Ryan FowlerAs the year begins, over four million workers—around 11% of the UK workforce—are actively looking for new job opportunities. This marks a significant increase compared to the 8% reported by Totaljobs two years ago, reflecting a resurgence of the traditional January job-seeking trend.
Totaljobs surveyed 3,000 UK workers and found that the desire for new roles extends beyond the new year, with nearly a third planning to switch jobs later in 2025. Interestingly, 66% of those surveyed are open to relocating for the right role, with 21% willing to move elsewhere in the UK, 23% considering opportunities within Europe, and 22% ready to move further afield.
The survey underscores a growing appetite for job mobility despite a decline in available vacancies. This heightened activity is largely attributed to dissatisfaction at work. Research from October revealed that 25% of job turnover over the past year stemmed from issues such as stress, burnout, and mental health challenges.
Salary remains key, but flexibility matters
Financial worries are a significant motivator, with 59% of workers concerned about their finances in the coming year. Seeking higher salaries is the leading reason for job searches, with candidates expecting a minimum 13% pay increase before seriously considering new roles. However, retention remains possible—35% of job seekers indicated they would stay with their current employer if offered a raise in line with inflation.
While salaries are a primary concern, non-financial factors play a critical role. A quarter of those surveyed cited the need for a better work-life balance as the reason for their job search. In fact, work-life balance topped the list of factors influencing job decisions (49%), followed by job security (37%) and flexible working options (37%). Notably, 66% of workers said they would forgo a pay rise in exchange for flexible hours, signaling a growing demand for innovative compensation packages.
Totaljobs is urging employers to rethink their flexible working policies, as flexibility has become a key differentiator in attracting talent.
Commenting on the findings, Julius Probst, labour economist at Totaljobs, said: “The UK labour market has returned to balance after two years of overheating in 2021 and 2022. Vacancies continue to decline, and employment growth remains sluggish. Worker turnover is currently low, and there are concerns that the policies introduced in the Autumn Budget may impact the hiring outlook. The Bank of England should continue its easing cycle to avoid further stifling the labour market. On the bright side, real wages of workers are growing at a healthy rate, supporting household consumption and the economy.”
