Flexible working hours and financial reward are the most important contributors to job satisfaction for UK employees, according to new research.
Avilio, a productivity and performance coaching provider, commissioned an independent survey of 1,284 UK workers to explore what underpins Britons’ sense of job satisfaction. It found that financial reward is the top priority, with almost half (44%) of respondents citing it as their key driver.
Flexible working (being able to adjust working hours) came in second (41%), outranking hybrid working (33%), suggesting that when people work now matters more than where they work. This trend was more prevalent among respondents aged 35-54 (45%) and 55+ (42%), while younger employees aged 18-34 placed slightly less (37%) emphasis on it.
“Working with colleagues that I like and get on with” was also an important consideration, cited by almost four out of 10 (39%) of respondents.
Career progression was cited by just 22% of respondents, though this rises to 31% among younger employees (18-34). Other consistent motivators across age groups and genders include working with colleagues they get on with (39%) and the ability to provide for themselves and their family (36%).
“This data highlights a clear shift in what employees’ value in their jobs,” said Philippe Masson, CEO of Avilio.” While the pandemic brought widespread hybrid working, simply allowing people to work from home is no longer enough to help them manage their work-life balance.
“Beyond financial rewards, employees now prioritise the ability to adjust their working hours, so allowing them the freedom to choose when they work could be a particularly significant factor for many prospective and existing employees in the coming years. To retain their talent and truly support their teams, employers must ensure that flexibility is embedded in the culture and backed by policies that are practical, consistent, and responsive to employees’ needs.
“This is especially important as people take on additional responsibilities with age, such as childcare or caring for elderly relatives. Flexible working was valued most among older respondents, so a one-size-fits-all approach to supporting wellbeing simply won’t work. Providing meaningful flexibility is now the most effective way to reduce stress and boost productivity, and employers who get this right will empower their workforce to thrive.”
