A significant share of America’s working population, particularly its younger labor force, is considering quitting amid overall job dissatisfaction and a lack of opportunities to progress their career.

According to a survey by recruitment marketing agency HireClix, 38 percent of employees intend to quit their job, up from 32 percent last year. In addition, Gen Z emerged as the most likely to depart, with 54 percent saying that they plan on leaving their current place of work, compared to 30 percent in 2024.

Why It Matters

The figures paint a concerning picture of employee retention in the U.S. and, as HireClix notes, point to “an increasing need for companies to focus on addressing the concerns of these groups, which include growth opportunities, pay equity, and overall organizational culture.”

The desire to quit and overall job dissatisfaction has not translated into any mass departure from the workplace, however. Conversely, evidence suggests employees are holding onto their jobs tighter than ever. Experts told Newsweek previously that this phenomenon, known as “job hugging,” serves as a worrying signal of prevalent weakness in the U.S. labor market.

What To Know

HireClix’s results were based on a survey of more than 1,000 working Americans. As well as Gen Z employees, those earning under $100,000 (50 percent), millennials (47 percent) and women (41 percent) expressed a desire to leave their current employers.

Among the reasons why workers are wanting to walk away, 44 percent mentioned no longer enjoying their job. While this marks a notable decline from 60 percent in 2024, other factors have grown in significance this year. The number citing insufficient raises and bonuses increased to 36 percent from 29 percent, those pointing to a work-life imbalance rose to 32 percent from 26 percent, while 31 percent highlighted a lack of growth opportunities with their current employer, up from 29 percent.

The relative importance of these varied across age groups. Gen Z employees and baby boomers both prioritized job enjoyment and relationships with managers, while millennials and those in Generation X were more focused on competitive pay, growth opportunities and securing a favorable work-life balance.

To work psychologist Paula Caligiuri, the share of workers wanting to leave their current job is a reflection of both long-term issues that have plagued employee retention, but also more contemporary economic factors.

“For decades and for many, work has been an exchange (loyalty for security/income). That contract dissolved a long time ago,” she told Newsweek. “Companies kept asking for loyalty while quietly reducing the cost of talent. So, for many, pensions are gone, raises don’t match cost of living, and career ladders don’t create upward movement. Workers adapted. They viewed their employers as temporary and transactional.”

Read the full article here.