Research from travel franchise company Travel Counsellors has found that work-life balance has overtaken higher pay as the most important factor for UK workers considering a new role. In a recent study which surveyed over 2,000 UK adult workers, nearly half (43 per cent) plan to leave their job in the next 12 months and over a quarter (27 per cent) are already exploring what is out there.
When searching for a new role, a good work-life balance is the number one on their must-have list (43 per cent), followed by flexible working hours (35 per cent). Despite the pressured economic environment, better salary and benefits only ranked third in the list of must-haves (31 per cent). In addition, 17 per cent want a better working culture and 16 per cent better personal development opportunities.
Amongst those who intend to stay in their current role in the next 12 months, the main reason for this is that they enjoy their work culture and the people they work with (45 per cent), underscoring the importance of ‘softer’ work benefits.
The findings also reveal that, while salary is no longer the primary driver for many UK jobseekers, practical factors do still play a role, with one fifth (20 per cent) making career progression their number one wish.
“The UK workforce is having a rethink about what matters most in a job. While salary continues to be important, people are increasingly prioritising roles that allow them to achieve a better work-life balance and provide greater flexibility in how they work,” commented Matt Harding, Director of Franchise Sales at Travel Counsellors. “For many, having time for family and personal commitments, and being part of a working culture that is supportive and aligned to personal values, is just as valuable as financial rewards.
“At Travel Counsellors, we’re seeing a growing number of individuals choosing to build their own travel business for exactly these reasons,” he added. “They’re looking for the freedom to shape their working lives, but also the reassurance of being part of a community that genuinely cares about their success. Our model gives them the autonomy to work in a way that suits them, supported by industry‑leading technology, award‑winning training and a global community of like‑minded travel professionals who champion one another.”
