The CPL report found that these days, salary may no longer be a major concern for professionals.
Dublin-headquartered HR firm CPL has published the results of a recent survey in which it found that currently, employees are being rewarded. senior leadership almost as much as they value compensation.
The organization spoke to 1,600 different men and women, collecting data through mid-2025, to create a comprehensive picture of the preferences and attitudes of professionals.
CPL’s Salary Guide for Ireland 2026 found that while compensation and benefits continue to be top of mind for 35pc of employers, 24pc of professionals say leadership and culture are the most important factors to consider when choosing an employer.
Breaking down the factors that make up the leadership and culture category, employees were found to particularly value culture, values and ethics (27pc), the workplace (25pc) and leadership behaviors (24pc). The report said: “CPL’s findings confirm that the quality of leadership remains a critical cause of employee burnout.”
Burgeoning benefits
Among the benefits of critical importance to professionals, the CPL study found that flexible working has evolved from a benefit to an important part of employee packages. After financial income, flexibility was ranked as the second most important benefit at 26pc.
Research has shown that 70% of participating workers now use some form of flexible working, CPL notes that previous studies indicate that one in four people will not pursue a career opportunity if they do not have the opportunity for flexible work.
A healthy work-life balance is also important to professionals, with 40pc saying it is the most important experience. 21pc noted important and motivating work contributes to their overall happiness. The report said that although it has not overtaken compensation in importance, “work-life balance, when considered alongside flexible working, represents a key pillar of any successful talent strategy”.
The CPL study also showed that there is an inbound ‘labour turnover’ of sorts, caused by the limited growth of the company. The report noted that in Ireland, a country that experienced near-record incorporations by 2025, growth and employment have stagnated.
It said: “This growth reflects layoffs and permanent slowdown hiring experienced professionalsleading many to establish their own businesses providing specialized services across technology, life sciences and financial services.
“This trend reflects a structural shift to self-employment, less leadership and potential workforce models, which give organizations access to critical technology at greater cost and workforce flexibility.”
Seeking organizational stability and more career paths are also important factors, the report revealed, noting that workers want organized companies. Organizational stability and growth was ranked as important by 34pc of contributors, followed by organizational structure at 22pc, and mission and purpose at 17pc.
Notably, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability ranked lower, at 5pc, suggesting that organizations should strengthen their position as profit-making organisations.
CPL said: “Investment in upskilling, reskilling and internal mobility is accelerating as skills shortages make external recruitment more expensive and competitive.
“Employees expect tangible career progression, and organizations need a strong workforce to cope with economic and technological change. Those who create clear career paths and invest in learning reduce long-term recruitment pressure while retaining key skills.”
Commenting on the report, Lorna Conn, CEO of CPL, said: “The Irish labor market is facing a period of dynamic change.” While economic and technological pressures continue to reshape the way organizations operate, one fundamental truth remains constant: talent is a key differentiator of growth.
“This salary guide sits at the intersection of pay, skills, flexibility and leadership, drawing on insights from CPL’s Future of Work Institute, Ireland’s talent trends for 2026 and our latest analysis of the impact of AI on the workforce.”
Looking ahead, the report finds that the Irish talent market of 2026 will continue to reward organizations that take a holistic, long-term approach to workforce knowledge.
It said that while “not all organizations can compete on salary alone, those that balance compensation and benefits, career development, innovation, flexible working, and skills development are in the best position to attract and retain top talent”.
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