A growing number of UK workers are feeling detached from their roles, with job satisfaction falling and many questioning whether to stay in their current positions.
Nearly one in three employees reported feeling unsatisfied at work, while a similar proportion described themselves as disengaged, new research suggests. A fifth said they had considered quitting in the past year, pointing to a workforce that is increasingly strained and uncertain about its future.
Alongside declining satisfaction, many employees said their productivity and engagement had worsened over the past year, while more than a third reported feeling stressed or burnt out in their roles.
Engagement and meaning at work under pressure
Only a minority of workers said their jobs felt meaningful, with many pointing to a lack of recognition or a sense that their work had little impact beyond routine tasks. Heavy workloads were also cited as a factor, leaving roles feeling transactional rather than purposeful.
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At the same time, there is clear demand for more meaningful opportunities at work. More than six in ten employees said that using their skills for community benefit would improve both their engagement and job satisfaction.
This suggests that many workers are not just looking for better pay or conditions, but a stronger sense of purpose and connection in their roles.
Volunteering seen as route to better engagement
The data was published alongside the launch of a new employee volunteering platform by Royal Voluntary Service, a UK charity that mobilises volunteers to support people in need across health, social care and communities.
The organisation said volunteering can play a role in improving wellbeing, strengthening workplace relationships and helping employees feel more connected to their work.
Businesswoman and Dragons’ Den star Deborah Meaden said employers often overlooked a simple way to improve engagement and wellbeing.
“Employee engagement and wellbeing are two of the major cornerstones of a well-functioning business yet can be the hardest to get right. There’s an easy win many employers are missing though: volunteering. It’s proven to improve wellbeing, build connection and skills, and deliver good things for society.”
She added that simply offering volunteering days was not enough, and that employers needed to actively support participation.
“However simply offering volunteering days isn’t enough. Organisations must actively support and make it easy for teams to take them. With so many vital causes needing our help, employee volunteering is an unparalleled opportunity for businesses to make a real difference both inside and outside the organisation.”
Barriers remain despite strong interest
Despite interest from employees, many organisations struggle to run effective volunteering programmes, with large numbers of allocated hours going unused each year.
Carole Urey, chief revenue officer at Royal Voluntary Service, said disengagement carried clear risks for employers, affecting both performance and retention.
“Disconnected and disengaged employees can be costly for employers. These feelings not only reduce productivity but can impact brand reputation and retention. Volunteering through workplace programmes is a proven way to improve wellbeing, connection and productivity, whilst contributing to society. It’s a win, win.”
She said practical barriers often prevented uptake, even where employers had good intentions.
“But despite good intentions, millions of employee volunteering hours are going unused each year, because employers struggle to find suitable opportunities or don’t have the resource to manage the process. GoVo for Business breaks down these barriers and unlocks workplace volunteering at scale – delivering greater value for businesses, their people and society.”
The research was based on a survey of 2,000 UK workers carried out in early 2026, alongside a separate study of HR decision-makers.
