U.S. workers prioritize employability over remote work: Randstad study
GEORGIA, UNITED STATES — A new nationwide survey by Randstad USA reveals that American workers are prioritizing employability over remote work as economic uncertainty persists.
The Workmonitor Pulse survey, which gathered responses from over 750 American workers across 17 sectors, found that 70% of U.S. respondents prefer to maintain their employability instead of having the option to work remotely.
Employability refers to the ability to stay skilled and secure in a changing job market.
Despite the ongoing debate around remote work, 63% of workers say they are unlikely to leave their jobs if required to return to the office three or more days per week.
However, expectations rise with in-office mandates: 63% would want more flexible work hours, and 62% would expect increased annual leave and higher pay in exchange for full-time office attendance.
The emphasis on employability varies by industry. Healthcare workers show the strongest preference (81%), followed by those in manufacturing (75%), financial services (70%), and transport and logistics (65%).
Flexibility and wellbeing outweigh higher salaries
The survey also highlights a growing demand for flexibility and reduced stress over higher wages. More than half (62%) of respondents prefer control over their working hours to a higher salary, and 61% would choose less stress over more pay. Forty-one percent have already taken pay cuts to secure lower-stress jobs.
Flexibility means different things across sectors. In manufacturing and transport and logistics, 71% of workers value flexible hours over remote work options, compared to 54% in financial services and 52% in healthcare. This suggests that even in roles where remote work isn’t feasible, adaptable scheduling remains a key draw.
Retention hinges on more than pay
While salary increases remain the top retention driver for 79% of respondents, other factors are nearly as influential. Manager support for professional development and alignment with company values are each cited by 74% as reasons to stay in a role for five years.
Retention priorities differ by industry. For manufacturing workers, annual pay raises are crucial (90%), while healthcare employees place greater importance on supportive leadership (81%).
“In today’s uncertain economic environment, it’s no surprise that employability remains a top priority to workers. But what really stands out in the Randstad Workmonitor survey is the growing emphasis on flexibility, wellbeing, and setting boundaries,” said Marc-Etienne Julien, CEO of Randstad North America.
“Organizations that recognize and adapt to these evolving trade-offs will not only attract stronger talent, they’ll build the kind of trust and loyalty that drives long-term performance.”
