Employees admitted they are more likely to consider work-life balance (93%) as important in a job than career ambition (70%), according to new Randstad research.
The talent organisation’s latest Workmonitor report, which surveyed 27,000 workers in 34 markets across Europe, Asia Pacific and the Americas, found that staff thought flexibility of working hours (81%) and mental health support (83%) was more important in a role than progression. Half (47%) are not focused on progression at all and are willing to stay in a role that they like, even if there is no room to progress.
Half (52%) think that the onus for improving equity lies with their employer, as opposed to themselves (18%). Meanwhile, 45% said that employers are liable for enhancing workplace culture, with only 17% taking personal responsibility for it.
Almost four in 10 (37%) said that they would not accept a job if an organisation was not making a proactive effort to improve its diversity and equity. Where their employer did not take action on an important issue to them, 21% quit their job, with the number rising to 30% among Gen Z. In 2023, 54% would quit a job if they felt they did not belong there, but this dropped to 37% for this year.
More than a third (37%) have moved house or got a pet based on the assumption that working from home is here to stay, and would consider quitting their job if their employer asked them to spend more time in the office. Meanwhile, 39% said working from home is non-negotiable to them and 35% have been asked to come into the office more than they were six months ago.
Sander van ‘t Noordende, chief executive officer at Randstad, said: “Ambition, balance and connection are key to driving the agenda in a talent scarce world of work. There’s no one-size-fits all approach, as workers’ ambitions, motivations and priorities are becoming more fragmented and personalised. It’s crucial that employers communicate regularly with talent about their wants and needs, whether that be flexible work, career aspirations or learning and development opportunities. Embodying a talent first mindset and truly understanding their personal motivations and priorities, will help set businesses apart.”