A new survey from FlexJobs found that poor work-life balance is the top reason workers say they resign. The survey, which was conducted in June 2023, polled over 1,000 professionals and found that 42% were actively thinking about quitting their job, and another 20% had recently quit.
After poor work-life balance, workers most commonly said they were driven to job hunt by low or unfair pay (35%); a toxic culture (34%); and a feeling that they were disrespected or undervalued (33%).
The results stand in contrast to last year’s: In FlexJobs’ 2022 survey, toxic culture took the top spot.
“It’s clear that workers are fed up with feeling like they have to choose between their careers and their personal lives,” said Brie Reynolds, a career expert at FlexJobs. “Employers need to take steps to improve work-life balance if they want to retain top talent.“
There are a number of things employers can do to improve work-life balance for their employees, including:
- Offering flexible work arrangements, such as telecommuting or flextime
- Providing paid parental leave and other family-friendly benefits
- Creating a culture of trust and respect
- Setting clear expectations for work hours and deadlines
- Offering wellness programs and resources
By taking steps to improve work-life balance, employers can create a more positive and productive work environment for their employees.
What does this mean for employers?
The results of this survey should be a wake-up call for employers. If they want to retain top talent, they need to take steps to improve work-life balance for their employees. Here are a few things employers can do:
- Offer flexible work arrangements. This could include telecommuting, flextime, or compressed workweeks.
- Provide paid parental leave and other family-friendly benefits. This shows employees that their employer values their personal lives and is committed to their overall well-being.
- Create a culture of trust and respect. This means giving employees the autonomy to manage their own time and workload, and trusting them to get their work done.
- Set clear expectations for work hours and deadlines. This helps employees avoid working excessive hours and feeling stressed.
- Offer wellness programs and resources. This could include on-site fitness centers, health screenings, or stress management classes.
By taking these steps, employers can create a more positive and productive work environment for their employees. This will lead to increased employee satisfaction, engagement, and productivity.