Workers value culture and flexibility over traditional benefits as job dissatisfaction rises globally
Aon plc's 2025 Human Capital Employee Sentiment Study reveals that 60 percent of employees are considering leaving their jobs within the next 12 months.
The study highlights significant dissatisfaction among workers.
A majority of respondents expressed a preference for well-being and work-life balance over skill development, reflecting a shift in workplace priorities.
Employees showed limited motivation to enhance their artificial intelligence skills, with just over a third globally feeling compelled to adapt to this new technology.
This lack of interest in upskilling comes at a time when technological advancements are reshaping industries.
At the same time, the study found a growing demand for work-life balance. Benefits like job sharing and technology-free hours ranked as the third most valued among employees.
Gen Z workers placed even greater importance on these programs, ranking them second only to medical benefits and ahead of paid time off, career development, and retirement savings.
Aon has coined this trend the ‘Hustle Reset,’ describing how employees are rethinking their roles within organisations and distancing themselves from the culture of burnout and constant availability.
Lambos Lambrou, CEO of Human Capital at Aon, said, “It’s a common belief that the employee trends that took hold during the ‘Great Resignation’ of 2021 and 2022 are over, but our study results show a more nuanced picture of the workforce landscape.”
He noted that, despite a cooling job market, employees are reevaluating their values and prioritizing employers that support their lives outside of work as they consider their next move.
The study highlights the importance of company culture in recruitment and retention. Beyond competitive pay and benefits, employees value workplaces that are enjoyable and aligned with their personal values.
A strong workplace culture ranked highly among factors influencing job choices, indicating the need for businesses to foster environments that appeal to modern workers.
In addition to broad workforce trends, the study sheds light on differing perspectives about artificial intelligence.
While 22 percent of founders and C-suite executives believe AI will significantly replace jobs in their industries, only 11 percent of entry-level employees share that view.
Many entry-level workers remain uncertain about AI's impact on their roles, with 64 percent expressing uncertainty and 31 percent less likely to believe AI will create new opportunities requiring fresh skills.
The study also reveals disparities in how workers feel valued. Hybrid employees report feeling the most appreciated by their employers, while fully remote workers are 52 percent more likely to feel undervalued.
Office-based employees were 10 percent more likely to feel underappreciated compared to hybrid workers. These findings suggest that balancing flexibility and engagement remains a challenge for employers.
Compensation continues to play a decisive role in talent retention. Forty-seven percent of employees ranked better-than-average pay and benefits as their top priority when evaluating employers.
Aon emphasises that companies must use data and analytics to benchmark pay and benefits against market standards to remain competitive.
Aon’s Radford McLagan Compensation Database offers businesses actionable insights to meet these expectations and retain top talent.
Personalisation of benefits is another pressing issue. Seventy-two percent of employees stated that personalised benefits are important to them, but only 41 percent reported having access to a choice-based system.
Communication gaps also hinder the effective use of existing benefits. Even for common offerings like life and disability insurance, only 38 percent of employees who consider these benefits important believe they have access to them.
Lisa Stevens, chief administrative officer at Aon, emphasized the challenges employers face in meeting evolving expectations.
“The results of our inaugural Human Capital Employee Sentiment Study reveal that employee expectations are shifting, and the war for talent is far from over,” she said.
Stevens added that employers are under increasing pressure to deliver superior experiences that retain strong talent, foster loyalty amid the ‘Hustle Reset,’ and create environments where employees can thrive.
