The factors that drive employee happiness vary widely by life and career stage, and there often is a disconnect between what employees believe workers want and what they truly desire.

"One of the biggest challenges for employers is often overlooked — employees' lives and values are dynamic, affecting their perception of employer support in health, success and financial wellness," said Faviana Copeland, vice president of growth strategy at OneDigital.

The insurance brokerage, financial services and HR consulting firm released the findings of its 2024 Employee Value Perception Study. Based on responses from more than 2,000 U.S.-based employees, the study shows the value of such factors as direct management, meaningful work and advancement opportunities and how they vary among different employee populations.