The 2025 edition of the Robert Walters salary guide reveals that 50% of surveyed professionals are absolutely unwilling to sacrifice salary when moving to a new employer, even in exchange for other benefits such as flexible working hours, a better work-life balance or a more challenging job. This indicates how important financial security remains in the Belgian labour market.
This also means that as many as half of the respondents are willing to accept a lower salary, provided this is offset by benefits that increase their professional and personal satisfaction. This group shows that flexibility, work-life balance and personal values increasingly play a decisive role when choosing a new job.
One in two professionals surveyed say they are willing to sacrifice salary for fringe benefits that increase their professional and personal satisfaction. For 34% of them, flexibility or a better work-life balance is the most important factor. Hybrid working or adaptable working hours play a crucial role. The survey shows that 83% of Belgian organisations do not plan to reduce homeworking days, while 3% are even willing to allow more homeworking in 2025.
Özlem Simsek, managing director at Robert Walters, says: ‘Flexibility is no longer a luxury, but a requirement. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for well-being and motivation.’
Besides flexibility, as many as a quarter of respondents are willing to trade salary for an employer that better reflects their personal values. This striking result shows that culture and ethics are increasingly important. This group looks beyond a good salary and wants to work for an organisation that shares their values and contributes to social causes.
Özlem: ‘’These professionals are looking for a workplace where diversity, inclusion, sustainability and social responsibility are key priorities, preferring an inspiring leadership culture and well-cooperating teams.’
Furthermore, 22% say that a more engaging or challenging job content could convince them to give up part of their salary. ‘Employees want to progress and experience the meaning of their work. This makes job content itself a crucial factor in making career decisions,’ says Özlem.
The survey also shows that 12% of respondents are willing to accept a lower salary in exchange for a shorter commute time. The desire to minimise commuting time is not new, but the focus on this factor is stronger than ever. With increased traffic, many professionals prefer a job closer to home, even if the salary is less attractive.
‘The results show that the job market is increasingly focused on the big picture. Professionals want more than just a salary - they want workplaces that offer them flexibility, where they can develop, and where the company culture motivates them,’ Özlem said. ‘Instead of sticking to the traditional idea that a higher salary is always the key to attracting the best candidates, employers should focus on delivering a balanced offer. This requires flexible working models, a strong corporate culture, and a focus on personal values.’
For the 50% of professionals unwilling to accept lower pay, financial security is a key priority. In times of economic uncertainty or rising cost of living, salary plays a decisive role in the sense of stability and security that professionals expect from their job.
However, the fact that half of respondents are willing to exchange their salary for other benefits confirms that the workplace of tomorrow is not just about financial rewards.
Employers who understand this shift in needs can gain a competitive advantage in the tight labour market.
For this research, recruitment agency Robert Walters surveyed over 60,000 professionals and employers across various sectors in Belgium, with the aim of understanding what drives employees when making career choices in today's job market. The results provide valuable insights for employers looking to respond to changing talent expectations.
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