Business1 min read

UK job satisfaction at record low amid rising frustration over pay and flexible working

By · Via The Guardian Business · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The British Social Attitudes survey analysis by the Resolution Foundation shows employee morale declining across all income brackets. Beyond wage stagnation and the cost of living, diminishing career advancement opportunities have dampened enthusiasm for full-time work. Consequently, the proportion of personnel finding their positions interesting has plummeted significantly since 2015. Experts caution that reversing this decline will require employers to offer more secure, autonomous, and financially viable positions.

Key points

  • Growing frustration over stagnant pay and reduced flexibility has substantially undermine…: Growing frustration over stagnant pay and reduced flexibility has substantially undermined overall workplace engagement throughout the country.
  • Workers are not avoiding employment entirely, with only 4% reporting that they see little…: Workers are not avoiding employment entirely, with only 4% reporting that they see little intrinsic value in having a job.
  • Prolonged declines in worker morale present serious long-term risks to national economic…: Prolonged declines in worker morale present serious long-term risks to national economic productivity and social mobility.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Job satisfaction among UK workers has dropped to a record low, according to a study that shows a growing frustration with employers over pay and flexible working.

Analysis by the Resolution Foundation thinktank shows that a lack of flexible working, insecure jobs and a loss of independence have undermined how workers feel about their employment.

Based on the 2025 British Social Attitudes survey, the study found a sharp fall in satisfaction at work that translated into British workers being less willing to go “above and beyond for their employers than they were a decade ago”.

Job satisfaction fell from 81% in 2015 to 74%, the lowest figure recorded in the British Social Attitudes survey since 1989, when the question was first asked.

Fewer workers said they had an interesting job or one that offered the chance of advancement. The proportion of workers who said they would work harder than required to help their employer succeed fell from 69% in 2015 to 55% in 2025.

The Resolution Foundation said its analysis would give policymakers an insight into how they could reverse…

Business