Flexibility ranked as one of the most important factors when looking for a new job or deciding what company to work for by 73 percent of working adults in the U.S., up from 61 percent in a similar survey last year, according to a survey by Mom Corps, a national flexible staffing firm.

Nearly half, 48 percent, of working adults agree they would consider alternative work options — like temping, contracting, part-time or consulting — instead of a traditional full-time job in order to better achieve work/life balance. Additionally, 58 percent of working adults agree they would get more work done if they had the ability to work from home occasionally, compared to 53 percent in 2012.

Fifty-eight percent of working adults agree that taking a significant time out of the workforce to do these things would set their careers back.

“We know that seasoned talent opting out of the workforce because they don’t have options to work differently is a lose/lose situation for both the employee and his or her company,” said Mom Corps CEO Allison O’Kelly. “Flexible schedules for those who have already proven themselves, but just need a little leverage to make their situation work, is the answer.”

Forty-five percent of U.S. working adults said they would be willing to relinquish at least some portion of their salary for more flexibility at work — consistent with 45 percent in 2012 and 42 percent 2011.

The survey found 39 percent of working adults have considered leaving or have left a job because it wasn’t flexible enough, but that increases to 50 percent for the 18- to 34-year–old bracket.

The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Mom Corps among 2,013 adults, of whom 886 are “working adults” (employed full time and/or part time).