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Work-life balance has overtaken compensation as the top employer value proposition (EVP) among workers in Hong Kong SAR, according to Randstad’s 2025 Employer Brand Research.
In a survey of 2,599 professionals, 40% of respondents placed work-life balance above all other factors when considering an ideal employer.
Gen Z, Millennials, and Gen X all ranked work-life balance above salary and benefits. While salary and benefits remained the second-most valued EVP across generations, younger workers increasingly pointed to leadership culture, team support and development as significant motivators.
Benjamin Elms, Managing Director at Randstad Hong Kong, said: "To put the research data simply, employees are expecting fair and equal support from their employers in return for their work contributions."
Two in five said flexible working conditions helped them feel motivated and engaged. Development and advancement opportunities and confidence in job security followed, each cited by 32% of respondents. Gen Z respondents were the only cohort to prioritize leadership and culture change slightly ahead of flexibility.
Disengagement linked to inflexible work
Despite higher engagement levels overall compared to 2024, 19% of professionals surveyed said they felt less engaged this year. Disengaged employees were 12% more likely to consider quitting.
"The employee experience can often be overshadowed by deliverables and deadlines, which take precedence in our daily work lives," said Elms. He added that trust, inclusion and meaningful daily interactions all contributed to retention and performance.
Poor work-life balance and excessive workload were named as top demotivators across every generation surveyed. Millennials were equally affected by inflexibility and lack of financial reward, while Gen X respondents also cited unclear management expectations.
AI adoption trends shift by generation
As AI continues to influence job roles and workflows, Randstad’s data showed an rise in usage among Gen Z and Millennial workers. Year-on-year, daily use went up by 4% and 1% respectively. In contrast, Gen X reported a 6-point decline in regular use, and 39% said they had never used AI at work.
Elms said most workers viewed AI as "more of a companion at work rather than a threat to their job security." He added that training in prompt writing, responsible AI use, and real-world applications could help employers improve confidence and engagement.
