How the pandemic has changed the way workers value work and well-being

According to Microsoft’s Work Trend Index 2022, employees have a changed “worth it” equation — what they want from work and what they’re willing to give in return — since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty-seven percent of employee respondents say they are more likely to prioritize family and personal life over work than they were prior to the pandemic. More than half of employees (53%) are now more likely to put their health and well-being over work.

The Work Trend Index, conducted by Edelman Data x Intelligence, surveyed 31,102 full-time employed or self-employed workers across 31 markets from January to February 2022. The annual report also includes analysis of trillions of productivity signals in Microsoft 365 and labor trends on LinkedIn.

With this re-evaluation of priorities in mind and beyond pay, the survey findings show the top five aspects of work employees rate as “very important” are:

1. Positive culture – 46%
2. Mental health/well-being benefits – 42%
3. Sense of purpose/meaning – 40%
4. Flexible work hours – 38%
5. More than the standard two weeks of paid vacation time per year – 36%