Why 6 out of 10 Greeks want to change jobs…

The recovery from the pandemic is pushing employees to rethink what they want out of their lives and careers. According to Randstad, many employees feel undervalued.

Randstad's latest Workmonitor survey found that 62% of Greek workers are looking for a new job, with 30% actively moving in that direction and 16% having recently changed jobs. Evidence shows that the post-pandemic recovery is pushing workers to rethink what they want out of their lives and careers, a movement found in other countries that Randstad describes as the "Great Enlightenment."

The Randstad Workmonitor survey, the global leader in the field of Human Resources services, is conducted in 34 markets worldwide with the participation of 27.000 employees and in Greece was conducted between August 23 and September 12, 2021, with the participation of 1.000 respondents.

According to the research findings:

59% of respondents in Greece feel the need to make changes in the balance of professional and personal life since the pandemic began. The corresponding global average is 49%.

78% in Greece compared to 76% worldwide stated that they want more flexibility in their work and career, based on the experience gained from the pandemic.

73% have more clarity about their professional goals and 72% have more clarity about their personal goals since the beginning of the pandemic, a percentage corresponding to the global average.

The Workmonitor survey is conducted twice a year in Greece and gives us the opportunity to measure the pulse of human resources in the country. The current Workmonitor survey found that many employees feel undervalued. 62% are looking for a job because they feel they are not being rewarded fairly or adequately for their current skills.

In the last 18 months, 85% re-evaluated how work is part of their personal schedule, while 42% said they feel more stressed by the pandemic and at the same time that they should make changes in their professional life.

35% of Greek respondents stated that they were promoted but only 12% stated that they received a salary increase. 14% stated that they have not received a salary increase, nor do they expect to receive one. Last year, the ability to earn an income improved for 12% of Greek workers, due to the increase in demand for their skills.

89% agree to continue attending training and retraining programs to increase their employability. However, 55% find it difficult to decide which skills to focus on or acquire, given the rapid changes in the world of work. 80% would like the Greek government or its employer to provide a skills assessment test, so that it can better understand what skills it should focus on.

During the pandemic, for 37% of Greek respondents, skills have become more important. 66% would consider looking for a job outside Greece, if it can be done remotely.