In the Randstad Employer Brand Research 2026, employees in Germany were asked what matters most when they choose an employer. Job security came first, named by 58 percent. A pleasant working atmosphere came second with 54 percent, and work-life balance third with 52 percent. Pay and benefits came fourth with 50 percent. In 2025, pay had still been in first place.
The EY job study of 2025 asked why people had left an employer. The most common reason was pay that was too low, named by 35 percent. Nicole Dietl of EY drew this conclusion: Geld ist ein wichtiger Hebel, ein gutes Gehalt allein motiviert Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter allerdings nicht. Money is an important lever, but a good salary alone does not motivate employees.