A third of bankers hate their jobs, survey finds

In many quarters bankers are public enemy number one: a loathed bunch of self-interested schemers who conspired to crash the world economy in pursuit of absurd bonuses.

If you agree with the sentiment take some heart from this: a third of them say they hate their jobs. That's the conclusion of a survey by eFinancialCareers of more than 500 financial services professionals.

One of its findings is that disillusionment among financial services professionals hasn't become deep-set, but the sort of passion and enthusiasm associated with a career in the industry appears to have faded.

When asked their attitude to their current position, nearly four in 10 (38 per cent) poll participants said that they tolerated their job, and 29 per cent said they hated it. A fifth responded that they liked their current post, and just 12 per cent said they loved it.

James Bennett, global managing director of eFinancialCareers, said: "Clearly, decreased motivation among financial services professionals presents a concern for employers. This disillusionment may not be resulting in a sudden desire to switch jobs, but appears to be manifesting itself in a lack of ambition and less of a willingness to work punishing hours."

With few City firms hiring, chances to jump ship are low. eFinancialCareers says the number of job opportunities for bankers are down 28 per cent in the year to December. Added Mr Bennett: "Also should job opportunities improve in the forthcoming year, professionals' disillusionment could result in a flurry of leavers from organisations where employer loyalty has been eroded."

A large proportion of respondents (38 per cent) said they wanted to leave the industry or sector entirely. This is coupled with a more short-term commitment to their current employer: 46 per cent of respondents only expect to stay in their current position for a maximum of two years.