A new national survey of 1,000 U.S. workers reveals that half of employees would quit their jobs within the next three months if they felt financially secure enough to do so. According to the latest Quit Tomorrow Test report from MyPerfectResume®, a premium resume-building service, today’s workforce is not staying put out of loyalty or satisfaction, but because financial realities are limiting career mobility.
The findings show a workforce caught between confidence and caution. While many workers believe they could quickly find a similar or better opportunity, limited savings, rising costs, and fear of financial disruption are preventing them from taking action.
“On the surface, it may look like workers are choosing stability, but the reality is more nuanced,” said Dr. Jasmine Escalera, Career Expert at MyPerfectResume. “Many employees feel they have options, but without a financial cushion, making a move can feel too risky. That’s keeping a significant portion of the workforce in place, even if they’re not fully engaged.”
Key Findings:
- Half of workers would leave if they felt financially secure: 50% say they would quit within three months
- Financial pressure is keeping workers in place: 69% say financial strain influences their decision to remain in their current role
- Nearly half have little savings to fall back on: 45% say their savings would not last longer than three months without income
- Confidence isn’t the problem: 60% say they could find a similar or better job within three months
- More than half are disengaged: 53% say they are coasting, disengaged, or already planning to leave
- Pay remains the biggest motivator: 60% say higher pay would motivate them to leave, while 78% cite compensation as a top reason for changing jobs
Limited Savings Are Restricting Mobility
Short financial runways are making career changes difficult:
- 45% say their savings would last less than three months
- 30% say their savings would last three to eleven months
- 26% say they have one year or more saved
Without a strong financial cushion, even a short employment gap can feel too risky for many workers.
Disengagement Is Widespread
More than half of workers are not fully engaged in their current roles:
- 34% say they are doing their job but not going above and beyond
- 11% say they are actively disengaged
- 8% say they are already planning to leave
Compensation Is Driving Career Decisions
Financial considerations outweigh all other reasons employees stay or leave their jobs.
Reasons workers stay:
- 76% cite financially driven reasons such as pay, benefits, or security
- 34% cite fear-based reasons such as layoffs or job market uncertainty
- 14% stay for career growth
- 9% stay out of loyalty
Reasons workers would leave:
- 60% say higher pay would motivate them to leave
- 78% cite compensation as a key factor when considering a new role
The Cost of Leaving Remains Too High
Essential expenses and responsibilities continue to keep workers tied to their current employers:
- 43% cite rent or mortgage costs
- 36% cite health insurance or benefits
- 31% point to limited savings
- 23% cite family or caregiving costs
- 15% cite debt or student loans
- 13% fear layoffs elsewhere if they switch jobs
- 17% say none of these factors are preventing them from leaving
Workers Are Split on Staying Another Year
Employees remain divided on their outlook for staying in their current role:
- 56% say they would feel satisfied staying another year
- 45% feel neutral or dissatisfied about remaining in their current job another year
Methodology
The findings presented in this report are based on a nationally representative survey conducted by MyPerfectResume using Pollfish in April, 2026. The survey collected responses from 1,000 U.S. adults currently employed full-time. Respondents answered a mix of single-selection and multiple-choice questions about financial security, job mobility, workplace engagement, and career decision-making. Participants were asked about their savings, confidence in finding new employment, reasons for staying in or leaving their current roles, and overall mindset at work.