What do you care most about when choosing a job?
According to a recent study by human resources firm Randstad, Malaysians place the highest importance on salary and benefits — yet it’s also the area they feel their current employers fall short in.
Salary dissatisfaction driving job moves
The 2025 Employer Brand Research report found that while pay and perks consistently top the list of priorities when selecting an ideal employer, the same factor drops to eighth place when workers rate their existing workplace.
This points to a growing disconnect between employee expectations and workplace reality.
As living costs continue to climb and the job market evolves, many Malaysians are increasingly motivated to seek better-paying roles.
Low satisfaction with salary and limited career growth are the leading reasons for declining employee engagement, with those feeling disengaged 23% more likely to consider switching jobs.
More than just money
Randstad Malaysia’s country director Fahad Naeem noted that this widening gap in salary expectations is pushing more workers to explore new opportunities.
While salary is a key factor, the study also shows that flexibility, work-life balance, and manageable workloads play a major role in keeping employees engaged.
Interestingly, although employees still value office locations that shorten commuting time, flexible work arrangements now rank higher than location when choosing an ideal job.
