Dr. Gleb Tsipursky – The Office Whisperer
Nirit Cohen – WorkFutures
Angela Howard – Culture Expert
Drew Jones – Design & Innovation
Jonathan Price – CRE & Flex Expert
Employees are thinking carefully about what truly matters in their careers. Compensation, stability, and opportunities to grow are shaping decisions for the year ahead, with many ready to explore new roles if their needs aren’t met.
A survey of 1,200 full-time U.S. workers by Resume.org reveals what employees value most as they head into 2026, and where companies may fall short.
Compensation Still the Top Priority
Pay remains the leading concern for workers. Just 20% say they are very satisfied with their wages, 48% are satisfied, and over one-third are dissatisfied with current compensation. Rising living costs continue to make fair pay a key factor in retention and job satisfaction.
Job Security and Work-Life Balance
Job security ranks second. While 30% of employees feel very secure in their roles, 11% feel vulnerable to changes at work. Work-life balance is the third priority: 21% rate their balance as excellent, 46% as good, but 25% see it as fair and 8% as poor or very poor.
Women consistently place work-life balance higher than men, reflecting ongoing household and caregiving responsibilities.
Health Coverage, Retirement, and Paid Time Off
Affordable health insurance is fourth, with nearly half of employees reporting coverage could be improved and 4% lacking insurance entirely. Retirement benefits rank fifth, with over one-third of workers saying their offerings are average or below. Paid time off follows: 23% are very satisfied, 47% satisfied, but 11% report dissatisfaction.
Opportunities for Growth and Supportive Management
Nearly a quarter of employees feel advancement opportunities are insufficient. Only 13% say their career development is very sufficient, and 48% say it is sufficient.
Supportive management is critical, with 23% describing their managers as very supportive, 47% supportive, and 11% as unsupportive or very unsupportive.
Flexible Work Options
Remote and flexible work ranks ninth. While 18% rate their flexibility as excellent and 33% as good, over one-third see it as average or below, and 13% lack flexible options entirely.
Younger generations place more importance on flexibility and growth opportunities than older workers.
Generational and Gender Differences
Older workers, including Baby Boomers and Gen X, emphasize stability, healthcare, and retirement planning. Gen Z and Millennials focus more on career development, advancement, and work flexibility.
Gender differences show women prioritizing work-life balance, PTO, and supportive management more than men.
Job Mobility in 2026
Many workers plan to explore new opportunities next year. About 18% are very likely to change jobs, 23% somewhat likely, and another 20% are undecided.
Job-switching plans are highest among Gen Z, with 57% considering a move, followed by 45% of Millennials, 29% of Gen X, and 20% of Boomers.
