Perceptions of Jobs and Employment in America
Sadness and anxiety about the US job market is high.
A majority of Americans also plan to change employers over the next two years, with better compensation and increased flexibility top draws to a new employer.
Research Goals
In June 2022, Avalanche fielded a deep listening instrument to 1052 Americans in the workforce (employed full-time in a mix of industries) to understand their perceptions of the job market and the what changes they want to see in the workplace (particularly in light of the pandemic).
Methodology
An Avalanche Listening Instrument combines open and closed-ended questions. The Avalanche Insights Platform enables our team to quickly and confidently uncover themes and insights from qualitative data, with unprecedented nuance, depth and accuracy. We work with industry leading data collection partners to gather targeted samples of respondents.
When asked how they feel about the current direction of the American job market, 70% of respondents cite negative emotion, led by sadness and followed by anxiety and fear.
The majority of Americans plan to change employers, with 58% of respondents saying they are somewhat or very likely to apply for a job with a different employer over the next two years.
82%
of respondents say better compensation would draw them to a new organization.
19%
of respondents cite increased flexibility as a draw to a new employer. This is second most cited.
Flexibility and what it means for different people
After compensation (cited by 82% of all respondents), increased flexibility was the second most cited draw to a new company (cited by 19% of all respondents).
Seeking flexibility is correlated to age. Older respondents are more likely to cite flexibility compared to younger respondents. They are significantly more likely to reference remote work than younger respondents.
(Open-ended) What are the most important attributes or opportunities that would draw you to a new employer?
Men and women are equally likely to cite flexibility as a reason to seek new employment.
When we asked respondents to tell us something about themselves and their experience to better understand what they value about flexibility at work, 38% valued convenience & fit with lifestyle and 21% noted taking care of family / self.
However, women are nearly twice as likely as men to mention taking care of family, children and appointments. Men are more likely than women to reference freedom, convenience and lifestyle.
In their own words:
Convenience & fit with lifestyle
The ability to take care of a personal matter without consequence & make up the time
I have worked from home a couple of times and I am so much more productive and happy. I am required to commute 1 hour one way to work, so 2 hrs total each day. Working from home give me so much more balance.
Knowing we have things outside of work.
Take care of family / self
It's because I have a family at home. If anything were to happen they would be my first priority.
I value being able to have time for family. If an emergency comes up with any family members, I expect my work to understand and let me have the time off needed without argument.
I have children and I like to be involved in activities so I want the freedom to work when I can.
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