Randstad USA, a global partner for talent, has announced the results from its extensive 2024 Randstad Employer Brand Research. With over 5,061 Americans participating out of a global pool of 173,000 respondents, this year’s results provide deep insights into the evolving attributes and expectations of the U.S. workforce, focusing on employer attractiveness and job mobility patterns. The five most important drivers when selecting an employer were attractive salary and benefits, work-life balance, good training, equity, and job security.
“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 American priorities,” says Marc-Etienne Julien, chief executive at Randstad North America. “This shift is a powerful reminder that organizations must look beyond the traditional salary offer to attract and retain top talent. This means embracing more inclusive compensation models and fostering workplaces where everyone, regardless of background or role, can see a future for themselves. It’s an exciting challenge that will redefine what it means to be an employer of choice in the coming years.”
Key findings include the following.
- As noted in previous years, an attractive salary remains in the top position as the most desirable trait in employer value propositions. Remarkably, equity emerges as a significant factor, entering the top five preferences, indicative of a workforce increasingly motivated by long-term financial stability and benefits.
- The findings spotlight considerable disparities in compensation and benefits satisfaction among women and older employees, specifically baby boomers. This demographic group reports fewer instances of equitable compensation, signaling an urgent need for tailored strategies to bridge this gap.
- Examination of job switching behavior reveals an active landscape; a 2% increase in job changes in the latter half of 2023 and a predicted 3% rise in the next six months underscore a robust trend toward mobility, especially among Gen Z employees, who are the most likely to switch jobs.
- Employment in the consulting, scientific, and engineering sectors is highly coveted, aligning with the U.S.’s emphasis on innovation and technical expertise. Job security continues to be of utmost importance, with millennials particularly favoring their current employment situation, feeling secure and valued.
- The data illustrates an increase in hybrid and fully remote work arrangements. Almost 50% of workers work remotely at least partly now compared to 42% in 2023. Remote work has become more prevalent, accepted, and expected, particularly among millennials, while baby boomers show lower engagement with remote work patterns.
