Every second Swiss woman would change her job for more pay
Xing's 2025 study on willingness to change jobs shows that for 52 percent of the women surveyed, better pay would be the main reason for looking for a new job. Factors such as management style, stress or the desire for variety also play a role.
In the study conducted by the opinion research institute Forsa, over 500 employed women in German-speaking Switzerland were asked about their job satisfaction and willingness to change jobs. Overall, women are similarly satisfied with their job as men (85 percent vs. 84 percent). Nevertheless, 37 percent of women think about changing jobs several times a month. While 45 percent are open to the idea but have not yet taken any concrete steps, 12 percent are actively planning a change.
Same satisfaction, but structural disadvantages
Although the Swiss labor market is stable and the fear of losing their job has decreased (14% of women fear losing their job, compared to 25% in 2024), structural challenges remain. Women are three times more likely to work part-time than men - often due to unpaid care work. They also earn less on average than their male colleagues in the private sector.
Higher salary and stability as the most important criteria
When choosing a new employer, women primarily focus on financial security and long-term stability: 59% want a higher salary, 58% value a secure job. Flexible working hours (54%) and good accessibility of the company location (54%) are also key criteria. Whether the job involves working weekends or night shifts also plays a role for many.
Hurdles to changing jobs and attractive benefits
Despite better pay, there are factors that deter women from applying. Particular deterrents are an unfavorable company location (52 percent), a poor management culture (46 percent) and fixed-term contracts (34 percent). Remote work, on the other hand, is less decisive for women than for men (12 percent vs. 24 percent).
The most attractive benefit for both genders is the four-day week (52%). Women also value transparent salary structures (36%) and job-sharing models (19%), while men are more interested in workation (32% vs. 20%). The option of working from home, on the other hand, is not a decisive criterion for most.
"Women in particular need conditions such as flexible working models so that they don't get caught between work and family," says Petra von Strombeck, CEO of New Work. Companies that create corresponding offers could become more attractive as a result.
