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Majority of undervalued workers plan to quit in 2026, survey reveals

The Perkbox study showed that 42% of workers said they felt undervalued at work, with 54% of those planning to find a new job next year. 

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Majority of undervalued workers plan to quit in 2026, survey reveals
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More than half of UK workers who feel undervalued said they plan to leave their jobs in 2026, research from Perkbox found. 

The study showed that 42% of workers said they felt undervalued at work, with 54% of those planning to find a new job next year. 

In the general workforce, 34% said they were considering leaving.

Doug Butler, CEO at Perkbox, said: “Employees’ perception of how they are valued by their employers understandably impacts their morale and, in turn, engagement, productivity and retention. 

“Focused strategies and tools that foster cultures where all employees feel valued are worthwhile investments of time and resources for businesses in our current social and economic environment.”

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The report also found public sector workers felt less valued than those in the private sector, scoring 6.40 out of 10 compared to 6.92. 

Large businesses with over 1,000 staff scored the lowest at 6.21. 

Four in 10 workers said their employer was not doing enough to make them feel valued. 

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Motivation dropped by 57% among undervalued employees, with morale and enthusiasm also falling by half.

Employers agreed on the impact, with 64% linking undervaluation to lower productivity and 53% blaming it for retention issues.

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Pippa Van Praagh, vice president of operations at Perkbox, said: “The cost of living crisis is dramatically affecting how people live and progress in their careers. 

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“At the same time, AI is changing the way we work and reshaping what job security looks like, while constant media coverage about economic and workplace pressures has a huge psychological impact. 

“It’s not surprising that many people feel they’ve ‘lost the point’ of working beyond the need for a paycheque.”

Van Praagh added: “This crisis of meaning is being reflected in conversations up and down the UK and it’s why showing value and recognition to employees has never been more critical.”

Recognition was the biggest factor in staff feeling valued, with 53% of employees and 60% of employers saying it mattered most. 

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However, just 30% of workplaces offered recognition programmes. 

Nearly eight in 10 said a tailored benefits package would help them feel valued, and 68% said better benefits would boost productivity, rising to 84% among 25 to 34-year-olds.

Financial wellbeing support, recognition and reward programmes, and health and wellbeing initiatives were the most in-demand benefits. 

Employers also highlighted these priorities, but many said they did not have the resources to provide them.

Butler added: “Employees want to be recognised first and foremost – but it’s clear that there’s a key place for benefits too. 

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“Our data suggests they can be an effective lever for productivity and wellbeing and could be a key tool in the fight against the value exodus.

“The message is loud and clear. Employees want to stay and thrive. But without recognition and tailored benefits, they won’t.”

He said: “Employers who close the value gap now will keep their people and future-proof their businesses.”

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