56% of Smart Workers Plan to Leave Their Jobs Within a Year

Working Not Working Inc., a Fiverr (NYSE: FVRR) company and a leading creative talent acquisition platform, released the findings of its first ever (un)Happiness survey, revealing significant dissatisfaction among full-time creative professionals. The survey, conducted among nearly 1,000 full-time employees within the Working Not Working network, highlights growing dissatisfaction fueled by a perceived lack of investment by employers in key areas of job satisfaction, such as opportunities, company culture, professional development, perceived value, and flexibility.

Key Findings

The survey reveals a surprising fact: more than half (56%) of creative professionals are considering leaving their current full-time positions within the next year, and more than 40% plan to make the move in the next six months. This trend is alarming, especially in an industry where creativity and innovation are critical to business success.

• Widespread Unhappiness: A staggering 75% of respondents reported negative levels of happiness, ranging from feelings of indifference to outright suffering in their current roles. The survey underscores the large disconnect between employee expectations and employer actions, with 84% of respondents feeling inadequate and 97% citing a lack of clarity from leadership regarding career development.
• Freelancing is on the rise: Most creative professionals are self-employed, with over 65% working freelance outside of their full-time jobs. It is noteworthy that more than half of these workers have never informed their employers about their work for a living and have no plans to do so.
• Impact on Employee Retention: The data suggests that companies have an opportunity to change this sentiment. Key factors that can improve employee retention include increased wages, better access to project opportunities, flexibility in working hours and location, and a strong commitment to corporate values ​​and team structure. For example, flexibility in work schedules may extend employment time by more than three months, while improved access to opportunities may add more than 2.5 months.

Industrial Effects

Justin Gignac, Founder and CEO of Working Not Working, expressed concern about these findings, noting that despite the post-COVID reassessment of life’s priorities, many companies have failed to align their workforce management strategies with these new employee expectations. “We initially launched this as the Happiness Program, but the results quickly dictated that we rename it. At a time when our individuality and creativity should double as key differentiators, too many businesses that rely on creativity have left their employees feeling like cogs: tired, underutilized, and underappreciated. The solution is obvious: employees want to feel seen, respected and understood. They are looking for opportunities that match their passions. They want to do great work with a company and colleagues they believe in. And they want to be treated like people, not for people to feel free,” said Gignac.

The results of the study match the broader trends identified in a study from Forrester, which describes the ongoing “Declination of Employee Experience” across the corporate world. Companies are cutting back on investment in jobs, DEIB programs, and employee health programs, fueling employee dissatisfaction and driving the current exodus from full-time positions.

Opportunities for Employers

Despite the negative outlook, research indicates that companies have the power to reverse these trends by putting their employees first. By focusing on improving company culture, increasing flexibility, and providing clear career growth paths, employers can improve employee satisfaction and retention. According to this data, a strong commitment to these areas can extend employee tenure by several months, providing a clear return on investment for companies willing to put their employees first.

Image: Performance Not Working