Survey Shows Workers Value Money Over Time

 According to a recent survey by Accounting Principals, cash comes first for working Americans, with a whopping 79 percent saying they would prefer a 5 percent raise instead of an extra week of vacation (20 percent). The Time Versus Money survey polled more than 1,000 working adults to understand working Americans’ attitudes on compensation in the workplace related to salary, time off, benefits, and perks.

Key findings include:

Most Americans value money more than time

• Before accepting a job, Americans are most likely to negotiate on salary (30 percent) compared to a flexible schedule (15 percent) or additional time off (10 percent).

• The vast majority of Americans (85 percent) would not forfeit any of their salary for their workday to be shortened by one hour every day; 50 percent wouldn’t do this because they cannot afford it while 35 percent simply are not interested.

• 77 percent of workers are also unwilling to forfeit any of their salary for their workweek to be shortened by one day.

Work-life balance is important, especially spending time with family

• Both men and women agreed that spending time with family is priority, although the two genders spend their free time differently

• More than seven in 10 (74 percent) Americans anticipate working the same as they did in 2013.

• 48 percent of Americans are most likely to spend time off with their family (48 percent) or run errands (45 percent) if they were given an extra hour each day.

Making everyday activities more accessible could be a way to attract top talent

• Americans are most likely to want a gym (28 percent) at their workplace when considering perks that would help them save time, followed by an onsite cafeteria (13 percent) and onsite doctor or health services (10 percent).

• Nearly 6 in 10 Millennials (56 percent) would take a nap during the workday compared with 47 percent of Gen X and 44 percent of Boomers.