A survey has found that more than half of UK workers are considering finding a new job within the year and according to recent reports collected by Instant Offices, most Brits are likely to hand in their resignation letters on 31st January - with a number calling in sick on the first Monday in February to attend interviews.

The survey - commissioned by accreditation body Investors in People – found that 24 per cent of respondents had already started actively job hunting. A further 32 per cent were considering changing their jobs, but had not yet started looking. The total number of respondents either searching or thinking about searching has increased by 8 per cent compared to 2019.

Investors in People have warned about increased levels of disillusionment in the workplace, stating that employers faced a ‘new year recruitment crisis’.

Nearly a quarter of workers - 23 per cent - were unhappy with their current job and 65 per cent dreaded going back to work after the weekend. Dissatisfaction with pay levels was expressed by 28 per cent of respondents, with 29 per cent of those considering changing roles stating that they believed that they could earn more money elsewhere. Not feeling valued was felt by 23 per cent - whilst 18 per cent of respondents cited lack of career progression.

Paul Devoy - CEO of Investors in People - said:

“Six years into our job exodus research, we’re still hearing that people want to be told ‘thank you’. It’s something so simple, so consistently important and potentially the best retention tool we’ve got.”

Friendly workplaces were also considered important by respondents to the survey, with 54 per cent saying that having a friend at work was important to them - whilst 25 per cent admitted to remaining in their job because of a friendship rather than because they enjoyed the work. In fact, 47 per cent of respondents said they would rather have a friendly workplace than a 3 per cent pay rise.

A 2019 YouGov survey had revealed that the top priorities for workers included travel and getting a promotion or pay rise; learning new skills and getting a new job. The top five reasons found in this survey as to why employees look to hand in their notices were low salary; job tenure; monotonous or boring work; job location or length of commute and disapproval of their boss or line manager.