"Workplace satisfaction today boils down to three key areas: flexibility, fair compensation, and culture," Keith Spencer, career expert at Resume Now—an online platform that provides useful tools and resources to job seekers—told Bored Panda.
"Employees want the ability to work in ways that fit their lives, whether that means remote options or a schedule that allows for real work-life balance. Pay and benefits obviously matter, but beyond that, people want to feel valued. That means having a workplace where they feel heard, supported, and are given real opportunities for growth."
However, according to last year's State of Work in America survey from Grant Thornton, there's a legitimate reason for people to be irritated at—or with—their work.
Fifty-one percent of respondents reported having suffered burnout in the twelve months prior to it, a 15 percentage point jump since 2023.
Respondents said the top causes of their burnout were mental and emotional stress (63%), followed by long hours (54%).
While worker shortages can contribute to long hours, according to the researchers, the increase in mental and emotional stress as a cause of burnout is a concern because this increase can also be due to factors outside of the business's control.
While the increase in burnout was a major finding, the survey also discovered that:
- 30% assert their financial well-being declined this year, with 32% saying their mental well-being declined;
- 20% report there is little to no transparency in their career path;
- 62% hold a second job or are considering doing so;
- 52% say their organization will increase AI use in the next year;
- 34% cited poor communication as a top cause of work stress;
- 28% believe their role will be reduced or replaced by AI in the coming year.
And it's not just the US. Many places in the Western world are battling with similar problems. For example, about 45 percent of Australian workers across all generations also report being unhappy.
A new survey found that senior leadership and salary were the top two factors contributing to their dissatisfaction, but stress also plays a huge part, with 41 percent of respondents reporting having problems with it, as well as career progression opportunities (37 percent), and company commitment to social and environmental responsibility (35 percent).
Companies should take notice, because burnout can cause key leadership and top talent to become worn down. When this happens, they consider quitting their roles even amid concerns of job insecurity.
Consulting firm DDI's Global Leadership Forecast 2025 showed that among the 71% of stressed-out leaders surveyed, more than half were worried about burnout and nearly half have considered leaving their jobs as a result.
Known as "revenge quitting," highly talented employees can also abruptly leave their jobs to get back at companies where they felt overworked and undervalued. According to DDI, among high-potential contributors, the intention to quit increased from 13% in 2020 to 21% in 2024.
