The modern era has ushered in profound changes to how we approach and perceive our work lives. With the rise of remote careers, beyond shifts in where and how people can now choose to work, we’re also rethinking the time we dedicate to our professions. Leading the way, Gen Z and millennials are driving a global movement that places work-life balance at the heart of well-being and happiness. According to a new annual international survey by Randstad, that balance is now a top motivator globally, overtaking pay incentives.
Workers reject the 9-to-5 grind in favor of balance
Workers are increasingly pushing back against outdated, rigid work environments, highlighting balance and health as top priorities in 2025. The survey, which collected insights from over 26,000 employees across 35 markets in Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas, signals a perspective that the 21st century is on the cusp of an extraordinary revolution in the kinds of opportunities that may define the future. As more workers turn away from schedules and jobs that don’t suit their priorities, employers face mounting pressure to adapt and listen.
Of the workers surveyed, 83% cited work-life balance as the most important factor in job retention and selection, matching the preference for job security, while pay came in slightly lower at 82%. These figures tell a story that has been unfolding for some time and truly gained momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic, when workers were, for the first time, able to experience their routines in a new environment with a more flexible and freeing schedule. For many, it was a shift they embraced wholeheartedly and haven’t abandoned.
A significant 76% of Gen Z views flexible work as important and are likely to adjust their career paths to reflect this. According to the research, pay becomes more of a crucial factor as we age, though the study also found that more senior age groups also value the prospects of a balanced work-life schedule.
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