Attractive salary and benefits, work-life balance, good training, equity and job security are the top factors driving the US workforce when choosing employers, reflecting a shift toward long-term financial stability and benefits, according to Randstad USA’s 2024 Randstad Employer Branding survey, released today.

The poll also noted significant disparities in compensation and benefits satisfaction among women and older employees, particularly baby boomers, who reported fewer instances of equitable compensation, signalling an urgent need for tailored strategies to address these gaps.

Job switching remains active, with a 2% increase in job changes in the latter half of 2023 and a predicted 3% rise in the next six months. Gen Z employees are the most likely to switch jobs.

The study also found that employment in the consulting, scientific and engineering sectors is highly coveted, reflecting the US emphasis on innovation and technical expertise. On the other hand, job security remains crucial, with millennials favoring their current roles and feeling secure and valued.

Hybrid and fully remote work arrangements have surged, with 50% of workers working remotely at least partly, up from 42% in 2023. Furthermore, millennials are more engaged with remote work, while baby boomers show lower participation.

“As we dissect the trends from our latest research, it’s clear that the American workforce is entering a new era where equity and longer-term financial security are moving to the forefront of employee priorities,” Marc-Etienne Julien, CEO of Randstad North America, said in a press release.

This shift is a “powerful reminder” that organizations must look beyond the traditional salary offer to attract and retain top talent, according to Julien.

“This means embracing more inclusive compensation models and fostering workplaces where everyone, regardless of background or role, can see a future for themselves,” Julien said. “It’s an exciting challenge that will redefine what it means to be an employer of choice in the coming years.”

The report named the following companies as particularly attractive to the workforce: Cognizant Technology Solutions, Alphabet (Google), Marsh & McLennan, General Dynamics, ABM Industries, Northrop Grumman, Amazon, The Walt Disney Co., Archer Daniels Midland and Genuine Parts.

The survey was conducted in January and includes responses from more than 5,061 Americans aged 18 to 65.