities, including Portsmouth, which ranks ninth with 3.31 percent of its population showing similar intentions.

Manchester ranks second, with 3.95 percent of its population seeking advice on quitting their jobs, amounting to 395 searches per 10,000 people. “Resignation letter” and “Resignation letter template” are the most common search terms in Manchester, with over 12,000 searches annually.

Cambridge, despite its smaller size, ranks third, with 3.84 percent of its population exploring job resignation options, highlighting the significant impact of job dissatisfaction in even smaller cities.

Bradford: The City of Contentment

On the other end of the spectrum, Bradford residents appear to be the most content in their jobs. Although there are around 6,000 annual searches related to job resignation, this represents just 1.07 percent of the city’s population. This figure is more than three times lower than neighbouring Leeds, where 3.54 percent of the population is considering a job change.

Expert Tips for Quitting Your Job

With “Resignation Letter” and “Resignation Letter template” being the most searched terms across the UK, Amanda Augustine, a career expert at Resume.io, offers advice on how to resign professionally:

  1. Reflect on Your Decision: Ensure you’re confident in your reasons for leaving. If possible, discuss your concerns with your manager to see if any changes can be made.
  2. Plan Your Next Move: Update your CV and secure a new job before giving notice, if possible. This can make the transition smoother.
  3. Resign Professionally: Speak with HR or your manager to give notice, and provide a formal resignation letter. Offer to assist with the transition.
  4. Maintain Relationships: Express gratitude to your colleagues and employer to leave on good terms, which can be beneficial for future opportunities.

This research underscores the growing trend of job dissatisfaction in the UK, with cities like Bristol leading the charge. However, for those considering a change, following a professional approach can ensure a smooth transition to new opportunities.

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Amelia Brand

Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.