UK workers prioritize a healthier work-life balance as a key change for 2025.
- Research shows 26% of employees want better work-life balance in their roles.
- Flexibility and recognition also top the list of desired workplace changes.
- Nearly 20% of employees desire more time off during the holiday season.
- Workplace autonomy is crucial, with employees preferring remote working options.
New research underscores a significant shift among UK employees who are seeking a healthier work-life balance as a priority for their job roles in 2025. The study reveals that 26% of the workforce identify this as their top change, surpassing demands for more flexibility (17%) and increased recognition (12%).
Nearly 20% of employees expressed a desire for additional time off as their most appreciated gift from employers during the holiday season. This request is second to financial tokens or gift vouchers, which 26% of respondents favored. A smaller percentage, 11%, hope for Christmas hampers or food gifts, while only 9% would appreciate a holiday party.
Job satisfaction seems tightly linked to work-life balance, as almost a third of employees seeking this balance have indicated they would consider leaving their current position if these changes are not implemented by next year. Moreover, 39% of workers would seek new employment if workplace culture does not improve, and 40% might look elsewhere if required to increase in-office presence.
The preference for workplace autonomy becomes evident as 17% of respondents express a desire for more flexibility, and only 4% hope to spend more time in-office by 2025. Interestingly, attitudes towards work-life balance and workplace conditions differ across age demographics, with millennials aged 25-34 prioritizing balance, while individuals over 55 mostly content with their current roles.
According to James Malia, global chief growth officer and European president at Prezzee, “With the holiday season fast approaching, businesses should consider what changes need to be made in the new year. Our research highlights that offering employees an environment where achieving a healthy work-life balance should be top of that list, whether that’s through providing increased flexibility or more time off over the holiday season to spend with loved ones.”
UK workers want meaningful adjustments in work habits to better balance professional and personal lives.
