Study of 2,098 respondents finds 49% of US workers are considering leaving current place of work; those considering a switch are less likely to feel sense of belonging at work, which is associated by 76% with being treated fairly and respectfully: IPSOS

WASHINGTON, D.C. , January 24, 2022 (press release) –

The 2022 Workplace Belonging Survey finds that nearly half of employed Americans are considering leaving their current place of employment. Those that are considering a switch are less likely to feel a sense of belonging at work, which is most often associated with being treated fairly and respectfully – though belonging encompasses many more emotions.

This Ipsos survey conducted on behalf of Dr. Rumeet Billan also explores gaps in what workers think would lead to a sense of belonging at work and what they are currently experiencing at their jobs.

Detailed Findings

Most employed Americans feel having a sense of belonging at work means being treated fairly and respectfully, and that belonging leads to higher productivity at work.

• Nearly all (88%) strongly or somewhat agree that a sense of belonging leads to higher productivity at work, including a majority (54%) that strongly agree.
• Three quarters (76%) say having a sense of belonging at work means being treated fairly and respectfully.
• Two in three say a sense of belonging at work means having their perspective and/or contributions valued by their colleagues and superiors (64%) and working in an environment where they feel accepted (64%).

A large majority of employed Americans strongly or somewhat agree that they feel a sense of belonging at work. However, this varies by age and whether they are open to new opportunities or not.

• Four in ten (39%) strongly agree they feel a sense of belonging at work, while 79% strongly or somewhat agree.
• Employees that are not considering leaving their current role are more likely to strongly agree they feel a sense of belonging at work (54%).
• The majority currently feel like they are treated fairly and respectfully at work (59%) and that they work in an environment where they feel accepted (56%).
• The largest disparity between what workers think belonging means and what they currently feel at work is “being treated fairly and respectfully at work” (17 percentage point difference), followed by “having their perspective and/or contributions valued by their colleagues and superiors” and “feeling connected with others at work” (15 percentage point difference for both).

Almost half of employed Americans are actively looking for a new job or are open to a new opportunity, with differences arising by age.

• Nearly half (49%) are either currently looking for another job (10%) or open to a new opportunity but not currently looking (39%).
• Of those either looking for a new job or open to a new job but not looking, just over half (51%) would do so in the next 6 months.
• Those that are currently looking for another job are significantly more likely to feel lonely and excluded at work than those who are open to a new opportunity, but not looking and those not considering leaving their job.
• Workers ages 25-34 (15%) are more likely to be looking for a new job than those 35-49 (8%), 50-64 (9%), and 65+ (2%). They are also more likely to feel lonely at work (31%) than their colleagues 35+.

About the Study

The 2022 Workplace Belonging Survey was conducted January 7 – January 11, 2022 by Ipsos using our KnowledgePanel®. It was conducted on behalf of Dr. Rumeet Billan, a learning architect, speaker, and expert on psychological capital. This survey is based on a nationally representative probability sample of 1,054 U.S. employed adults and oversamples in each of the following Designated Market Area (DMA): New York City (n=333), Chicago (n=283), Los Angeles (n=295), and Washington D.C (n=286). There were 2,098 total respondents.

The survey was conducted using KnowledgePanel, the largest and most well-established online probability-based panel that is representative of the adult US population. Our recruitment process employs an addressed-based sampling methodology using the latest Delivery Sequence File of the USPS – a database with full coverage of all delivery points in the US. Households invited to join the panel are randomly selected from all available households in the U.S. Persons in the sampled households are invited to join and participate in the panel. Those selected who do not already have internet access are provided a tablet and internet connection at no cost to the panel member. Those who join the panel and who are selected to participate in a survey are sent a unique password-protected log-in used to complete surveys online. As a result of our recruitment and sampling methodologies, samples from KnowledgePanel cover all households regardless of their phone or internet status and findings can be reported with a margin of sampling error and projected to the general population.

The employed general public data were weighted to the demographic benchmarks of National employed adults age 18+ from the KnowledgePanel Profile survey by the following variables:

• Gender (Male, Female) by Age (18–29, 30–44, 45–59, and 60+)
• Race/Hispanic Ethnicity (White Non-Hispanic, Black Non-Hispanic, Other or 2+ Races Non-Hispanic, Hispanic)
• Education (Less than High School, High School, Some College, Bachelor or higher)
• Household Income (Under $25,000, $25,000-$49,999, $50,000-$74,999, $75,000-$99,999, $100,000-$149,999, $150,000+)
• Census Region (Northeast, Midwest, South, West)
• Metropolitan status (Metro, non-Metro)
• DMA market (New York DMA, Washington DC DMA, Chicago DMA, Los Angeles DMA, all other areas)

The employed DMA data were weighted separately to the demographic benchmarks of employed adults age 18+ in their respective DMAs from the KnowledgePanel Profile survey by the following variables:

• Gender (Male, Female) by Age (18–44, 45+)
• Race/Hispanic Ethnicity (White Non-Hispanic, Black Non-Hispanic, Other or 2+ Races Non-Hispanic, Hispanic)
• Education (High School grad or less, Some College, Bachelor or higher)
• Household Income (Under $50,000, $50,000-$99,999, $100,000+)

The margin of sampling error is plus or minus 3.1 percentage points at the 95% confidence level, for results based on the entire sample of employed adults. The margin of sampling error for the entire sample of employed adults takes into account the design effect, which was 2.08. The margin of sampling error at the 95% confidence level for the DMA oversamples were as follows: Chicago (7.8%), Washington DC (7.9%), NYC (6.6%), and LA (9.4%). In our reporting of the findings, percentage points are rounded off to the nearest whole number. As a result, percentages in a given table column may total slightly higher or lower than 100%. In questions that permit multiple responses, columns may total substantially more than 100%, depending on the number of different responses offered by each respondent.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is the world’s third largest Insights and Analytics company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP www.ipsos.com

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