U.S. employees are quitting their jobs at elevated rates in 2022, with 30 per cent currently considering the move and 25 per cent actually quitting in the last six months, according to a new survey by FlexJobs.

The survey, which polled more than 2,200 U.S. employees, found 68 per cent of those who recently quit made the decision without having another job lined up. Side jobs and accessing emergency savings were the top two strategies referenced by these employees to close income gaps during the transition time.

The top factors survey respondents cited for quitting their jobs was toxic company culture (62 per cent), salary being too low (59 per cent), poor management (56 per cent) and lack of a healthy work-life balance (49 per cent).

Read: Half of Canadians would leave job if flexibility isn’t extended post-pandemic: survey

“Our data clearly highlights that toxic company culture drives people to leave their jobs more than any other single factor,” said Sara Sutton, founder and chief executive officer of FlexJobs, in a press release.

Other pressing issues cited by employees were not being allowed to work remotely (43 per cent),  being burned out (42 per cent) and not being allowed to have flexible schedules (41 per cent).

In terms of career changes, among respondents hoping to find a new job in the next three to six months, more than half (57 per cent) said they’re looking for a job in a different career, while more than three-quarters (79 per cent) said they’ve tried to change careers in the past or are currently trying to do so.

“Especially with many companies now transitioning to permanent hybrid workplaces, it’s critical that leaders emphasize building healthy cultures that are inclusive of all their workers’ needs and locations, whether they’re onsite or remote,” said Sutton.

Read: 19% of remote workers would mull quitting if forced to return to office: survey