The pandemic reinforced certain trends that were already brewing in the world of work. Notably, a growing number of employees place significant importance on maintaining a healthy balance between their professional and private lives.
Some 83% of 26,000 employees questioned as part of the “Workmonitor 2025: A New Workplace Baseline” survey consider this aspect to be essential when choosing a job or deciding to stay in one. In fact, this aspect is on a par with job security and slightly ahead of salary, cited by 82% of respondents.
“For the first time in Workmonitor’s 22-year history, work-life balance surpasses pay as the leading motivator. Compensation is still important, but talent today have multifaceted expectations,” Randstad, the recruitment agency that ran the survey, highlighted.
This particularly applies to younger generations: 74% of Gen Z workers consider work-life balance a priority, compared with 68% for pay. Conversely, baby boomers attach greater importance to income, likely because they are approaching retirement.
This shift in priorities is reflected in global trends: nearly 79% of employees worldwide consider their work-life balance to be satisfactory, slightly up from 2024 (78%). In addition, 68% feel that their salary allows them to live as they wish.
Beyond these two aspects, other expectations emerge strongly: sufficient annual leave (77%), adequate health insurance (74%), and the need to make a personal impact through their work (69%).
Nearly five years after the start of the pandemic, remote work has become firmly established as a way of life. It is now seen by some employees as a real asset and benefit.
However, expectations in terms of flexibility today go far beyond working from home. Workers emphasise that their jobs now offer them greater freedom, whether to choose their location of work (up from 51% in 2024 to 60% in 2025) or to adapt their working hours (up from 57% to 65%).
Work intensity is also more flexible: this year, 64% of employees say they can adjust their workload, compared with 54% in 2024.
These developments point to a major transformation underway in the world of work, with flexibility gradually becoming the norm. However, flexibility alone is not always enough to guarantee a sense of belonging.
According to Randstad, 83% of employees want to work in an environment where they can form bonds and become part of a community. More than half (55%) say they are ready to resign if this need is not met, up sharply from 2023 (37%).
These developments pose new challenges for employers. Despite an uncertain economic climate, employees are demanding more from their workplaces. Companies that fail to adapt risk losing talent, especially among younger generations, for whom a flexible, balanced working environment is now requisite.