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New Year’s resolutions: 62% of US workers plan a work-related change

December 20, 2016

New Year’s resolutions for 62% of American workers include making a work-related change, according to Spherion Staffing’s latest WorkSphere survey. Changes include overall performance improvement, learning a new professional skill, finding a new job, negotiating a higher salary, embarking on a new career or starting a new business.

The survey also found workers remain uncertain about the jobs outlook for the New Year: 27% of all workers agreed that 2017 will be better, while only slightly less, 24%, disagree. Conversely, millennials tend to be more upbeat about 2017, with 41% agreeing 2017 will be better than 2016 for jobs.

“With the New Year approaching, it’s the perfect time for employees to take a step back and determine if they are truly happy with the trajectory of their careers, and whether they would like to make any changes to improve their current professional situations,” said Spherion Division President Sandy Mazur. “It’s equally important, however, for employers to take notice of employees’ priorities for the New Year to better meet their expectations and maximize the potential for retention and job happiness.”

Not surprisingly, “making more money” topped the list of career-related resolutions for all workers in 2017, at 28%. However, the survey also found 40% of workers are interested in relocating for professional reasons, and the same is true for 62% of millennials. Furthermore, 90% of workers who have job or career-related resolutions are interested in changing industries.

The Spherion survey was conducted online in November 2016 with market research data collection organization Research Now.