Workers seek greener pastures

New job on Aussie wishlist

ONE in 10 Aussie workers plan to quit their job next year, potentially sending 1.4 million people into the job market.

Workers in New South Wales (12 per cent) and Western Australia (10 per cent) were most likely to be planning a change, while those in the ACT (4 per cent) and South Australia (6 per cent) were most content where they were.

New research from financial comparison website finder.com.au also revealed women (11 per cent compared with 10 per cent for men) and young people were more likely to want to quit in 2018.

More than a quarter of Generation Z workers (29 per cent) expected to be on the job hunt next year, compared with 12 per cent of Generation Y, 9 per cent of Generation X and just 5 per cent of Baby Boomers.

Bessie Hassan, money expert at finder.com.au, said Millennials were known for changing jobs regularly.

“Generation Z is now entering the workforce, however this age group is more likely to be engaged in part-time or casual work, which could be why they are less loyal to the companies they are currently working for,” she said.

“It’s also likely they’re studying so are probably more focused on earning an income on the side rather than pursuing a career.

“Baby Boomers are more risk-averse and potentially concerned about quitting or switching jobs so close to retirement age.”

Ms Hassan said quitting a job without another lined up was a big financial risk, especially for workers who did not have enough savings for them to be jobless for a few months.

The research found people with credit card debt (9 per cent) were more likely to quit their job than those without debt (5 per cent).

Previous data from finder.com.au also found more than half of Australians (55 per cent) could not last three months jobless using only their current savings.

Traci Stubbs, 44, quit her administration job at an employment services company earlier this year after receiving threats from a woman she was trying to help.

She did not have another role lined up but enrolled in a vocational qualification in education support and recently landed a job at a TAFE book store and library.

“It’s scary quitting your job, it’s terrifying, but I’m very happy that I did it,” she said.

“I am hoping with this job I can stay for a long time.”

Picture: DAVID CROSLING TAKE THE LEAP: Traci Stubbs quit her position at the start of the year and is now in a job she loves. She says quitting can be scary but for her was ultimately worthwhile.