Job anxiety is at an all-time high, and appears many employees are looking for roles where the grass is seemingly greener.
Robert Walters is one of the largest talent solution companies in the world and recently reported shocking figures for employee retention for the upcoming year.
As the UK continues to see the continued impact of high inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, employers believe that this will create heightened anxiety around retaining staff.
Chris Eldridge, CEO of Robert Walters UK and Ireland, said: “The new year has introduced a new wave of economic pressures for professionals.
“It’s clear if they don’t feel confident enough with their current employer, they’ll respond with their feet”.
With 46% of professionals left feeling concerned about their companies’ ability to retain staff amid the current economic pressures, it seems 65% of professionals will be looking for new positions elsewhere in 2025.
As the government increases the National Living Wage to £12.21 in April 2025, it comes just one year after the previous wage of £11.44 was increased in April 2024.
These increases are causing many businesses across the UK financial difficulties as they must also adhere to the benefits many professionals in their workforce value.
According to Robert Walters, the most valued benefits of white-collar professionals are private health insurance, bonus schemes, and pension contributions.
Mr Eldridge stated: “Salaries being stretched further due to living costs, annual bonuses either lacking or non-existent … have dealt a blow-after blow to business confidence”.
Creating further uncertainty in the workplace, Robert Walters found that 45% of UK professionals will not receive bonuses during this period when many look at them as a part of their yearly income.
So, going into 2025, it seems as though there will be drastic shifts in various sectors as people look to further their careers to protect themselves from the current economic crisis.