The FlexJobs 2025 Financial Pulse Report reveals the scope of a lot of the issues we see in these memes. Surveying more than 3,000 U.S. workers, the study highlights growing anxiety and shifting priorities in the workforce.
In an email statement to Bored Panda, FlexJobs said the findings reveal that more than 1 in 4 workers (26%) are more worried about being laid off now than they were six months ago, signaling a noticeable uptick in job security concerns. Another 23% say their concern has remained pretty much the same, while only 8% feel less worried, and 29% say they’re not worried at all.
However, when asked how confident they are in their ability to earn money on their own if they lost their job, the vast majority (70%) of respondents said they believe they could find a way to make it work.
Meanwhile, 24% said they are “not very confident” and would struggle without traditional employment.
The remaining 6% said they are “not at all confident” and would need major reskilling or external help to stay afloat.
But arguably the most telling sign of the current work climate is that most workers would leave their job if money wasn’t a factor.
If they could leave their current job tomorrow with no financial consequences, only 7% of respondents said they would stay in their role. The majority (93%) said they would pursue new paths, with top responses including:
- 19% would switch to a different job or industry;
- 19% would start their own business;
- 19% would pursue a creative passion or side project full-time;
- 17% would travel;
- 9% would return to school;
- 5% would volunteer.
Additionally, FlexJobs’ Financial Pulse Report found that 41% of respondents frequently think about changing jobs for better pay, while 25% rarely (17%) or never (8%) think about it.
Respondents also said the financial factors that most impact their stress during a job search are:
- Paying bills or managing debt – 78%;
- Rising costs or inflation – 64%;
- Housing, rent, or mortgage costs – 63%;
- Lack of personal savings – 56%;
- Retirement planning – 54%;
- Childcare or family expenses – 19%;
- Student loans – 18%.
Despite financial pressure being a driving force in the job search, most workers are unwilling to sacrifice mental health or work-life balance for a higher paycheck—nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents said they would turn down a higher-paying job if the benefits didn’t support their overall well-being. Looks like the memes aren’t exaggerating after all.
