One in three employees in Spain, or 30%, plan to change companies in the next six months, according to research from Randstad Spain. The figure is 2% higher than last year’s 28%.

Randstad’s data also showed one in seven employees has changed companies in the last six months (14%), slightly higher than those of 2022, in which 13% changed of company.

The Randstad study found that the causes of job change are mainly wanting a better work-life balance (49%), better salary (33%), lack of professional development opportunities (23%) or insufficient challenges (17%).

When choosing a company, the study showed that material and intangible benefits are valued at similar levels (81% versus 82%), which shows that both play the same role in decision-making. Along these lines, intangible benefits are more appreciated by employees with higher education (83%), women (84%) and those over 35 years of age (83%). Good relationships with colleagues (78%) and the boss (76%) were ranked as the most important intangible benefits. 

Meanwhile, of those surveyed, 14% of professionals would prefer to be unemployed rather than work for an employer that does not conform to their personal values, an aspect that is especially emphasised among the youngest (18% aged 18 to 34).

Additionally, while 54% highly value equity, diversity and inclusion in an organisation, 38% said they need to work for a company that offers mental health and wellness benefits.

Along these same lines, remote work is valued positively, but has decreased slightly. Compared to 2022, about 2% fewer people are working remotely (31% vs. 33% last year) and professionals working ‘fully remotely’ have decreased from 21% in 2021 to just 7% in 2023.

On the training front, 77% of people would stay in a company if they were provided with training and professional growth opportunities.