What Job Seekers Really Want: Insights from the Return to Work Survey

In 2025, the employment landscape continues to evolve dramatically, with job seekers’ priorities shifting beyond traditional considerations like their salary and career advancement opportunities. Our comprehensive Return to Work Survey gathered insights from over 2,400 professionals across Australia and as we anticipated, it reveals how flexible work arrangements, workplace culture, and a good work-life balance have continued to grow in significance and are now paramount in job seeker’s career decisions. Here’s what we found:

1. Job Seekers Want More Than Just Salary

Flexibility is a Priority

Our Return To Work survey reveals a compelling story about the role of flexibility in today’s workplace. An overwhelming 61.7% of respondents rated flexibility as “very important” in their employment decisions, with an additional 33.3% considering it “somewhat important.” This means that 95% of professionals now view workplace flexibility as a significant factor in their career choices.

The evolution of hybrid work arrangements has become particularly important. Among organisations that have implemented formal Work From Home policies, the survey revealed interesting patterns in hybrid working arrangements:

• 39% of companies have adopted a light office presence model, requiring only 1-2 days in the office
• 37% have implemented a balanced hybrid approach, with 3-4 office days per week
• 24% still maintain a traditional five-day office schedule

What’s interesting is the impact of these flexible arrangements on productivity. The data shows that 60% of professionals reported improved productivity when working flexibly, while 35% maintained their usual productivity levels. This highlights how flexible working arrangements not only benefit employee satisfaction, but also contribute to enhanced business performance.

Workplace Culture Matters More Than Ever

Workplace culture has emerged as another critical factor in job satisfaction. An overwhelming 75% of respondents rated workplace culture as “very important,” while only 3.7% considered it “not important.” Perhaps most tellingly, 82% of survey participants indicated that improved workplace culture would increase their willingness to return to the office, highlighting the relationship between company culture and workplace arrangements.

Our findings also highlight the evolving expectations of today’s workforce. Most professionals are now looking for:

• Inclusive and supportive work environments
• Strong team connections, whether working remotely or in-office
• Clear company values and purpose
• Recognition and appreciation of their contributions
• Opportunities for social connection and collaboration

Investing in workplace culture is no longer optional. Companies that prioritise building and maintaining a strong culture, even in hybrid working arrangements, are more likely to retain top talent and create an environment where employees choose to be present and engaged.

2. The Role of Flexible Work in Career Decisions

The Hybrid Model is Here to Stay

Our data clearly shows that hybrid working arrangements are not going anywhere. However, it also shows that there’s a significant gap between employee expectations and current workplace policies. Despite the clear preference for flexibility, 66% of respondents reported that their organisations lack a formal Work From Home policy. This disconnect presents a challenge for employers, as the data shows that 71% of respondents consider flexibility important enough to influence their decision to stay with their current organisation.

For organisations looking to implement or refine their hybrid work policies, the data suggests that a balanced approach is key. While the majority of professionals desire flexibility, they also recognise the value of in-person collaboration. The most successful hybrid arrangements appear to be those that offer employees meaningful choice in their working patterns while maintaining opportunities for team connection and collaboration.

Employee Sentiment Around Returning to the Office

The survey also revealed an important insight into the relationship between flexibility and talent retention: 70% of professionals would actively seek more flexible employment if required to return to the office full-time. This sends a clear message: rigid working arrangements risk alienating valuable talent in an increasingly competitive job market and companies could risk losing valuable talent by not adapting to evolving workplace preferences.

3. Use These Insights to Your Advantage

Adapt Your Workplace Policies

With 71% of professionals citing flexibility as their reason for staying with their current employer, organisations must reassess their working arrangements:

• Develop and communicate clear Work From Home policies that balance business needs with employee preferences
• Consider implementing hybrid work arrangements that offer 1-2 days office presence
• Focus on outcomes rather than presence, given that 95% of employees maintain or improve their productivity when working flexibly

Invest in Culture as a Retention Strategy

The survey reveals that workplace culture is a powerful tool for both attraction and retention. Employers should:

• Create meaningful in-office experiences that foster collaboration and team building
• Develop initiatives that strengthen company culture across remote and in-office settings
• Recognise that forcing return-to-office without cultural improvements may accelerate talent loss

Use Market Intelligence in Your Talent Strategy

Make informed decisions about your talent attraction and retention approaches:

• Highlight flexible working arrangements in job advertisements and during interviews
• Showcase workplace culture and employee experience during recruitment processes
• Review your current policies against market expectations
• Consider the cost of losing talent against the perceived benefits of rigid office attendance policies

The 2025 Return to Work Survey clearly demonstrates that the future of work is flexible, culture-centric, and focused on work-life balance. Job seekers are increasingly empowered to demand arrangements that support both their professional growth and personal wellbeing. As the employment landscape continues to evolve, those organisations that adapt to these changing preferences will be best positioned to attract and retain top talent.

Ready to adapt your workplace to meet evolving talent expectations? Our recruitment specialists can help you develop and implement strategies that align with today’s workforce preferences, ensuring you remain competitive in the talent market. Contact Adecco today to discover how we can support your organisation’s growth.