A nationwide study commissioned by ACS International Schools has revealed that 10% of the British workforce plans to resign this month, with the majority intending to hand in their notice on Monday, January 5. The data, which surveyed over 3,500 people, indicates a significant shift in the UK labor market as employees seek a “career overhaul” in the new year.
The research highlights a deep-seated dissatisfaction with current employment structures. Approximately 25% of workers reported being unhappy in their roles, while 41% expressed a desire to completely change their professional field in 2026. Of those planning to quit this month, 37% cited their first day back as their target date for resignation. The move toward self-employment is also growing, with 26% of respondents aiming to start their own business this year.
A central theme of the report is “career regret” stemming from early educational and parental pressures. Half of all working Britons feel they were funneled into a career path they did not choose, and 25% specifically attributed this to parental influence. Consequently, 15% of workers reported experiencing depression related to their current positions. Furthermore, 66% of parents and 62% of teenagers believe the UK’s current exam system forces children to specialize too early, effectively narrowing their professional options before they fully understand the opportunities available.
Martin Hall, Head of School at ACS Hillingdon, expressed concern over the findings, noting that the system responsible for these regrets remains largely unchanged. “The research shows that the nation’s workers feel short-changed,” Hall stated. “Parents experiencing career regret shouldn’t assume the only path is the one they took.” In response to these experiences, 85% of parents today say they will encourage their children to follow their own interests rather than prioritizing traditional security.
The study also revealed that many workers were actively discouraged from pursuing “dream careers” by advisors. Approximately 17% were told that professional sports were unrealistic, while 14% were discouraged from music and 12% from acting. As a result, 54% of British workers say they are currently not working in their “dream” career, with 18% admitting they feel envious of those who are.
