Survey: 37% of US Employees Seek New Jobs, Demand For Work-Life Balance

Posted February 19, 2024

A poll survey from Express Employment Professionals-Harris shows 37 percent of U.S. employees are actively searching for a new job in 2024 and fewer believe there are more job opportunities in their chosen field.

Only 28 percent believe there are more opportunities in their field, a decrease from 34 percent in 2023.

Survey reception is mixed regarding difficulty as 51 percent of job seekers report it will be easy while 49 percent say it will be difficult. Despite the nearly even divide, approximately 7 in 10 job seekers believe it will take six months or less to find a new job, according to the survey.

Why are these employees searching for new jobs to begin with? Fear in lack of career advancement, among other woes, is a large factor for most.

A majority of 85 percent report fears regarding their current job. The largest fear is not getting the salary increase/raise they deserve at 48 percent. A change in team structure and losing their job before finding a new one follow at 29 percent and 28 percent, respectively.

Other challenges for employed job seekers include negotiable better compensation at 51 percent, work-life balance at 41 percent and better growth opportunities in their current industry at 38 percent. Work-life balance is becoming more important for employees as 34 percent report having to put starting a family on hold due to a lack of work-life balance.

Additionally, 59 percent say it’s essential that their future company prioritizes work-life balance as they look to start a family.