Marvin Onumonu31% of UK workers preferred not to embrace change, with this attitude more common among women, older employees and those in the public sector, research from Right Management found.
Women showed higher resistance to change than men, with 34% saying they would rather keep things the same compared to 27% of men.
Employees aged over 45 were also more cautious at 37%, compared to 24% of those in Gen Z.
Public sector staff were the most reluctant, with 38% saying they feared change, against 25% in the private sector.
Jacques Quinio, talent management solutions director at Right Management, said: “Staying in your comfort zone may feel secure, but it’s quietly eroding productivity across the country.
“If the UK wants to close the productivity gap, it must start by enabling people to grow, adapt, and contribute in new ways.”
Despite the need for change, fewer than half of employers surveyed offered coaching, and only 43% gave access to professional assessments for growth.
One in 10 organisations offered no support at all for workers looking to develop.
Just 33% of employers used data to guide investment in people, while 42% called it a “nice to have” but not essential.
Over half of employees said their performance was valued more than their potential.
Quinio added: “If we want future-ready organisations and a more productive economy, we need to start treating talent development as a growth lever, not a cost.
“Empowering employees to embrace change — with the right tools, data and support — isn’t just good for morale.
“It has ripple effects beyond the walls of their company and positive impacts on the broader UK economy.”
