More than a third (37%) of employees state that a good work-life balance would cause them to remain with their current employer, according to research by community interest organisation Investors in People.
Its 2019 Job exodus report, which surveyed 2,000 UK individuals in December 2018, also found that 34% of respondents are more likely to stay at their organisation if they have a good team.
In terms of what employees are looking for, the research discovered that more than two-fifths (45%) of respondents want job security more than a 3% pay rise, 16% simply want to feel valued at work and 25% rate being able to work flexibly. Despite this, pay still ranks highly for job seekers, with 54% looking for an increase in salary in their next job.
Of the 45% of employees who would like a new job for 2019, 33% are looking to change roles because they feel they can earn more money elsewhere, whereas 30% believe they would be more satisfied at a different organisation. A fifth (21%) do not think their skills are valued by their current employer, while 16% cite workplace stress as their motivation to move jobs.
Around a quarter (26%) of employees believe that Brexit will negatively impact their job security, and a further 5% do not have trust in their organisation’s leaders.
Paul Devoy (pictured), chief executive officer at Investors in People, said: “Despite a decade or more of research looking at the economic benefits of happiness, it’s frustrating that all too often, wellbeing at work focuses on reducing stress, not increasing happiness.
“Yet we know that humans want to be engaged in meaningful relationships, feel valued and useful. And that in this environment, people are both happier and more productive.
“Empirical analysis and experience have shown that increasing happiness has anything from a 12% to 14% effect on productivity. Some estimate that for every £1 that an organisation invests in mental wellbeing support, they can expect £9 return on investment.
“If organisations are to attract and retain talent, then leaders need to act on this area of employee experience and increase the happiness of their people.”