More than half of UK workers plan to make changes to their careers in the next 12 months as a direct result of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Aviva’s How We Live Report has found the most popular career aspiration emerging from the crisis is the desire for flexibility. One in 10 say that in the next 12 months, they aim to find a role that will allow them to work from home.
This desire is strongest in London where one in six want to work remotely, compared to just three per cent in the East of England, for example.
As well as flexibility, nearly one in ten plan to retrain or learn new skills. This rises to 15 per cent of people aged 25-34. And 8 per cent hope to gain more academic qualifications in the next 12 months.
Covid-19 has also expedited some people’s retirement plans. Within the 55-64 age group, 10 per cent say they plan to retire within the next 12 months, as a direct result of the pandemic.
The report also found that almost half of the nation’s adults (45%) have tried their hand at new hobbies in 2020, provoking further ideas for career changes as six per cent intend to transform a hobby into a career – a figure that represents just over two million people.
Gareth Hemming, MD, Personal Lines, for Aviva says: “The additional time at home and the temporary closure of many services has meant that people have found different ways to use their time, and in some cases developed new skills. Lockdown has also allowed time to reflect on lifestyles and vocations, so it’s possible that innovative career paths may be forged, making use of these new talents.
“People planning to work from home in the future on a long-term basis may need to review their home insurance requirements. Many policies include cover for office equipment, which provides peace of mind for those people who work from home either permanently or occasionally.”
More on the Avia report here
