A new report from recruitment specialist Randstad reveals that British workers put their wellbeing above work. According to the Randstad work monitor report, 35% of people would rather be unemployed than unhappy in their jobs, 48% would quit a job if it prevented them from enjoying their lives, and 63% believe their personal lives are more important than their jobs.
According to the research, 29% of people also said they left a job that didn’t fit with their personal life.
Bring it on
Randstad has launched a video series called ‘Bring it on’ to recognise people who have changed careers and changed their lives for the better. As part of the series, four people are showcased, whose jobs range from ensuring the UK’s cyber security to delivering rugby-based training to prisoners.
Purvi: Breaking glass ceilings as a woman in Cyber Security
Now a senior leader in Cyber Security for the UK Government, Purvi has always dreamed of being involved in aerospace. In her native India, this was a hard dream to pursue. Purvi moved to the UK and studied engineering at university before joining the Ministry of Defence (MoD) as an engineering graduate.
During her time there, she worked on fighter jets and nuclear weapons. Purvi loved working there but was motivated to explore new opportunities in the Civil Service. Moving away from the MoD, Purvi took up a role in Cyber Security for the Home Office. She is now a senior leader in Cyber Security for the UK Government. Alongside her primary role, she is also championing other women to join Cyber Security, bringing D&I into the sector.
Shaun: “Being bullied at work left me suicidal”
Construction worker Shaun was stuck in an unfulfilling role, in which he suffered workplace bullying, which left him suicidal. He would often come home crying. This comes as construction industry suicide rates are rising, with those in the sector three times more likely to take their own lives than in other sectors. Shaun has since made a positive career change which has helped turn his life around. He’s now working in a job where he’s been able to make a meaningful contribution, including recladding the Grenfell Tower following the 2017 disaster.
Indiana: “If I can be in the same room as you, then I am also equal to you.”
As a young, Black woman, Indiana has always gained strength from her unwavering belief that “If I can be in the same room as you, then I am also equal to you”.
Working in the male-dominated Finance industry in her early 20s as an Office Manager at an FX firm, she often found herself the only woman of colour in the room. When Covid struck, she took the opportunity to rethink her life choices, and she decided to make a change.
Even though she had always wanted to work in the technology sector, she had a hard time making the transition; only 19% of the tech workforce is female, and only 22% of students can name a famous woman working in technology. Indiana spent the pandemic improving her skills to become more marketable in the tech industry.
Indiana landed her dream job and is now a Business Development Manager for a publicly funded Business to Government (B2G) company working with procurement and disbursements.
Tom: From the Army to preparing prisoners for careers
Tom felt lost and left behind after ten years of serving in the army with the Parachute Regiment. Looking to forge a new path, but with no direction in mind, he left the Army to study Sports at university. In 2021 Tom landed his dream job with the Saracens Foundation as a project officer running the Get Onside project. The project supports prisoners, preparing them for life outside their cells with career training programmes and rugby sessions.
Coaching for a new job
The company’s new career coaching program, Randstad RiseSmart, offers Britons the chance to find a new job by helping them transition to a new role.
Randstad’s RiseSmart programme is delivered by professional coaches and consists of two-three career coaching sessions per person. Participants will gain full access to Randstad RiseSmart’s career development platform. During the sessions, participants can discuss anything from changing roles, changing careers, or improving their skillset in current positions.
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