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Workmonitor Report Indicates That For The First Time, Working Less Is Worth More Than A High Salary. Trend Grows Among Generations.
For the first time, working less is worth more than a high salary, says an international study that analyzed the new expectations of workers in the United States.
The Workmonitor 2025 report, released by Randstad, shows that employees from different generations are prioritizing work-life balance when evaluating where to work, when to stay in their current job, and even what type of career they want to build.
The change became clear after years of pressure for a full return to the office, long hours, and after-hours messaging—factors that, according to experts, accelerated corporate fatigue.
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The study, released this Monday, reveals what has changed: balance has become the main factor in professional decision-making.
It also shows who is leading this transformation, especially young people from Generation Z and millennials.
The research also details when this shift began, how it affects companies, and why it is forcing CEOs to reevaluate their expectations about productivity.
The trend is spreading across the U.S., where workers say they are tired of rigid models and demands that invade their private lives.
Thus, American corporate culture enters a phase where, for the first time, working less is worth more than a high salary, says the study, marking a historic break with traditional labor market standards.
Balance Surpasses Salary for The First Time in 22 Years
According to the Workmonitor 2025, 83% of respondents point to work-life balance as the most important factor when deciding on a job, even above job security. Salary came in third place, at 82%.
This is the first time since the survey began 22 years ago that this aspect has surpassed compensation as the central motivator of professional decisions.
The report states, “The workers’ search for environments that adapt to them, rather than the other way around, continues to be a major motivator.”
“Their expectations have become more multifaceted, with traditionally valued aspects in the workplace giving way to broader priorities.”
This change reinforces the idea that for the first time, working less is worth more than a high salary, says the study, placing well-being as the main focus of career choices.
Generation Z Drives Cultural Change
Among young people, this shift is even more evident. About 74% of Generation Z prioritizes balance, while only 68% place salary as their absolute priority.
The report highlights that younger workers also value mental health (70%) more than “attractive salaries,” suggesting that feeling good about going to work weighs as much as or more than earning above average.
Moreover, flexibility has become almost a prerequisite: about 40% of Gen Z and millennials would accept earning less in exchange for hybrid or remote work routines, according to another LinkedIn survey.
This choice is part of a movement known as “career minimalism,” in which professionals reduce their efforts within the company to preserve energy for their personal projects and life outside of work.
Older Professionals Also Change, But With Caveats
Although Generation Z leads this change, more experienced workers also cite balance as a priority. Among baby boomers, 85% value balance and 87% still advocate for strong salaries.
This shows that traditional values remain strong, even as they coexist with the new mindset that for the first time, working less is worth more than a high salary, says the study, especially to preserve health, routine, and personal relationships.
Employees Want Flexibility CEOs Disagree
Although workers of all ages agree on the importance of balance, many CEOs believe this reality is incompatible with high performance.
Marc Randolph, co-founder of Netflix, is one of the few voices at the corporate top advocating for balanced routines. He worked under a strict rule: every Tuesday, he left the office at 5 PM, without exceptions.
“Those Tuesday nights kept me sane. They put everything else in perspective,” he wrote in a post that has resurfaced.
Another surprising name is Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan, who encourages young people to protect their mental health and personal relationships. “You need to have balance between life and work,” he stated.
On the other hand, some leaders completely reject the concept. Sergey Brin (Google), Lucy Guo (Scale AI), and Andrew Feldman (Cerebras) criticize the idea of adhering to 9-to-5 routines.
“This idea that someone can achieve greatness working 38 hours a week is unbelievable to me,” Feldman said on the 20VC podcast.
A Transforming Market and A More Human Future
The study makes it clear that the professional culture is changing at an accelerated pace. The new generation no longer accepts the traditional formula of “work more to earn more.”
Thus, for the first time, working less is worth more than a high salary, says the study, revealing a movement that will continue to shape internal policies, incentive models, and even the future of corporate leadership.
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