A new report has found that 87% of UK charity professionals would accept a lower-paying job in exchange for improved work-life balance and flexibility.
The findings come from the Expectations and Values at Work: A Generational View 2026 report by CharityJob, the UK’s largest specialist job board for the charity sector. The research is based on a survey of more than 2,800 charity professionals and highlights a shift towards prioritising well-being, flexibility, and workplace culture over salary.
CharityJob founder Raya Wexler said: “We decided to commission this research because we’ve seen a clear shift in candidate expectations over the past few years. Since the pandemic, and particularly during the cost-of-living crisis, professionals are reassessing what they want from work. Salary still matters, but it’s no longer the deciding factor.”
“Across the charity sector, and increasingly across the wider workforce, we’re seeing flexibility, well-being and workplace culture become central to career decisions. This report gives employers clear evidence of how priorities are changing.”
The report found that 87% would consider accepting a lower-paying job if it offered better work-life balance and flexibility. Meanwhile, 84% said they would be likely to leave a high-paying job if it consistently harmed their well-being. Burnout remains widespread, with 78% saying they feel burned out at least sometimes at work and 37% reporting that they feel burned out often or always. Despite the strong demand for flexibility, 33% still rank job security as the single most important factor when choosing a role.
Hybrid and remote working are now seen as standard expectations rather than added benefits. The survey shows that 78% say remote or hybrid flexibility is important in their ideal workplace, while 72% say remote or hybrid working options are among the top factors that would make them stay with an employer. Nearly 60% expect access to flexible working within their first month in a new role.
A respectful and inclusive workplace is also highly valued, with 72% saying it is one of the most important factors when applying for a job. The report warns that employers who reduce flexibility risk losing talent in a competitive labour market.
Burnout affects workers across age groups, with Millennials most likely to report feeling burned out often or always.
Gen Z respondents placed strong emphasis on purpose and social impact. However, they were also the most likely to consider compromising on personal values for higher pay, which the report suggests may reflect financial pressures and competition in the entry-level job market. They were also the most likely to say there is too much competition for available roles.
Despite these differences, the research identifies broad agreement across generations that flexibility, well-being, and positive workplace culture are central to job satisfaction.
Raya Wexler added: “The idea that salary alone attracts and retains talent no longer holds true. What we’re seeing is a workforce that’s reassessing priorities. Flexibility, well-being and respectful cultures are no longer optional extras, they’re baseline expectations.”
“For employers, in the charity sector and beyond, this is both a challenge and an opportunity. Organisations that embed flexibility and genuinely support well-being will have a competitive edge in a tight labour market.”