Employees think about leaving their job after three and a half years on average, survey claims

Bad work-life balance and poor pay among top reasons for quitting

Research has shown that the average worker has thought about quitting their current job six times already (Getty Images)

Boring canteen food, long hours and incompetent bosses are among the most common reasons why British adults quit their jobs, it has emerged.

Researchers who polled 2,000 workers found employees started thinking about leaving a job an average of three years and six months after starting.

The list of reasons for quitting also included feeling too old in the workplace compared to younger members of staff and not getting a pay rise.

The research, commissioned by working animal charity SPANA, also revealed the typical adult gets through an average of four jobs before finding their “perfect” role.

It also emerged the average worker had thought about quitting their current job six times already, without yet going through with it – and the biggest driving factor was hoping to achieve a better work-life balance.

Geoffrey Dennis, chief executive of SPANA, which provides free veterinary treatment to working animals in developing countries, said: “Most workers won’t hesitate to move jobs if things aren’t right and, as this research shows, people change their minds about their role all the time.

“A good work-life balance, minimal stress, a decent salary and an appreciative boss are important for many employees.

''And handing in your notice is always an option if working life doesn’t live up to expectations.''

Other reasons Britons handed in their notice included falling out or having a physical altercation with the boss, not liking the uniform and hating the position of the desk.

Many have left a role after feeling they had hit the “glass ceiling” or had stopped learning anything new.

Other reasons for leaving veered from the reasonable to the ridiculous – with some workers reporting they had left a job after the free tea and coffee was taken away, and others because their food was stolen from the work fridge.

Not being allowed to take their pet to work, having no air conditioning and not being allowed to change the radio station also featured in the top 40 reasons to quit.

More than half of adults have left a job without having another one to go to – because they hated their job so much.

Of those who did quit a job, almost half claimed to feel a massive sense of relief, while 28 per cent described the feeling as being “free”.

However, of the adults who were still in a job they wanted to quit, a fifth said the pay was too good to leave, while 22 per cent liked the fact their workplace was close to home.

A competitive job market put 15 per cent of workers off looking for alternative employment, and a fifth did not think they would be able to get another job anyway.

Mr Dennis added: “Being in a job that you don’t enjoy or isn’t fulfilling can make life hard, but many people in Britain are fortunate that they have some choice in the matter.

“Unfortunately, unlike workers here, working animals overseas have no choice. Like their owners, they must work tirelessly in punishing conditions for their entire lives.

“That’s why SPANA’s work is so important, ensuring that hundreds of thousands of these hardworking horses, donkeys, camels and other animals receive vital veterinary treatment when they are sick or injured.”

SWNS