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A new Pew Research Center study has revealed that while many employees are content with certain aspects of their jobs, dissatisfaction around pay, promotion opportunities, and flexible working continues to grow.
The findings come as companies grapple with shifting workforce expectations and the challenges of balancing in-office and remote work demands.
Satisfaction levels vary
Of the 5,200 adults surveyed in October, half reported being extremely or very satisfied with their jobs, with another 38% feeling somewhat satisfied. Some 12% of respondents expressed outright dissatisfaction, however, a figure that aligns with rising workplace challenges in recent years.
Certain demographics, including older workers, self-employed individuals, and those earning middle to upper incomes, reported higher satisfaction levels. Positive relationships with co-workers and managers were cited as key factors for job satisfaction, along with commute experiences among those who travel to a workplace.
Workers want remote work
One significant pain point, however, is remote work flexibility. Some 40% of respondents said they were dissatisfied with not being able to work remotely, reflecting widespread frustration as major companies like Amazon, Citigroup, and Walmart reduce remote and hybrid options.
The shift in policy has sparked debates about the future of remote work and whether companies risk alienating employees by limiting flexibility. For many workers, the option to work from home has become synonymous with better work-life balance, making its absence a top source of dissatisfaction.
Pay and career concerns
Compounding the issue, salary dissatisfaction remains high, with 80% of workers stating their pay hasn’t kept pace with the cost of living. Other concerns include being underpaid for the quality (71%) and quantity (70%) of their work, struggling to meet basic financial obligations (54%), and feeling undervalued compared to peers (28%).
Opportunities for advancement also emerged as a sore spot, with 38% of workers expressing unhappiness with promotion prospects. The lack of access to training and development has further amplified these concerns, dropping from 44% satisfaction in early 2023 to just 37% in October 2024.
Gen Z push back
Generational divides in workplace attitudes are also evident. While most workers (76%) say they go above and beyond in their roles, younger employees aged 18 to 29 are more likely to stick to their job descriptions. It’s a trend that aligns with Gen Z's reputation for rejecting “hustle culture” and prioritizing work-life boundaries.
As dissatisfaction grows, 25% of employees say they plan to look for new jobs in the next six months. With more than half of respondents (52%) believing that finding work is harder now than it was two years ago, however, many anticipate a challenging job market.
The report highlights a critical takeaway for employers: as workers’ demands for flexibility and fair compensation grow louder, addressing these concerns will be essential to maintaining satisfaction and retaining talent.
