Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on FlexJobs.com.
As the job market continues to evolve, FlexJobs analyzes the latest trends impacting today’s workforce to provide job seekers with up-to-date information on the issues affecting modern professionals.
From fears about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on job security to return-to-office (RTO) mandates prompting workers to seek new employment, job seekers are facing numerous challenges in their quest for long-term career fulfillment and work-life balance.
But many are willing to make a career change to find it.
To gain greater insight into the workforce’s experiences and perspectives on job-related decisions and career goals, FlexJobs developed a survey and polled over 2,000 U.S.-based professionals between February 4, 2025, and February 18, 2025.
The results, compiled here in FlexJobs’ 2025 State of the Workplace Report, reinforce earlier survey findings: There continues to be a strong demand for remote work options.
When that demand isn’t met by their current employer, the majority of workers are willing to change careers to secure the remote jobs they want.
Career Changes Motivated by Demand for Remote Work and Professional Growth
According to FlexJobs’ 2025 State of the Workplace Report, 69% of respondents said they have changed or considered changing career fields in the past year.
FlexJobs’ report found the top factors driving widespread career reevaluation to be:
- Remote work options (67%)
- Improved work-life balance (52%)
- Greater job fulfillment (48%)
- Expanded skill sets (40%)
“This data suggests a workforce that’s very much in flux, with the majority of people actively contemplating or making changes to their professional lives,” said Toni Frana, Lead Career Professional at FlexJobs.
“Whether or not the trend is a direct result of ongoing RTO debates, many workers are reconsidering their priorities and exploring new skills, industries, and career paths.”
1 in 3 Workers Quit or Considered Quitting in the Last 6 Months
FlexJobs’ survey revealed that one-third (33%) of respondents have considered quitting or already quit their jobs in the last six months. Specifically, 18% said they are considering quitting their current job, while 15% said they recently quit their job.
These findings indicate a stronger interest in long-term career satisfaction over immediate job dissatisfaction. In fact, FlexJobs’ report found several key factors were contributing to this workforce shift.
The leading causes of workers quitting or considering quitting include:
- Toxic company culture (69%)
- Feeling disrespected or undervalued at work (60%)
- Poor work-life balance (57%)
- Low or unfair pay (56%)
The Reasons Workers Cite for Quitting or Considering Quitting
Other top factors causing workers to quit or consider quitting their jobs include:
- Bad boss (54%)
- Stressful job (48%)
- No advancement opportunities (42%)
- Misaligned company values and personal values (38%)
- Inflexible work hours (37%)
- Disagreeable coworkers (25%)
- Limited or unfair vacation time (21%)
Employee Loyalty Is Wavering Post-Pandemic
While many professionals have long been accustomed to working from home, the pandemic created an even larger number of remote workers. According to the American Community Survey (ACS) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, the number and percentage of people working from home “more than tripled from 2019 to 2021.”
In conjunction with this massive shift to remote work driven by the pandemic, professionals began to recognize and reap the benefits of working from home. With remote work advantages like lower stress, more inclusivity, and better work-life balance, remote work options boost employee loyalty.
Unfortunately, however, some employers have recalled the remote work options granted during the pandemic despite its benefits. With the loss of remote work among employees forced to return to the office, employers face a loss of talent as well.
More than half of respondents to a FlexJobs survey on RTO mandates stated they know someone who has quit or intends to quit their job due to RTO mandates, highlighting the relationship between the availability of remote work options and employee loyalty.
In FlexJobs’ 2025 survey, more than a quarter (27%) of respondents admitted they are “somewhat” (14%) or “extremely” (13%) less loyal to their employers after the pandemic.
What Workers Say Would Improve Their Loyalty to a Company
When asked about the factors that would make workers more loyal to a company, the top responses were:
- Remote work options (68%)
- Higher pay (63%)
- Flexible schedules, such as four-day workweeks (61%)
- Recognition and appreciation to employees (56%)
- Routine cost-of-living adjustments (48%)
- Mentorship and development opportunities (41%)
- Strong company culture (36%)
- Stipends for health and wellness (33%)
These findings mirror FlexJobs’ 2024 State of the Workforce Report, which found that better pay, more flexible work options, and healthy company cultures promote employee retention.
Notably, in the six months between the survey cited above and the current poll, working professionals have held firm on five key demands to stay in their jobs: higher pay, the ability to work remotely, scheduling flexibility, professional development opportunities, and improved company culture.
The consensus? Demand for remote and flexible work is still top of mind for many professionals.
Desire for Remote Work Exceeds Desire for Better Pay and Benefits
While higher pay is a top factor in employee loyalty and retention, our survey results show remote work remains the most important factor when considering a new job opportunity.
More than one-third (37%) of respondents said remote work was the leading factor when contemplating a new job, which was 12% higher than those listing salary and benefits as the leading factor (25%).
However, high competition for jobs (47%) and a lack of remote work options (45%) were among the biggest frustrations workers face when job searching.
The Biggest Challenges Job Seekers Face
Other top challenges cited among job seekers include:
- Ageism and discrimination (44%)
- Lack of transparency in the hiring process (44%)
- Lack of work-life balance in many jobs (32%)
- Rise of AI and automation (29%)
- Emphasis on degrees over skills and experience (28%)
- Lack of job security (26%)
- Difficulty negotiating salary and benefits (16%)
Job Seekers Share Red Flag Phrases and Future Work Concerns
Job seekers are increasingly savvy, and they’re on the lookout for job search red flags.
When asked what they considered to be the biggest “red flag” phrase when evaluating job opportunities, respondents said the top phrases considered “red flags” in job postings are:
- “Rock star” (19%)
- “Wearing many hats” (18%)
- “Hustle” (17%)
- “We’re a family” (16%)
- “Fast-paced environment” (14%)
Additionally, when asked about their biggest fears regarding the future of work, workers cited the top three as:
- A reduction in remote work opportunities (21%)
- Concerns about AI-driven job displacement (19%)
- Erosion of worker rights (15%)
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