Majority of Employees Identify a Single Factor as More Inspiring Than Salary, Reveals Study
In a groundbreaking shift, the 2025 Randstad Employer Brand Research has revealed that work-life balance and salary have become the most significant factors influencing employee job satisfaction and motivation. This change in priorities reflects the evolving needs of workers in the modern workplace.
For the first time in its 22-year history, Randstad's Workmonitor study found that work-life balance surpassed pay as the leading driver of worker satisfaction. Employees now value the ability to balance their professional and personal lives more highly than just their salary alone [2].
Despite this shift, salary remains a critical motivator, particularly as part of a broader package that includes job security and career growth. Attractive pay and work-life balance combined form the top motivators for talent in the U.S., according to Randstad's 2025 Employer Brand Research [3].
The survey also highlights that engagement is driven by manageable workloads, flexibility, and recognition, which contribute to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. This is supported by workplace strategies such as flexible scheduling, mental health initiatives, and enforcing boundaries between work and personal time to reduce burnout, all of which enhance motivation and job satisfaction [4].
Sectoral insights show some variation: while work-life balance and flexibility are pivotal in fields like Sales, Marketing, and HR, job security and meaningful recognition become more important in engineering and technical professions. However, overall dissatisfaction with pay remains a common demotivator across sectors [5].
Achieving a healthy work-life balance is beneficial for productivity, as it leads to fewer sick days and higher job retention. However, over 25% of Americans report feeling "super stressed," according to Mental Health America, indicating that achieving this balance is a challenge in today's fast-paced world [6].
The survey, which involved 26,000 global employees, found that work-life balance is more motivating for employees than their paycheck, making it the first time something other than a paycheck has been the most motivating factor about work for survey participants [1].
Interestingly, 82% of the participants felt that pay was the most important factor in a job, while 83% valued work-life balance more, suggesting a nuanced reality where both factors are crucial [7]. Many people find it difficult to achieve a work-life balance when working full-time and taking care of a family and household [8].
44% admitted to quitting a job because their workplace felt toxic to them, a phenomenon Randstad described as being "motivated by personalization" [9]. Stress suppresses the immune system and increases the likelihood of suffering from chronic conditions or heart attacks, making it crucial for employers to address these factors [10].
Abbey Sangmeister, a counselor, explains that everyone's version of work-life balance is unique and may shift during different life seasons. Mental Health America states that achieving a healthy work-life balance is an attainable goal [11]. Stress has a negative impact on productivity, contrary to the belief that it makes someone more efficient [12].
In summary, the Randstad studies reveal a nuanced reality where work-life balance has become the foremost factor in job satisfaction, closely followed by salary. Employers needing to address both to attract and retain talent effectively underscore a broader trend where compensation alone is insufficient, and sustainable career growth plus well-being are equally vital to employees today [2][3][4][5].
- Addressing mental health in the workplace through initiatives such as flexible scheduling and promoting boundaries between work and personal time can significantly enhance employee motivation and job satisfaction.
- Personal growth and self-development are essential aspects of a healthy work-life balance as they contribute to overall well-being and job satisfaction, according to best practices in psychology and education-and-self-development.
- The link between work-life balance and productivity is well-established in health-and-wellness research, as achieving a balance results in fewer sick days and higher job retention for employees.
- Career development plays a crucial role in achieving work-life balance, particularly in sectors such as Sales, Marketing, and HR, as job security and meaningful recognition are vital factors in these fields.
- To address the growing issue of employee burnout and stress, employers should prioritize work-life balance in their policies and practices, as stress has been shown to negatively impact productivity, immune system functioning, and overall mental health.
