Research conducted by Investors in People found that a combination of work dissatisfaction and more confidence in the job market had 43% thinking about a job change.

With a fifth describing themselves as unhappy in their jobs and the economy creating more job opportunities, IIP is calling on bosses to act now to avoid losing talented staff, and having a costly bill to replace them.

The latest findings from a sample of largely office-based workers suggest that many workers have been ‘laying low’ in jobs they are not happy with due to a fear of job insecurity.

A quarter of workers said that if the economic situation had been better a year ago, they would have looked to move job sooner.

The survey showed that workers in construction are looking to be valued, not just to have higher wages, with 81% stating that greater job satisfaction is their main incentive for moving, ahead of pay at 50%.

A third said that bad management is a leading cause of their unhappiness at work.

Valerie Todd, chair of IIP and Director of Talent and Resources at Crossrail, said: “The end of the recession is good news for the architecture, engineering and building sector.

“Financially, we are in more stable times. However, an upturn in the economy means that dissatisfied workers now have more confidence to look elsewhere, so business owners who aren’t doing all they can to value their staff can no longer be complacent.

“Our research suggests that many workers have been biding their time during the recession and not actively looking for a new job.

“However, as the job market improves, companies who don’t value their staff risk losing them to rivals and having to spend time and money recruiting and training replacements.

“Now is the time for businesses to take action to retain their talented people.”

Those looking for a career move within the industry can check out current vacancies on Jobs Spy.