Job satisfaction among British workers has fallen to its lowest recorded level, while employees are becoming increasingly reluctant to go beyond their contractual responsibilities, according to new analysis from the Resolution Foundation.
Drawing on the latest British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey, the research reveals that job satisfaction has declined from 81% to 74% over the past decade, the lowest figure recorded in the survey’s history.
Meanwhile, the proportion of employees willing to work harder than required to help their employer succeed has dropped from 69% in 2015 to 55% in 2025.
The findings highlight a growing disconnect between employees’ expectations and their experiences at work, raising concerns about the potential implications for workforce engagement, retention and productivity.
The proportion of workers describing their jobs as interesting has fallen from 74% to 63%, while those reporting opportunities for career advancement declined from 35% to 26%.
Pay and flexibility have also become increasingly important considerations.
Some 78% of respondents now consider a high income important when choosing a job, up from 67% a decade ago, yet only 23% believe their current role provides one.
Similarly, 61% value control over their working hours, compared with 46% previously, but just 31% say their job offers this flexibility.
The research also identified changing attitudes towards full-time employment. The proportion of working-age adults who would ideally work full-time fell from 57% in 2015 to 47% in 2025, driven entirely by declining preferences among men.
However, the findings challenge suggestions that younger generations are becoming less interested in employment. Just 2% of under-30s who are not full-time students said they would ideally prefer not to work.
Hannah Slaughter, Principal Economist at the Resolution Foundation, said workers increasingly wanted jobs offering “flexibility, independence and financial security”, but many felt these expectations were not being met.
The research also found that 60% of working-age adults were concerned about technology replacing jobs, although only 22% of workers feared their own position was at risk.
The findings underline the importance of reviewing employee engagement strategies, career development opportunities, reward structures and flexible working arrangements.
The Resolution Foundation warns that declining satisfaction and discretionary effort could have wider consequences for productivity and labour supply, making the quality of employment an increasingly important consideration for organisations seeking to attract, motivate and retain staff.
