Two in five UK workers ready to leave their job in 2022

Over two fifths of UK workers plan to change jobs in 2022, research from Soffos.ai has revealed.

The global producer of AI-powered EdTech solutions commissioned an independent survey among more than 1,200 UK adults in both full-time and part-time employment. It found 43% are either actively looking for or considering finding a new job by the end of 2022.

Of this sample, 45% say the prospect of interviewing via video call is more appealing than a face-to-face interview. However, many job hunters harbour concerns about the prospect of starting a role that is primarily remote.

Over half (53%) say they are worried about the prospect of not being able to meet their new colleagues and managers in person, with even more (60%) concerned it would be more difficult to integrate into a company culture if not working in an office.

The onboarding experience is a point of contention: 53% of job seekers think the process would be less thorough than an in-person induction if done remotely. Similar numbers (54%) believe starting a new job in a remote or hybrid working setup mean it would take longer to get up to speed.

Soffos.ai’s study also showed that 44% of employees find it harder to reach out to new colleagues if limited to video calls and email. The vast majority of those looking for a new job (69%) would still like to have some in-person induction sessions or informal meetups with managers, even if their next role was primarily remote.

Nikolas Kairinos, CEO and founder of Soffos.ai, said: “The so-called ‘Great Resignation’ defined the working landscape in 2021 and clearly, this zeitgeist isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Our research shows that a considerable number of employees are still weighing up their job prospects and seeking out new opportunities in 2022, with working conditions a significant motivation for many.

“However, job seeking in the current climate comes with its own set of challenges. Our findings suggest that many people are concerned about starting a new role if unable to do in-person introductions and training. These fears are understandable – without the right technologies and processes in place, starting a new job remotely can be extremely difficult.

“Employers must rethink old ways of hiring and engaging employees. Technologies that can help with onboarding, not to mention ongoing training, in a personalized manner will be hugely valuable. Ultimately, the companies that find success in the New Year will be the ones who kick back hardest against the turnover crisis and turn ‘resignation’ into retention.”