Robert Half: 48% of U.S. Workers Wouldn't Trade Flexibility for a Bigger Paycheck

2021’s Great Resignation movement was a phenomenon that had a significant impact on the workforce, with ripple effects still felt to this day.

Some even suggest that the Great Resignation was responsible for the AI boom we saw from 2022 onward, as companies turned to AI and automation to replace the workforce exodus.

Between 2022 and today, estimates suggest about half a million U.S. tech workers either resigned or were laid off across the country.

As both companies and workers have had to adjust to a post-Great Resignation era, we turned to Lucy Marino from the staffing and recruitment giant Robert Half, seeking answers on what those adjustments were.

Who Is Lucy Marino?

As the executive director of the marketing and creative practice area at Robert Half, Lucy Marino oversees strategy and operations for the respective teams across U.S. locations. Lucy has been with Robert Half since 1999.

As many employees left their jobs during the Great Resignation, companies were forced to increase recruitment efforts, a trend that peaked in 2024.

“This year, job openings have exceeded both historic and pre-pandemic levels, showing pent-up demand from companies that may have been more conservative in their hiring approach throughout 2023.”

“Many are now hitting the gas pedal and resuming projects that were put on hold last year, but while the demand for skilled professionals is high, hiring challenges exist in today’s market. Where employers are looking to grow their teams, workers may be more reluctant to make moves.”

The Big Stay Following the Great Resignation

That's a new trend that emerged in the aftermath of the Great Resignation, a trend some have nicknamed as “Big Stay.”

Essentially, this means professionals are now more selective with the opportunities they accept.

“Many workers made career moves during the Great Resignation and are prioritizing the flexibility of their current work arrangement overtaking a new job, even if it means turning down a bigger paycheck.”

“Employers looking to hire talent for in-demand roles will need to be prepared to offer a competitive salary, flexible work, and ample professional development opportunities for workers to consider switching jobs.”

Many of these reluctant professionals are looking to work remotely, or at least, in a hybrid setting. Research by Robert Half shows that managers and employees have become closely aligned on hybrid set-ups.

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Meanwhile, Lucy was kind enough to provide some insights for executives looking to attract professionals:

“Anchoring days on-site and in-person-with-purpose policies can help bring teams together to collaborate, socialize and brainstorm, which is beneficial to managers and teams.”

“Flexibility is key for workers in today’s market. According to our research, nearly half of workers (48%) feel less inclined to search for a new job because their current employer offers a level of flexibility that they aren’t willing to lose.”

“In a separate Robert Half survey, 62% of workers said they would opt for a lower salary for flexible work options. Employers who can’t be competitive with high salary offers can gain a competitive edge by offering flexibility to their employees.”

Several industries have been through some hard times last year, with mass layoffs affecting many companies. That trend bled well into 2024, and for the professionals caught off-guard, it might be time to rethink career paths.

“My advice would be to look outside of the industry for a new opportunity."

"For example, if you’re a creative professional who was working at a large agency, consider applying to marketing roles at small to midsize businesses in finance or tech, or look into opportunities in the public sector, which has seen robust job creation this year.”

“Despite the layoffs, demand for skilled talent remains high, and we’re optimistic about the hiring outlook for the rest of 2024. Looking at the bigger picture, professionals in hot fields like tech and marketing are in top demand and won’t sit on the sidelines long.”

Soft Skills Are In High Demand

Professionals looking to get recruited should implement these five tips shared by Lucy:

1. Utilize your network – Request informational meetings with people in your personal and professional network to learn about interesting career opportunities. Keep in touch with colleagues who may have moved on to new companies and roles. Attend in-person or virtual networking events, and follow up with personalized emails or LinkedIn requests to the people you spoke with
2. Leverage social media – Apps like TikTok and Instagram are goldmines for job search tips from hiring managers, career coaches, recruiters, and others. You can find insights including how to answer interview questions, tips to tailor a resume, and how to strategically network
3. Work with a recruiter – Specialized staffing services can help you connect with industry contacts and find new, even unadvertised, job opportunities that match your skills and goals
4. Invite feedback – As you work to improve your soft skills, ask colleagues you’re friendly with to weigh in on how you’re doing
5. Practice – Take courses focused on improving a certain soft skill. Several sites offer webinars or self-paced learning opportunities that will walk you through exercises to grow

Lucy highlighted some of those soft skills on hot demand, including great communication skills, creative thinking, problem-solving, and high adaptability.

This is even more relevant as many tasks are being replaced by automation and AI.

“Technology continues to shape the workplace as we know it, but employers still very much need the human touch to be successful, and increasingly look to professionals who can adapt to an evolving workplace.”

“AI is a tool, not a substitute,” Lucy concludes.

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