More than half of UK workers plan to make a career-based New Year resolution according to a survey.

In a survey of more than 3,300 workers conducted by a leading job site the data predicts that more than 7.7 million of the UK’s workforce will be making a resolution to get a new job in 2016.

Other findings from the research revealed:

• Almost a third of professionals making the return to work after the Christmas break feel unhappy with their current job

• 46 per cent said that finding a new job will be a priority in 2016

Robyn Walters, director of Newport-based Xpress Recruitment, warns that this potentially could result in difficult times for businesses.

She said: “The upturn in the economy has created more job opportunities. Unemployment rates have decreased and employers are faced with a more difficult recruitment process to attract the right candidates for their positions they want to fill. Candidates can be more selective with some in the industry already saying that 2016 will be the year in which they have more control over the recruitment process.”

Employers can mitigate the impact of this potential problem by engaging with their employees and finding out if they are happy in their roles and what can be done if required to encourage them to stay.

Robyn said: “Employers should be asking their staff what they can do as a company to improve working practices and encourage individual career progression. In 2016, businesses should be doing all they can to retain key members of staff as losing them will cost the company significant time and money not to mention their individual experience and working knowledge of day to day operations.”