More than half of British adults are dreading the return to work tomorrow – but many could find greater fulfilment by becoming teachers, according to Teach First.
On a day when many people will be gloomily munching the last of the mince pies and checking their work calendars, the charity is encouraging people to consider their career options.
Research commissioned by Teach First shows that 52 per cent of British working adults say they are dreading their return to work tomorrow, and a third (34 per cent) are considering changing job in 2020.
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Among the top reasons for dreading work were "being bored" (57 per cent) and the prospect of "sitting behind a desk all day" (51 per cent).
Meanwhile, just over a third of respondents (35 per cent) said that they dreaded returning to work because they found their colleagues annoying.
In a statement accompanying the findings, Teach First chief executive Russell Hobby said: "If your post-festive blues are getting heavier with the realisation that you’ll soon be back at work, you’re probably in the wrong job.
“But if you speak to any teacher, you’ll find that the highs always outweigh the lows. That’s because each day is different. And best of all, you’ll spend them with young people.
"These new colleagues will tell you what they really think, keep you on your toes, and value the skills you bring to work each day. "
The survey findings come as the teaching profession faces a recruitment crisis, with two in five teachers quitting after five years, and 80 per cent of teachers reporting that high workloads are creating "high stress".
Younger people may be more receptive to Teach First's message than their older peers, the survey results suggest.
Among younger professionals providing reasons for dreading returning to work, 46 per cent cited a lack of meaning, compared with 56 per cent of those aged 55 or over.
And 62 per cent of 18- to 34-year-olds said that they dreaded feeling bored compared with 52 per cent of older respondents, the survey carried out by Savanta ComRes revealed.
It also found that 18- to 34-year-olds were less likely to find their colleagues annoying – 30 per cent, compared with 44 per cent of those over 55.
Three in five (59 per cent) of the younger age category were considering looking for a new job in 2020, but just 9 per cent of those over 55 were in the same boat.
Among all adults who were considering looking for a new job in 2020, the most popular motivations included better pay (64 per cent), to do something more fulfilling (54 per cent) and looking for a new challenge (49 per cent).
Zoe Wallace, Year 4 teacher at Greenhill Academy in Oldham, said she had "never looked back" when she switched to teaching after studying to become a lawyer.
She added: “For anyone thinking about becoming a teacher, my advice would be: do it! Yes, it can be tough – but as soon as you see the kids suddenly understand something and smile at you with thanks – you’ll never be able to shake the feeling of pure joy again.”
