Six in 10 employees intend to change jobs within the next 12 months, according to new research from Aon. The study, which gathered responses from more than 9,000 workers in 23 countries, found that many employees are reconsidering their priorities and moving away from the “hustle culture” of recent years.
The 2025 Human Capital Employee Sentiment Study found that only about one-third of respondents feel motivated to learn new skills related to artificial intelligence. The research also revealed that, alongside competitive pay and benefits, a strong workplace culture is a key factor in attracting and retaining talent.
“It’s a common belief that the employee trends that took hold during the ‘Great Resignation’ of 2021 and 2022 are over, but our study results show a more nuanced picture of the workforce landscape,” said Lambos Lambrou, chief human capital officer at Aon. “Despite cooling in the job market, employees are reevaluating their values and priorities and, as they look for their next move, prioritizing employers that will support their life outside of work.”
Aon’s study refers to this shift in worker attitude as a “Hustle Reset.” Lisa Stevens, chief administrative officer at Aon, said the results show that “the war for talent is far from over” and that employers should deliver a strong experience to retain their best people. “Our firm is ready to help leaders make decisions that move the needle and foster loyalty amid the ‘Hustle Reset,’ creating an environment where employees can thrive,” she said.
The study notes that hybrid workers feel the most valued, while fully remote employees are 52 per cent more likely to feel undervalued. Office-based workers are 10 per cent more likely to feel undervalued. Personalization of benefits also emerged as a priority for most respondents, yet only 41 per cent said their current employer offers choice-based benefits. In addition, many employees remain unaware of the benefits available to them, pointing to gaps in communication between companies and their staff.
Executives and entry-level employees also held different views about AI. While 22 per cent of founders and C-suite executives said AI may replace jobs in their field, just 11 per cent of entry-level employees had the same concern. Entry-level workers were more likely to feel unsure of the impact AI would have on their roles.
Researchers said the findings show that many workers place greater importance on flexibility, culture and well-being. Pay, benefits, and an employer’s alignment with personal values were top considerations for those planning to move on.
