More than half (53%) of UK workers plan to make changes to their careers in the next 12 months as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic, and one in ten aim to find a role that will allow them to work from home according to a new study from Aviva.
The ‘How We Live Report’, based on data from a survey of 4,002 randomly selected UK adults aged 16 and upwards and carried out by Censuswide Research on 10-17 July 2020 on behalf of Aviva, found the most popular career aspiration emerging from the crisis was the desire for flexibility. One in six of those working in London said they intend to find a role that will allow them to work remotely.
Just behind the hope for flexibility was the aspiration to retrain or learn new skills, a plan for 9% of UK workers. This rises to 15% of people aged 25-34. Echoing this view, 8% of workers hoped to gain more academic qualifications in the next 12 months.
Covid-19 has also expedited some people’s retirement plans. Within the 55-64 age group, 10% of workers said they plan to retire within the next 12 months, as a direct result of the Covid situation.