A new survey by Aon plc has shown that 60% of employees are considering or planning to leave their current roles within the next year, pointing to widespread dissatisfaction.
In its 2025 Human Capital Employee Sentiment Study, Aon reported significant changes in workforce priorities, including a strong emphasis on well-being and work-life balance. Despite the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), only about one-third of employees feel motivated to acquire new skills related to emerging technologies.
The survey, conducted across 23 countries and involving more than 9,000 employees, revealed a rising demand for workplace flexibility, with benefits that support work-life balance, such as job-sharing arrangements or technology-free hours, ranking high on employees’ priority lists.
For Gen Z employees, work-life balance is the second most valued benefit, trailing only medical benefits and ranking above paid time off, career development, and retirement savings. Aon refers to this shift as the "Hustle Reset," a departure from the burnout-prone, "always-on" workplace culture of recent years.
The findings also show that, after competitive pay and benefits, employees prioritize workplaces with strong cultural alignment. They favour organizations perceived as "fun places to work" and those that align with their personal values when evaluating potential employers.
“It’s a common belief that the employee trends that took hold during the ‘Great Resignation’ of 2021 and 2022 are over, but our study results show a more nuanced picture of the workforce landscape,” said Lambos Lambrou, chief executive of human capital at Aon.
“Despite cooling in the job market, employees are reevaluating their values and priorities and, as they look for their next move, prioritizing employers that will support their life outside of work.”
The survey also reveals differing views on artificial intelligence. Twenty-two (22) percent of executives believe AI will significantly replace jobs in their industries, compared to just 11% of entry-level employees. Entry-level employees are also more uncertain about AI's impact on their roles and less likely to see opportunities for new skills driven by AI advancements.
Meanwhile, hybrid workers report feeling the most valued within their organizations. In contrast, fully remote employees are 52% more likely to feel undervalued, and office-based workers are 10% more likely to feel the same.
Nearly half, or 47%, of employees rank above-average pay and meaningful benefits as the top factors influencing their choice of employer. However, workplace culture remains crucial in attracting and retaining talent, according to the report.
Finally, 72% of employees value personalized benefits, yet only 41% have access to a customizable system. The study also uncovers a gap in employee understanding of benefits, with only 38% of employees who consider life and disability insurance important believing these benefits are available to them.
Commenting on these findings, Lisa Stevens, chief administrative officer at Aon, emphasized the importance of adapting to these evolving employee priorities.
“The results of our inaugural Human Capital Employee Sentiment Study reveal that employee expectations are shifting and the war for talent is far from over,” she said. “Employers feel more pressure than ever to deliver a superior experience that retains strong talent.”