A survey of 26,000 workers in 35 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, conducted for Randstad’s Workmonitor 2025 report, found that work-life balance is now the highest-ranking factor for workers when it comes to their current or a future job ( 85%), followed by job security ( 83%).

For the first time in the report’s 22-year history, work-life balance ranked higher than pay ( 79%) for workers.

The survey asked participants ‘how important are the following factors for your current job and/or future employment?’ Other high-ranking priorities for participants were annual leave ( 78%), flexibility in terms of location ( 70%), flexibility in terms of working hours ( 74%), and the need to make a personal impact in their roles ( 68%).

The study’s findings also suggest that flexible working arrangements have become the norm, with 64% of participants reporting that their jobs provide them with more flexibility in terms of location (an increase from 51% in the 2024 report). Similarly, 71% reported more flexibility of working hours, compared with 57% in the previous year. 

Most respondents ( 85%) said their job offers a good work-life balance.

According to the research, 56% of participants stated they would trust employers more if they provided personalised work benefits, including all types of flexibility, while 41% claimed they would resign from their jobs if employers did not support their career ambitions and learning (up from 34% the previous year).

Randstad chief executive Sander van ‘t Noordende, said: “Many expected the challenging economic conditions of 2024 to temper talent expectations, but the Workmonitor shows the opposite has occurred. We have seen a new baseline established with talent continuing to hold multifaceted expectations. 

“For today’s talent, the significance of work is complex and needs to be personalised. They are setting the terms on what truly matters to them as individuals and within their communities. Successful businesses are those that will adapt and adjust to this new talent baseline. The solution lies in empowering our key resource: people.” 

Randstad’s report is published at a time when some larger employers are introducing ‘return-to-office mandates’, or more stringent demands on staff to work in offices following years of more flexible arrangements. Advertising network WPP recently stipulated that staff spend a minimum of four days a week in the office, prompting an employee petition against the move.

Methodology
The online survey was conducted between 7^th October and 6^th November 2024, among over 26,000 workers in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong SAR, Hungary, India, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and Uruguay.

Randstad surveyed respondents aged 18-67 who are either employed for at least 24 hours per week, sole traders, or unemployed but considering looking for a job in the future. The minimum sample size was 500 interviews per country. Researchers used Evalueserve for sampling purposes.