The world of labor continues to evolve, however one factor stays fixed within the present job market: the demand for distant and versatile work. From improved working relationships to higher work-life stability, flexible work can benefit everyone—and job seekers agree.
To raised perceive staff’ profession choices, work preferences, and views on the present job market, FlexJobs polled greater than 3,000 U.S.-based professionals between August 5 and 18.
Pay raises, distant work, and wholesome tradition increase retention
FlexJobs’s 2024 State of the Workforce Report revealed that nearly all of staff (67%) plan to vary jobs within the subsequent six months. These surveyed indicated that the highest three elements that might forestall them from leaving their jobs embrace a pay elevate (38%), the flexibility to work remotely (34%), and an improved office tradition (33%).
“Altering careers can have a profound affect on all features of life,” stated Keith Spencer, Career Expert at FlexJobs. “It’s vital that these contemplating a change begin with strategic planning, analysis, and an organized job search plan earlier than making a call. This preparation may help staff make extra knowledgeable choices and navigate the ups and downs of profession transitions.”
Along with higher pay, distant work choices, and improved company culture, the professionals polled in FlexJobs’s survey highlighted different key elements that might forestall or may have prevented them from leaving a job. Responses ranged from improved communication and management adjustments to flexible schedules and four-day workweeks.
Right here’s a breakdown of the high elements that might forestall staff from leaving their jobs:
- Pay elevate (38%)
- Permit distant work (34%)
- Enhance office tradition (33%)
- Enhance communication and transparency between administration and workers (31%)
- Supply a extra versatile schedule (28%)
- Encourage a more healthy work-life stability (27%)
- Make adjustments to administration (27%)
- Supply extra alternatives for promotions (26%)
- Swap to a four-day workweek (21%)
- Present coaching for profession development (20%)
Practically one in 4 (23%) respondents acknowledged that their employer instituted a return-to-office mandate prior to now 12 months, underscoring that forced in-office work arrangements are a big ache level for a lot of staff.
Moreover, 35% of individuals stated they know somebody who has give up or who plans to give up their job on account of return-to-office mandates, and one other 57% of respondents stated they’d “completely” search for a brand new job in the event that they weren’t allowed to proceed working remotely of their present place.
When survey-takers have been requested if they’d search for a brand new job in the event that they weren’t allowed to maintain working remotely, the responses have been as follows:
- Completely (57%)
- Possibly (34%)
- No (9%)
In trade for the choice to work remotely, 58% of survey respondents stated they’d settle for a wage lower. In the meantime, 31% acknowledged they’d be prepared to take a pay lower of as much as 5%, and 18% stated they’d settle for an excellent increased pay lower of 10%. These responses reinforce the notion that remote and flexible work are key factors in compensation packages.
Professionals prioritize distant work and schedule flexibility
In comparison with surveys from previous years, staff are inserting better worth on work-from-home choices, flexibility, and work-life stability.
Nearly all of respondents to FlexJobs’s 2024 survey stated a fully remote job (65%) or hybrid remote job (34%) is their superb work association. The truth is, distant work topped the record of things individuals thought of most essential in a job.
Right here’s a full breakdown of the high elements staff take into account most essential in a job:
- Distant work (81%)
- Wage (77%)
- Having a versatile schedule (72%)
- Having a very good boss (62%)
- Work-life boundaries (61%)
- Significant work (61%)
- Wholesome firm tradition (54%)
- Medical insurance (50%)
- Quantity of paid trip and sick time (46%)
- 401(okay) retirement advantages (45%)
- Having good colleagues (41%)
- Profession development alternatives (40%)
- Firm’s status (36%)
- Variety, fairness, and inclusion initiatives (27%)
Job market optimism is fading amongst staff
Regardless of widespread curiosity in changing careers and securing remote and hybrid work options, 46% of staff consider the job market is worse in the present day than it was right now final 12 months.
Practically 1 / 4 (24%) of respondents acknowledged that the present job market is “so much worse” than it was in 2023, whereas 17% stated they really feel that the job market is identical, and solely 13% really feel that it’s higher than it was a 12 months in the past.
Right here’s a full breakdown of skilled views on the present job market:
- The job market is so much worse in the present day (24%)
- I’m undecided (24%)
- The job market is a bit worse in the present day (22%)
- The job market is identical because it was final 12 months (17%)
- The job market is a bit higher in the present day (9%)
- The job market is so much higher in the present day (4%)
These sentiments are mirrored amongst job seekers pursuing distant roles. Resulting from slowed hiring, bigger financial pressures, and an increase in online job scams—which 25% of respondents stated they’ve been a sufferer of no less than as soon as (14%) or greater than as soon as (12%)—55% of job seekers really feel that it is going to be troublesome to discover a distant job within the coming 12 months. Particularly, 31% of respondents assume distant jobs can be “a bit more durable” to search out, whereas 25% really feel they are going to be “a lot more durable” to search out within the subsequent 12 months.
A greater method to work
The outcomes of FlexJobs’s State of the Workforce Report are clear: Distant and versatile work choices are a high precedence amongst job seekers. When these choices aren’t offered—or they’re taken away—many are prepared to leave their jobs seeking a greater method to work.
When you’re among the many majority of job seekers in search of extra versatile work choices, FlexJobs has you lined. Each day, we publish new flexible jobs in more than 50 career categories, so there’s one thing for everybody. Members get unique entry to those postings, so take a tour of FlexJobs to be taught extra in regards to the many advantages of membership and the way we may help you find a strong career fit.
—By Megan Dawkins
A model of this article initially appeared on FlexJobs.com and is reprinted with permission.
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