The importance of a good atmosphere at work precedes salary among young people – here is Randstad’s 2025 research

Workplace atmosphere now rivals salary in importance

The global Randstad Employer Brand Research surveyed 170,000 people across 34 countries, including over 7,000 respondents from Hungary. The most important employer attribute among Hungarians remains “attractive salary and benefits,” followed closely by good working atmosphere, work-life balance, long-term job security, and financial stability.

Interestingly, for Generation Z, workplace culture now takes precedence over pay. For this youngest cohort, a positive environment is the top priority, and 64% of them say they are satisfied with their current employer in this regard – a level of satisfaction not observed in older generations.

Generational expectations differ significantly

The research highlights that expectations shift with age. While Gen Z prioritizes community and workplace experience, Generation X and baby boomers seek stability – particularly job security. Satisfaction with pay decreases with age, yet younger respondents rate their current compensation more positively.

Most attractive industries and expectations

The study also assessed attractiveness by industry. IT, healthcare, engineering, and finance remain among the most appealing sectors, with workers in these fields looking for high pay, career growth, and flexibility. Younger employees are especially drawn to innovation and digital tools – putting digitally advanced employers at an advantage.

Retention requires new strategies

The survey found that nearly half of Hungarian employees are actively or passively open to new job opportunities – meaning they’re either searching or would consider a change. This makes employer branding critical: retention today depends not just on pay but also on experience, flexibility, development opportunities, and company culture.