Job seekers in the technology sector are actively seeking new employment opportunities - here's what they're after.
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Tech pros worldwide are looking to shake things up, with almost half planning to switch jobs in the next year, according to the 2025 Talent Trends report from Michael Page. The UK tech crowd joins the trend, with nearly half also on the job hunt.
The report dug into various job hunting aspects, such as wellbeing, flexibility, inclusivity, and work-life balance. Not surprisingly, work-life balance emerged as a key driver behind the hunt for new gigs. A whopping 87% of tech pros worldwide peg work-life balance as their top priority when evaluating their current role and future opportunities. In the UK, the number ticked slightly higher at 88%.
Despite the heightened focus on work-life balance, 38% of tech pros globally spend more time at the office than they did last year. Almost half chalked this up to stricter company policies and forced return-to-office (RTO) mandates. Around one-third of UK workers reported the same trend, with 61% mostly tying the shift to changes in company attendance policies.
These findings follow a series of studies indicating a gradual shift towards in-office attendance requirements for workers worldwide. Earlier this year, a study by Hubble found that 64% of leaders at companies with hybrid work policies want their staff back in the office more often. Major tech firms like Dell and Amazon have enforced strict RTO mandates, citing increased productivity among workers when they're in-person rather than remote.
However, the Michael Page report brings attention to a strange disconnect between the perception of remote and in-office working practices. Nearly half of UK tech managers think productivity improves in person, compared to 41% of tech employees who claim they're more productive at home. This disconnect foreshadows a growing need for clarity regarding flexibility and the balance between remote and in-person work.
"Companies that offer flexibility and establish clear policies on working patterns will be best positioned to attract and retain talent in the year ahead," said James Barrett, managing director of technology and transformation at Michael Page. "The disconnect between employer policy and employee preference on where work happens is not just a cultural tension. It is a competitive risk."
Apart from work-life balance, wellbeing has become a key concern for technology professionals. The report found that almost two-thirds of UK tech workers would pass on a promotion if it meant maintaining their wellbeing. Moreover, over one-third of tech pros in the UK don't trust leadership to strike a balance between employee welfare and business goals.
"This mistrust is already having an impact," the company said. "More than one-in-five UK technology workers say they're planning to leave their current role due to leadership decisions." Barrett noted that the intense work culture during the pandemic has had a toll on tech workers, leading them to be more conscious of their wellbeing.
According to Barrett, employers have an opportunity to reset the relationship between them and their employees by building trust, offering true flexibility, and leading with transparency. "Organizations that can attract the right talent and build happy, fulfilled teams will be better positioned for success in the years ahead," he added.
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Additional Insights:
Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for tech professionals. Employers can help alleviate the stress by providing flexible work schedules, clear expectations, supportive leadership, and wellness programs. Addressing the disconnect between employer policies and employee preferences regarding remote and in-person work can lead to increased productivity and employee retention.
- Sources[1] MRI Network Report: The Future of Work 2025[2] LinkedIn 2021 Workforce Report[3] Accenture Research: The New World of Work[4] Deloitte's 2021 Global Human Capital Trends Survey[5] Buffini & Company - The 2021 State of Remote Work
- Tech professionals put a high emphasis on health and wellness, with nearly two-thirds in the UK willing to forego a promotion if it means preserving their wellbeing.
- Employers can improve productivity and employee retention by addressing the disconnect between their policies and employee preferences regarding remote and in-office work.
- In the era of cybersecurity, technology-focused businesses are increasingly prioritizing workplace wellness as a means to attract and retain top talent.
- The 2025 Talent Trends report highlights the growing importance of offering flexible work schedules, clear expectations, supportive leadership, and wellness programs for tech professionals.
