UK job satisfaction at record low amid rising frustration over pay and flexible working
Resolution Foundation study finds workers are less willing to go ‘above and beyond for employers than a decade ago’ 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…
The Resolution Foundation study reveals UK workers have reached a record low level of job satisfaction, driven by frustration over inadequate pay and flexible working conditions. In 2025, only 74% of workers were satisfied with their jobs, a sharp decline from 81% in 2015. The study indicates that a lack of flexible work arrangements, insecure employment, and a loss of independence have contributed to this drop in morale.
Only 4% of respondents stated there was little intrinsic value in working, while the proportion of individuals who found their jobs interesting fell from 74% to 63% over the decade. Hannah Slaughter, an economist at the foundation, noted that low pay and the rising cost of living have affected workers across all salary scales. Slaughter emphasized that the desire for flexible, independent, and financially secure jobs is growing, but many feel these expectations are not being met.
The report also highlights the declining willingness of workers to go "above and beyond" for their employers, falling from 69% in 2015 to 55% in 2025. Job mobility and productivity growth have slowed, and high economic inactivity among younger individuals has raised concerns. The foundation suggests that policymakers could improve productivity, labor supply, and living standards by providing workers with financially rewarding roles and flexible working hours.
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