Member Article

UK workers ?value money over job satisfaction?

The average UK worker fell into his or her career and doesn’t feel very fulfilled at work but puts up with it because the money is good, according to research published by jobs website, Gumtree.com.

The results show that most workers definitely work to live, rather than live to work, as they would be willing to take only a very small, or even no pay cut, if the perfect opportunity came along.

Gumtree say that over half of British workers are in their chosen career purely by chance. 29% say they specifically chose their career, while only 8% are doing something they’ve wanted to do since they were young. In addition, the survey reveals that, given the choice, UK employees are more likely to choose money over job satisfaction. If the ‘perfect’ career opportunity came along, the average pay cut people would be willing to take for their dream job is only 7.2%. Around half (48%) are not prepared to make any salary sacrifice, preferring to stick with their current job.

The Apprentice runner-up Ruth Badger said: “I’d much rather take two part time jobs where I was completely satisfied with my career that paid me as much as one full time job I hated. “There is often an element of risk with part time work, but sometimes if you are not happy in your current role it can provide a stopgap whilst you find what it is you really want to do.”

Sophy Silver, spokesperson for Gumtree.com, said: “It’s not really surprising that a lot of people value money above anything else when it comes to their careers – we’re very much a ‘work to live generation’ these days, with people looking to fund their lifestyles by working hard.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .