Workers prioritise mental health over higher salary

Following the pandemic, employees are finding it more difficult to keep up with their ambitions in the workplace and have been prioritising wellbeing over traditional career milestones. This change is being touted as ‘quiet ambition’.

Research from metaverse platform Rethinkly has found that 39 per cent of Brits stated they would prioritise their wellbeing over a higher salary or career progression.

As a result of this, workplace trends such as ‘quiet ambition’ become symptomatic of the workforce’s changing needs – catalysing companies to audit their culture.

According to a new report published by Fortune, the consequences of a worldwide pandemic, rising inflation, and a potential recession have left workers reassessing what is truly important to them. Therefore, trends like ‘quiet ambition’ are growing in the workplace, with mental health and wellbeing support becoming a greater priority for workforces.

Co-founders of Rethinkly Andrew Jackson and David Tinker said: “Whether work is a grind or a dream job, we spend an average of 13–14 years of our lives doing it! Work has a huge impact on our wellbeing which underpins the culture, the relationships, and the way work gets done.”

They added: “Ambitious organisations understand their role in actively addressing employee wellbeing and the opportunity for their businesses. There is a direct payback both financially as data shows spending £1 will get them £5 back, and in growth by unlocking innovation and creativity.”