Sorry Boomers and Gen-X: work-life balance is now more important than money

Work-life balance has become the top priority for employees worldwide, surpassing pay as the second most important factor, according to a recent survey.

An international survey of 26,000 employees across 35 countries revealed that work-life balance is the most critical consideration when choosing or staying in a job.

The Ranstad survey found that 83% of respondents consider work-life balance the most important factor for their current or future roles. Maintaining work-life balance is essential for companies aiming to cultivate a more engaged, loyal, and productive workforce.

Prioritising work-life balance

Guy Thornton, founder of online testing platform Practice Aptitude Tests, weighed in on the significance of work-life balance and the findings of the State of Hybrid Work Report, which surveyed over 2,000 full-time UK employees to assess their perspectives on the modern work environment.

He said:

Since the pandemic, attitudes toward work lifestyles have shifted, with employees placing greater emphasis on their mental health and the importance of maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal life.

A balanced lifestyle can help prevent burnout and chronic stress – issues commonly associated with demanding work environments. When people have time to pursue hobbies and nurture relationships with loved ones, they experience greater emotional satisfaction.

This improved mindset can ultimately boost productivity, enabling employees to be more focused, creative, and efficient.

The Randstad survey also revealed that nearly half of the respondents (45%) had advocated for better working conditions, and 32% admitted to leaving a job due to the absence of flexible work options.

It’s evident that most employees and jobseekers are prioritising work-life balance and expect employers to offer more than just a paycheck.

This sentiment is echoed in the State of Hybrid Work Report, which further highlights employees’ attitudes toward their evolving work environments.

Return-to-office mandates

According to the findings, one in two employees in the UK have adopted the hybrid working model, with most workers wanting to be in the office around three days a week. Despite this, some employers have mandated that employees return to work in the office full-time; this may cause some issues with employees, as nearly 74% of UK workers prefer hybrid work.

Employers are implementing these mandates for numerous reasons, including:

• Enhancing collaboration and innovation: certain tasks achieve better outcomes when employees collaborate in person. Being physically present can lead to more effective discussions and spur creativity.
• Strengthening relationships with colleagues: a positive office culture can significantly boost performance, as employees feel more connected to the company and its values. This is particularly important for new employees who might otherwise feel isolated. Or ostracised.
• Addressing productivity concerns: If employers or managers observe a dip in productivity when staff work remotely, they may feel compelled to bring employees back into the office to maintain consistent output and offer real-time support.

Willingness to sacrifice salary

Despite these RTO mandates, the report revealed the willingness of employees to sacrifice their salary to improve their work-life balance – this in turn can have a domino effect and can lead to employee dissatisfaction and potential high turnover.

73% are willing to reduce their salary for a four-day work week, but with potential new legislation, employees may not have to accept a lower salary. Employees may soon have the right to request a four-day compressed week if new labour plans are successful.

Furthermore, 76% of employees are willing to sacrifice their salaries for flexible working hours.

What is ‘clock blocking’ and ‘coffee badging’?

Due to these mandates, employees are setting stricter boundaries with their work in the form of ‘clock blocking’ and ‘coffee badging’.

Clock blocking refers to the practice where employees block off times in their calendars to avoid meetings that could extend beyond their designated work hours. Workers are increasingly using this tactic to maintain a healthy work-life balance, especially in response to growing concerns about burnout, as 19% of employees report feeling overwhelmed at work.

Millennials are the most likely to engage in clock blocking, with 57% admitting to the practice, compared to 22% of Gen Z and 16% of Gen X employees.

Coffee badging is a growing trend in which employees start their day at the office for a few hours before heading home to finish their work remotely.

This practice has gained popularity, with 39% of employees admitting to it, up 16% from 2023. Interestingly, 54% of those who have been caught coffee badging say their employers were unbothered, indicating that this trend will continue with return-to-office mandates.

UK employers are increasingly setting boundaries to encourage the end of hustle culture, promoting a healthier work-life balance by encouraging employees to fully disconnect after work. Overworking leads to burnout and diminished long-term productivity, and employers nationwide should practice this shift.

Mandates to return to the office can hinder productivity, particularly in a post-pandemic world that values flexibility and emphasises work-life balance.

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