Job seekers are redefining their relationship status with their careers, and let’s just say many have wandering eyes. A recent Glassdoor Community poll found that 93% of workers say they've stayed in a job they didn't love because of the stability it provided*. In another survey, a combined 63% say their current relationship status with work is "it's complicated," or they are "ready to break up."
Related reading: The company loyalty trap: Why workers feel stuck
Welcome to the era of the job situationship, first attributed to Gen Z workers, but expanding across workplace generations, that can best be defined as a professional state where workplace culture and job satisfaction exist in a murky middle ground between commitment and calling it quits. These results may make you wonder, is it possible to love your job in 2026? According to our data, 74% of workers say no**. But before we swipe left on the concept entirely, let's explore what it really means to find fulfillment at work today.
When good jobs go bad: The change of heart
Management is the number one reason employees stay at companies, yet it's also why workers' experiences turn sour. Another poll emphasized this, as job seekers chimed in to share that poor leadership quickly transforms good jobs into bad ones, followed by burnout and unrealistic workloads.
"Management changed my hours from day to evening shift. It went from a job I loved to a job I loathed. Giving notice soon." - Registered Nurse
"There's that saying, 'people don't quit jobs, they quit managers,' that I've found to be very true. Nothing makes work more miserable than an overbearing micromanager." - Coordinator
A study of Glassdoor Reviews found that workers who gave a 1-star review were 81% more likely to switch employers than those who gave a 5-star review. If you don't like your job, odds are you'll be happier at your new one. But in today's market? That's easier said than done.
As Adam Grant, organizational psychologist, explains: "In the long run, changing our circumstances isn't enough; we need to change our actions, too. A key to finding motivation is working on projects that are energizing rather than exhausting, with people who are elevating rather than undermining."
The career nesters: How to fall back in love with your role
Not everyone is ready to break up with their employer. Some workers, the career nesters or job huggers, stick it out and find ways to fall back in love with their roles. Our Reviews study found that after leaving a less-than-5-star review, 28% of workers go on to rate the same employer more positively 12 to 24 months later, though many of them had been with their companies for a decade or more.
So how do career nesters flip a job situationship into something better?
For those who join a Best Places to Work company, it’s a true professional upgrade. Workers who switched to Best Places to Work companies were 22% more likely to trade up: 41% gave higher ratings than at their previous companies.
Sometimes the fix is simpler. Switching teams to avoid toxicity or finding a better manager can transform your experience entirely.
"One of my coworkers was not ideal to work with, and it felt like a toxic situation. Fortunately, I was able to switch teams and things changed for the positive since." - Solution Consultant at ServiceNow (#7)
"Once I moved to the Energy Corridor Branch and received more 1 on 1 with smaller group training, my career blossomed. My team mentor and my director have been so influential in my development." - Customer Development Representative at Power Home Remodeling (#79)
Workplace green flags: Your compatibility checklist
If you're searching for your perfect job match, here are the green flags that signal true workplace compatibility. Before making major moves, try some "career counseling" first: explore internal options like switching teams, and look for ways to find meaning in your current work.
When evaluating a potential employer (current or future), look for these signs:
- Energy over exhaustion. When asked how do you know if a job might be 'the one'?, 37% of workers said: "You don't dread logging on."
- Leaders meet you halfway. The best workplace cultures prioritize flexibility, whether it's switching teams or adjusting responsibilities.
- A supportive partnership with management. As Grant notes, "Great managers encourage people to pursue growth and advancement even if it means leaving for another organization."
- Zero Sunday scaries. "I have one phone instead of two because I don't get anxiety when a work message pops up." - Director
Finding your match
Not every job will make your heart skip a beat, and that's okay. But you deserve more than a perpetual situationship with your career. Ready to find work that's actually compatible with the life you want? Start by exploring companies hiring that employees genuinely love, reading employee reviews, and getting clear on your own workplace green flags.
Methodology:
*The poll ran from January 5, 2026 through January 7, 2026 and was answered by over 2000 U.S. professionals. Respondents could answer with either “Yes” or “No” to the question, “Have you ever stayed in a job you didn't love because of the stability?” For subgroup breakouts including gender identity and industry, all categories received at least 100 responses from U.S. professionals on the platform.
**The poll ran from December 11, 2025 through December 14, 2025 and was answered by over 1,500 U.S. professionals. Respondents could answer with either “Yes” or “No” to the question, “Do you believe that you can do what you love in today's job market?” For subgroup breakouts including gender identity and industry, all categories received at least 100 responses from U.S. professionals on the platform.