For developers we surveyed at Gartner the answer was definitive - work life balance, culture and values significantly outrank “Higher compensation” when considering accepting a job offer.

Survey results

For organizations mandating a return-to-office policy, this data serves as a crucial reminder. Companies that fail to offer flexibility may risk losing their most talented team members to competitors who provide a more balanced work-life experience.

As a software engineering leader: advocate for policies that align with these evolving preferences, ensuring your team remains motivated and committed to achieving strategic goals.

Source: Gartner Developer Experience Assessment Survey, n=1,000.