Quarter of UK workers have quit their job due to a lack of trust, shows new study

A quarter of UK workers also say they would feel more motivated at work if colleagues put more trust in them

Bupa say greater trust between colleagues can result in improved wellbeing (Getty)

A quarter of UK workers have quit their job due to feeling like they can’t trust their colleagues, new research shows.

Just over half of employees consider trust to be a major factor in whether or not they stay with an employer, according to private healthcare firm Bupa.

Nearly two thirds of the 2,003 people surveyed said trust in the workplace is more important than holding a gym membership or a work mobile.

Bupa said greater trust between colleagues can result in improved wellbeing.

Almost a quarter of UK workers say they would feel more motivated at work if colleagues put more trust in them, while over a fifth said greater trust would help them feel happier at work.

“Within many businesses across the UK, wellbeing is now a boardroom priority and it’s clear that trust is key to building a healthy business culture – increasing motivation, engagement and colleague retention as well as employees’ wellbeing”, said Mark Allan, commercial director at Bupa UK Insurance.

“This latest research highlights the importance of creating a workplace culture that allows people to thrive and also that businesses are recognising the importance of promoting a trustful workplace”, he said.

A separate study in November by the TUC found that employers not helping workers to obtain new skills were a key factor behind the country’s productivity problem.