88% of Kiwis prioritised work-life balance above all else in their current employment, the latest Randstad Workmonitor report has revealed.
The report, which has been conducted for 22 years, examines the perspectives of over 26,000 workers across 35 markets in Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas, including more than 770 participants from New Zealand.
85% of New Zealanders cited salary as their second top concern, followed closely by job security at 82%.
Meanwhile, working from home (WFH) has been found to be less important. This stands in contrast to last year’s data, where half of Kiwi workers expressed they would consider resigning if asked to spend more days in the office instead of working remotely. Currently, while flexibility remains a priority for many, only a minority view WFH as a non-negotiable aspect of their employment.
“For some employees, working from home may not be as attractive as they initially thought. Our findings support this, with 87% of workers saying they perform better when they feel a sense of community or belonging with workmates, and perhaps not surprising, this sense of community was also good for their mental health,” Country director for Randstad New Zealand, Sarah Bills, said.
“From a business point of view, fostering connections and a genuine sense of belonging among employees not only boosts productivity but also enhances an organisation’s brand. With the job market still tight, employees may be seeking additional reassurances and naturally gravitate toward connection, making our workplace communities more important than ever.”
“We are beginning to see green shoots in the form of new roles and opportunities. It’s important that employers keep a close eye on what employees are seeking in the short term and have open and honest conversations to find some common ground,” she added.
If pay increases are not feasible due to the slowing wage growth, Bills recommended offering benefits such as flexible hours, volunteer days, or additional leave as cost-effective, short-term alternatives.