More than two-thirds of employees globally say having a successful career and full life is attainable, according to new research by Accenture.
Even 52 percent of respondents say they have turned down offers because of worries regarding the impact on work-life balance. When it comes to defining career success, work-life balance is the top response at 56 percent, followed by money at 46 percent, recognition at 42 percent and autonomy, also at 42 percent.
"Over the course of their careers, professionals will continue to define and redefine what success looks like," says Adrian Lajtha, chief leadership officer of Accenture. "For many, career goals and personal priorities will take precedence at different times. As today's professionals strive to find the right balance, leading companies will find innovative ways to help them develop, grow and thrive."
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Technology contributes to work-life balance, but respondents are mixed as to whether technology positively impacts their personal lives. Specifically, 77 percent of respondents say technology allows for more flexible schedules, and 80 percent of respondents say flexible work schedules are extremely or very important to work-life balance. Another 70 percent of respondents say technology connects work with their personal lives.
"The fact that finding the right approach to integrating career and life demands continues to be critically important to employees is significant for employers," says Nellie Borrero, managing director of global inclusion and diversity of Accenture. "Companies that can help their employees navigate both their professional and personal lives are likely to see strong employee engagement and enjoy an advantage as they recruit and retain high performers."
Regarding job satisfaction, 53 percent of female respondents and 50 percent of male respondents report being satisfied with their jobs and are not searching for new employment. This is up from 43 percent of female respondents and 41 percent of male respondents in the 2012 survey. Sixty-six percent of female respondents and 74 percent of male respondents have worked for their current employers for at least four years.
The survey also finds that 59 percent of respondents say rewarding employees makes for a good work environment. Other factors include honesty at 54 percent, flexibility at 50 percent and interesting work at 49 percent.
More respondents are also asking for pay raises. While 58 percent of female respondents say they have asked or negotiated for pay raises, 64 percent of male respondents say they have done so. This marks an increase from 49 percent of female respondents and 57 percent of male respondents in 2012.
During paid time off, 75 percent of respondents say they work frequently or occasionally. Some of the tasks they participate in are checking email at 71 percent, catching up on work at 44 percent, working with no distractions at 35 percent and joining conference calls at 30 percent. Meanwhile, 40 percent of respondents say they are workaholics.
Among the reasons respondents leave their jobs are responsibilities that don't match a job description at 38 percent, pay at 38 percent and uninteresting work at 34 percent. If a respondent were to look for another job, 30 percent say they would look at job boards, 24 percent say they would network, and 21 percent say they would update their online profiles and information.
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