As Americans rethink what they want out of their careers, work-life balance is taking center stage. For the first time since Randstad began tracking employment trends 22 years ago, balance has surpassed pay as the top motivator for workers considering a job.
But while many employees see this shift as long overdue, some high-profile CEOs say the idea of achieving big ambitions without long hours simply doesn’t add up.
According to Randstad’s Workmonitor 2025 report, 83% of workers now rank work-life balance as their highest priority — slightly edging out both job security and pay. This shift is part of a broader change in expectations: workers want jobs that fit around their lives, not the other way around.
Don’t Miss:
Randstad says that employees are increasingly looking for workplaces that reflect their values and support their ambitions. Nearly half say they wouldn’t accept a job with a company whose social or environmental values don’t align with their own — up sharply from 38% last year. And more workers are willing to walk away altogether, with 31% having quit due to limited career advancement.
Younger generations have been especially vocal about challenging the traditional grind. For Gen Z, 74% list work-life balance as a top consideration, compared with 68% who prioritize pay, according to the report. Many even rank mental health support above compensation.
This group also places a premium on flexibility. A LinkedIn report found that around 38% of Gen Z and millennial workers would take a pay cut for more remote or hybrid options.
Still, this mindset isn’t limited to younger employees. Randstad reports baby boomers also rate work-life balance (85%) and pay (87%) as top priorities, showing that interest in sustainable work schedules spans generations.
Trending: 7 Million Gamers Already Trust Gameflip With Their Digital Assets — Now You Can Own a Stake in the Platform
Despite broad agreement among workers, executives remain divided on whether meaningful balance can coexist with high achievement.
Netflix (NASDAQ:NFLX) co-founder Marc Randolph is one leader who advocates for clear boundaries. Throughout his career, he kept Tuesday nights strictly free from work — no meetings, no last-minute calls. “Those Tuesday nights kept me sane. And they put the rest of my work in perspective,” he wrote in a LinkedIn post.