Work-life balance most valued for Gen Z, millennials and Gen X: Poll
Getting their work-life balance right is the most highly valued employment factor for workers in Singapore, no matter what the age, noted a new survey.
It even surpasses other value propositions such as attractive salary and benefits, with job security, career progression and equity also trailing behind.
The annual survey conducted by recruitment agency Randstad polled around 170,000 people in places like Japan, Belgium, India and Greece, including 2,522 in Singapore.
It found that just over 50 per cent of employees here rated "work-life balance" and "salary and benefits" positively when evaluating their current employers.
This indicates clearly that there is room for improvement in these two factors: While both are top priorities for employees, they are "rated relatively low" when assessing bosses.
"With salary packages and benefits now highly competitive, work-life balance is emerging as a crucial differentiator for both attracting and keeping top talent," said Randstad Singapore country director David Blasco.
Respondents across generations have differing motivators at work. While work-life balance and attractive salary and benefits remain the top two priorities for Gen Z (aged 13 to 28) and millennials (29 to 44), Gen X (45 to 60) place slightly more emphasis on compensation.
The survey also found that equity - a desire to work in a fair and inclusive environment - is one of the most important factors for employees, particularly Gen Z.
But employers' equity ratings here slipped from 2024, with only 53 per cent agreeing that their particular qualities are appreciated in the workplace, a 4 per cent fall from 2024.
A decline in equity scores also signals lack of fairness and transparency in the workplace in areas such as hiring practices and offering opportunities to deserving employees.
Other findings noted that while Gen Z prioritised strong training and development opportunities, Gen X looked for a financially healthy company.
Older generations also tend to be more critical of their employers, especially when it comes to their expectations of a "pleasant work atmosphere".
Mr Blasco said: "In the rush to meet targets and deadlines, the employee experience is often overlooked.
"It's the small moments, such as being comfortable sharing different viewpoints, having chances to develop new skills or simply enjoying with teammates that truly enhance engagement.
"These moments not only foster a positive atmosphere but also reduce the likelihood of employees jumping ship to search for better workplaces."
Keeping employees motivated and engaged
Work-life balance is also the main factor affecting how engaged or disengaged employees feel, the survey noted.
The lack of recognition or appreciation for their work was consistently ranked in the top three across all generations as factors that discouraged staff.
The report highlighted that Gen Z are the most engaged, with 68 per cent reportedly feeling motivated in 2025, followed by millennials at 61 per cent and Gen X at 58 per cent.
On the other hand, wanting higher salaries and better benefits is the leading factor to prompt Gen Z (57 per cent) and millennials (54 per cent) to leave their current jobs.
The lack of flexibility is also a factor, with 23 per cent citing it as a reason to make them quit.
A separate Randstad survey found that 31 per cent of workers in Singapore would quit if they lacked sufficient flexibility.
"As flexible work options and alternative income sources become commonplace, prioritising work-life balance is what truly sets employers apart from their competitors in the market," said Mr Blasco.
Even though 49 per cent of respondents felt engaged, companies may already be losing the other half of their workforce, given that less engaged staff (18 per cent) are 60 per cent more likely to consider quitting than their engaged counterparts.
Impact of artificial intelligence
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace has steadily increased year on year, with more frequent users among Gen Z and Gen X.
Notably, millennials are scaling back on AI at work, with only 36 per cent reporting frequent usage, a slight decline from 2024.
The report also noted that Gen Z feel most threatened by the increased use of AI, with 44 per cent saying it "has a considerable impact on my job". Another 6 per cent feel they may lose their job because of AI.
Mr Blasco noted: "Singaporeans are increasingly viewing AI as a work companion, considering it a supportive tool rather than a threat to their job security.
"Companies that highlight their AI achievements as part of their employer branding will stand out in attracting tech-savvy and digital-first talent."
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