Nearly Half of UK Workforce Plans Career Change as Recession Looms

In a recent survey conducted by People 1st in connection with its Great Places 2 Work campaign, the headline findings show that:

• Over 50% of British workers are not stimulated by their current job
• 45% of UK workforce considering major career change as recession looms
• Legal profession amongst the happiest sectors in current climate; sales and retail staff amongst the unhappiest
• Sense of achievement is key factor in motivating women, while money motivates men
• Survey dispels the myth of the “Real Life Gordon Ramsays” in the Hospitality industry

In a survey revealed today (1st December 2008), over 50% of the UK workforce admitted they lack stimulation at work, with only 1 in 10 stating they currently experience a high level of stimulation.

The poll was conducted for www.greatplaces2work.co.uk, the website dedicated to attracting young people to work in the Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism industry.

Most stimulated from the survey are Plumbers / Electricians (80%); by contrast 67% of employees surveyed from the Human Resources sector stated they are not stimulated. The Scots came top of the regional table, with over 52% stating that they were stimulated by their role, whilst over 60% of Welsh are not stimulated by their current job.

Of the older generation, 57% of the 51-55 age group expressed stimulation in their current role. At the other end of the scale, a paltry 29% of the 19-21 age group said they were stimulated, with 45% of the 22-25 demographic.

The key factor in providing stimulation at work is a sense of achievement for women closely followed by money, whilst for men the reverse is true. Both found using their brain the third most important factor, with work environment in fourth place.

The survey also revealed that 45% of the British workforce would like to make a major career change in the near future, suggesting that the UK workforce recognises the need for flexibility in the looming recession.

With job cuts across the city and financial services industry, 43% of the financial sector expressed a desire to change profession. Top of the list of professions looking for a career change were the Armed Forces at 73%, followed by 60% of those surveyed from the Customer Services / Call Centres industry. Those surveyed from the Nursing / Health sector, a traditionally recession-proof industry, were least likely to change roles at only 31%.

Most friendly workplaces were surveyed as part of the poll, and those sectors finishing top of the list were Media (51%), Construction / Property (42%) and Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism (39%).

The survey also investigated the levels of banter at work. Plumbers / Electricians enjoyed the best banter (80%), closely followed by the Armed Forces (73%) and Education workers (69%). Engineers / Telecoms trailed in at the bottom with only 36% enjoying a laugh at work. Construction / Property workers have the best social life at work (55%), closely followed by Media workers (50%) and, perhaps surprisingly, Education workers (45%). Engineers / Telecoms again trailed at the bottom with only 32% stating they had a social life at work.

The survey also examined the importance of providing good customer service. Hospitality, Travel, Tourism and Leisure easily came top with 73% stating it was very important, followed by 68% in Sales and 64% in Health and Nursing.

Finally in the survey, respondents across all sectors were asked about swearing and shouting in the workplace, to try to establish where the “Gordon Ramsay” type bosses were most likely to be found. Contrary to perceived stereotypes, the Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism industry is amongst those sectors at the bottom of the list, with bosses swearing only 1.97 times a day on average. However, bosses in the Legal (av. 3.73), Sales (av. 3.31) and Recruitment (av. 3.67) professions featured highly amongst those who swear and shout the most in the workplace.

Life Coach Pete Cohen said: “In the current economic climate, it's hardly surprising that so many people are considering a career switch. Employers need to consider a range of factors to keep staff stimulated from providing better skills training to ensuring the office is a fun place to work.”

Sharon Glancy of www.greatplaces2work.co.uk commented: “The country is facing challenging times over the coming year so it is perhaps unsurprising that such a large proportion of the UK workforce is considering changing careers but it's best not to jump out of the frying pan into the fire! The website www.greatplaces2work.co.uk can help inform those looking for a challenging new career in the Hospitality, Leisure, Travel and Tourism sector. We only register jobs with recognised good employers giving candidates the best start to their career in a very dynamic industry.”