# UK workers’ job satisfaction hits its lowest level since 1989

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/uk-job-satisfaction-at-record-low-amid-rising-frustration-over-pay-and-flexible-working/
- Published: 2026-11-03T05:00:39+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T07:12:46+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/money/2026/nov/03/uk-job-satisfaction-record-low-frustration-pay-flexible-working-insecure-employment
- Topics: Business, Research, Science, UK, World

## Key points

- UK job satisfaction fell to 74%, its lowest level since 1989.
- Fewer workers are willing to go beyond their required duties.
- Pay, flexibility and security are central to growing frustration.

## Summary

Job satisfaction among UK workers fell to a record low in 2025, with growing frustration over pay, flexibility, job security and independence. The Resolution Foundation says workers are less willing to put in extra effort, a trend that could weigh on productivity and labour supply.

The British Social Attitudes survey found satisfaction fell from 81% in 2015 to 74% in 2025, its lowest level since records began in 1989. The share willing to work harder than required to help their employer dropped from 69% to 55%, while those who found their job interesting fell from 74% to 63%. Separate Ipsos polling found 69% were satisfied in 2026, compared with 83% in 1976.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.