Flexible working hours are, after financial reward, the most important contributor to job satisfaction for UK employees, according to new research from coaching provider Avilio.
The research found that financial reward is the top priority, with 44 per cent of respondents citing it as their key driver.
But flexible working (being able to adjust working hours) is the second most cited factor, mentioned by 41 per cent of respondents, outranking hybrid working at 33 per cent, suggesting that when people work now matters more than where they work. This trend was more prevalent among respondents aged 35-54 (45 per cent) and 55+ (42 per cent), while younger employees aged 18-34 placed slightly less (37 per cent) emphasis on it.
Career progression was cited by just 22 per cent of respondents, rising to 31 per cent among younger employees (18-34). Other consistent motivators across age groups and genders include working with colleagues they get on with (39 per cent) and the ability to provide for themselves and their family (36 per cent).
Productivity and performance coaching provider Avillo commissioned the independent, nationally representative survey of 1,284 UK workers to explore what underpins Britons’ sense of job satisfaction
| Financial reward (salary/bonus) | 44% |
| Flexible working (being able to adjust working hours) | 41% |
| Working with colleagues that I like and get on with | 39% |
| Knowing I can provide for me and my family | 36% |
| Hybrid working (working partially or fully from home) | 33% |
| Receiving praise and encouragement from my clients/customers, superiors and peers | 32% |
| Having work that is constantly challenging and interesting | 31% |
| Knowing that my job makes an impact on society | 29% |
| Knowing that there is career progression beyond my current role and responsibilities | 22% |
| N/A – I do not feel a sense of job satisfaction | 5% |
Philippe Masson, CEO of Avilio, says: “This data highlights a clear shift in what employees’ value in their jobs. 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.”
