Randstad Workmonitor 2026: Salary attracts, balance retains

According to the Randstad Workmonitor 2026, there is a distinct difference between what attracts employees to new roles and what encourages them to stay in their current positions.

Data shows that 89% of respondents cite salary as the primary factor for attracting talent to a new job. In contrast, 45% identify work-life balance as the main reason for remaining in their current roles. The report suggests that while salary is a visible external metric used for comparison, work-life balance is an internal experience that varies significantly between individuals.