What happened
A recent survey of 2,000 American office workers found that 48% of respondents are exploring backup career options, a phenomenon known as 'career cushioning.' This involves preparing for alternative careers in case their current job does not meet their expectations. The survey revealed that 77% of workers have started preparing for a backup career, with motivations including doing something they enjoy, achieving a better lifestyle or less stress, or losing their current job.
The study also found that 91% of workers have stayed in their current job for the past two years, despite feeling optimistic about their job stability. However, nearly half of those who have stayed in their current job reported significant changes in their responsibilities and duties over the past two years, including learning new technologies, facing economic shifts, and picking up extra work for peers.
Additionally, the survey found that 79% of workers have learned new skills for their current job, with many believing that these skills will still be relevant in two years. The majority of workers learned these new skills through employer-provided training, online courses, or free tutorials. The survey also found that 82% of managers would rather train their current employees to learn new skills than hire someone new, and 87% believe their organization would play a role in paying for employee retraining in a new role.
