Marvin OnumonuMore than half of UK workers are staying in jobs they do not enjoy, with money worries and self-doubt holding many people back from making a change, according to findings from Aegon’s Money:Mindshift.
The research found that 53% of workers have stayed in a job they did not enjoy, often because they feared financial instability or doubted their ability to move on.
54% believe a dream job is realistic and 58% said achieving it was important, but only 12% said they had reached it.
Tom Mathar, head of Money:Mindshift, said: “To earn an income is a basic foundation of financial wellbeing.
“Without it, there’s no ability to spend, save, or invest for the long term. Most of us don’t just want a job, though – we want a job we enjoy and can thrive in.
“This research shows that while the desire is there, the path often feels blocked.”
Mathar added: “Some barriers are practical, but many are emotional – like the fear of starting over, applying for a new role, or finding that the next job is worse.
“Recognising those fears is valuable self‑awareness, and it suggests that courage may be the ingredient needed for change.
“Four in 10 staying in jobs they don’t enjoy believe that leaving would make life harder.”
He said: “That, too, is useful insight. It reminds us that ‘the job to love’ isn’t always the right ambition.
“Sometimes, the role that keeps life in balance – health, family, work, wellbeing and wealth – may be just as good an option.
“With money:mindshift, our aim is to help people make better trade‑offs between their financial and emotional needs today, tomorrow and beyond, so they can live a long and happy life.
“Self‑awareness of those needs is key to making the right decisions.”
Alice Hooper-Scott, director of School of Life at Work, said: “We often talk about ‘dream jobs’ as if they’re indulgent or unrealistic – but for many people, they’re really about autonomy, purpose and balance.
“What this research shows is that the barriers aren’t laziness or lack of ambition; they’re structural and emotional.
“A third of people cite lack of opportunities, while many others feel they don’t have the right skills or are unsure what they truly want.”
Hooper-Scott added: “These feelings are incredibly common. What matters is giving people the tools and confidence to explore change in a way that feels safe and achievable.
“Honest conversations about money are a crucial part of that – even if those conversations seem so hard for so many.”
