In Russia, a notable portion of workers express worry that the reality of a new job may not mirror the promises heard during interviews. This concern is echoed in the data gathered by the job portal Rabota.ru, highlighting a gap between expectations and actual experience in the workplace.
Survey results show that 43% of participants felt the reality of their new role did not align with what was promised. Many found the new position to be less favorable than their prior one, with a significant share reporting that their first few months fell short of their hopes.
Around 48% of respondents worry that the job they accepted will not live up to the rosy picture presented during recruitment. In addition, about one in three fear that their new role could be worse than the previous position they held. Roughly a quarter question the potential for meaningful career growth, and about 20% say the tasks they were given are not engaging enough to sustain long-term interest.
Crucially, these disappointments often drive people to seek additional income sources. Approximately 85% of those surveyed express a desire to take on part-time work to supplement their earnings and improve financial stability during transitions.
Data from the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA) indicates that in the first half of 2023, informal or shadow employment affected about one in five workers in Russia, or 21.9% of the workforce. The institute notes a persistent trend toward reducing unregistered employment, even as concerns about job quality linger among the employed and job seekers alike.
In public discourse, unemployment in Russia has been described as being at elevated levels, prompting ongoing discussions about the reliability of job promises and the long-term health of the labor market. For readers outside Russia, these dynamics offer insight into how job satisfaction, wage security, and clear career pathways can influence decisions to accept or leave roles, as well as the appeal of supplementary work when conditions in the primary job do not meet expectations. Sources cited include Rabota.ru and RANEPA, which provide continued context on these employment patterns and their implications for workers seeking stability and growth in a changing economy.