Want to Keep Your Talent? Global Survey Finds Work-Life Balance Now Trumps Salary In Job Decisions

• For the first time, work-life balance beats salary in importance for 85% of workers globally.
• Flexibility in hours and location has become a standard expectation, not a perk.
• Workers prioritize personal well-being, with 56% trusting employers who offer personalized benefits.

For the first time in more than two decades, work-life balance has officially surpassed salary as the most important factor when workers evaluate their current or future jobs. 

According to a new survey from Randstad’s Workmonitor 2025 report, 26,000 workers from 35 countries across the globe shared their priorities, revealing that 85% of employees now consider work-life balance the top factor in their job choices, overtaking pay, which sits at 79%.

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Workers today are thinking beyond the paycheck — they want more than just a salary. This should come as no surprise, given the changes we’ve seen in the workplace over the past few years. 

They want roles that allow them to spend time with family, pursue hobbies, and maintain their mental health. And as more employees demand this balance, employers are realizing that a competitive salary isn’t always enough to attract and retain top talent.

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Why Is Work-Life Balance So Important?

In this new era of work, factors like flexibility and job security have become more important than ever before. After work-life balance, job security ranked highly at 83%. People want to feel stable in their roles, and with the uncertainty that has come from global events in recent years, security has risen in priority. 

Other factors like annual leave (78%) and flexibility in working hours (74%) also scored well in the survey, further solidifying that workers are seeking a more tailored approach to their work lives.

But the most telling aspect of this change is how flexibility has become the new standard, rather than a luxury. 

According to the survey, 64% of workers reported having more flexibility in terms of location, up from 51% the year before. Additionally, 71% now enjoy more flexibility with their working hours, compared to 57% in the previous year. 

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This demonstrates that the expectation of flexible working conditions has moved far beyond the early days of the pandemic, and is now becoming a baseline for many workers, rather than a perk. 

Even more surprising, 85% of those surveyed said that their current job offers a good work-life balance. While this may sound like a positive result, the pressure on employers to meet these demands is building. 

Workers are holding companies to higher standards, with more than half (56%) saying they’d trust their employer more if their company offered more personalized work benefits, especially those centered on flexibility.

The Push for More Flexibility and Learning Opportunities

But work-life balance doesn’t just stop at flexibility in hours and location; people are increasingly looking for opportunities for growth, and if an employer doesn’t support that, they’re likely to lose out on talent. 

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In fact, 41% of workers said they would consider quitting a job if their employer didn’t prioritize their career development or learning opportunities, which marks an increase from 34% just the year before. Employees are no longer willing to sit idly in a role that doesn’t support their ambitions or personal growth.

The Road Ahead for Employers

For employers, this transition in priorities is both a challenge and an opportunity. To attract and retain the best talent, businesses must begin to think beyond the traditional confines of the office. Offering personalized work benefits, supporting career development, and ensuring a healthy work-life balance are no longer optional — they’re expectations.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Work?

Workers are demanding flexibility, job security, and opportunities for growth. And for companies that want to thrive, the answer is simple: adapt.

The move toward greater work-life balance is a defining moment in the modern workplace. Those companies that embrace these changes and understand the importance of flexibility and career development will not only survive but will also be poised to attract the most talented and dedicated employees. 

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Workers have spoken, and they’re ready for a workplace that supports both their professional ambitions and their personal well-being.

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