New Workhuman research reveals 42 percent of Irish employees plan to quit their jobs within the next 12 months

A new study from Workhuman has revealed that almost half of Irish workers – 42 per cent – intend to resign from their jobs within the next 12 months. This compares to 2019 – before the pandemic – when just 21 per cent stated they wanted to switch careers.

The Workhuman Fall 2021 International Survey Report, which tracked the mood of more than 3,500 full-time employees in Ireland as well as the US, Canada and the UK, found that British and Irish workers are the most likely to move roles, with 48 per cent of UK employees saying they plan to quit in the next year, compared to 42 per cent of employees in Ireland and 36 per cent in the US and Canada.

The number one reason given for wanting to change roles is to gain more workplace flexibility, with 36 per cent of male job seekers citing this reason. In comparison, female workers’ principal motivation is better pay.

The survey also showed 16 per cent of men and 19 per cent of women want a better work culture. Additionally, 16 per cent of men and 13 per cent of women said they want a better job title.

Burnout is rife

Workers have reported experiencing high levels of burnout. Almost two-thirds of women (65.5 per cent) and 59.5 per cent of the men revealed that they had experienced burnout during their careers. Of those, 81.5 per cent of women and 78 per cent of men stated this had occurred during the last 12 months.  

“After a year-and-a-half of uncertainly and strain, Irish workers now have a very strong idea of what they will and will not tolerate at work. The upshot of this is that many are seeking new opportunities, which offer more flexibility and/or better compensation,” said Derek Irvine, Senior Vice President of Client Strategy and Consulting.

“Unless organisations take preventative steps, they could soon be facing unprecedented levels of employee turnover. Sectors suffering from acute skills shortages, such as construction, technology and engineering, probably have the most cause for concern.”

Working parents are amongst the most likely to leave their job with 52.5 per cent of which stated they intend to resign within the next year. Of those, just over one-third (35.5 per cent), said they wanted more flexibility at work. 

Workers want a mix of office- and home-based work

When asked to state their preferred way of working, almost half of the respondents (47.5 per cent) stated they want to split their time between the office and working from home. Almost one-third (32.5 per cent) said they would prefer to work remotely all of the time, while just one-in-five said they wanted to work in the office all of the time. In contrast, at the time of the survey – in late June 2021 – 46 per cent of women and 38 per cent of men were working on-site all of the time. 

For more data from the Workhuman Fall 2021 International Survey Report, visit workhuman.com.