Job Satisfaction Hits Record Lows as Men's Desire for Full-Time Work Declines

Job satisfaction in the UK has fallen to its lowest point since 1989, with a new survey indicating a significant decline in men's desire to work full-time. The British Social Attitudes (BSA) survey found that just 74 percent of people polled reported being satisfied with their work, a drop from 81 percent in 2015.

The survey, which polled 4,656 individuals aged 16 and older between late August and early October, also revealed a decrease in the proportion of working-age adults who wish to work full-time. This figure has fallen from 57 percent in 2015 to 47 percent in 2025. The analysis by the Resolution Foundation think tank suggests this trend is almost entirely driven by men.

Fewer than two-thirds (62 percent) of working-age men now wish to work full-time, a substantial decrease from 77 percent a decade prior. In contrast, the preference for full-time work among women remained largely unchanged, with 38 percent expressing this desire in the latest survey compared to 37 percent previously.

The decline was particularly pronounced among men aged 30 to 49, where the desire for full-time work dropped by 19 percentage points, from 86 percent to 67 percent. The research indicates this decrease was not limited to fathers and also affected single men and those without children under 16.

While the actual percentage of people in full-time employment has risen from 57 percent to 60 percent over the past decade, the shift in preferences suggests underlying changes in attitudes towards work. Other indicators of job satisfaction have also declined. The proportion of workers reporting having an interesting job fell from 74 percent to 63 percent, and opportunities for advancement decreased from 35 percent to 26 percent.

Flexibility has become a more valued aspect of employment. Sixty-one percent of workers now feel it is important to have control over their working hours, up from 46 percent in 2015, although only 31 percent currently have this flexibility. The survey also noted that 16 percent of workers reported being fully remote, with an additional 34 percent working in a hybrid model.

Economists suggest that factors such as shifting priorities post-pandemic, increased health issues, and caregiving responsibilities may be contributing to these changes. While a reduction in working hours can be positive, a widespread decrease in the desire for full-time work could have implications for individual earnings, the broader economy, and overall living standards.