A new survey shows that less than half of adults now want to work full-time, with men's preference for traditional employment dropping sharply from 77% last year to 62%.
The shift comes as stagnant wages and the appeal of flexible working lead more people to question the conventional nine-to-five routine.
Men turning against corporate life
While women have remained steady in their dislike of corporate life, with only 38% wanting a nine-to-five role, it is men who have increasingly turned against suit life, according to the survey.
This change reflects a broader reassessment of what employment offers. Corporate life no longer provides the same monetary gains, stability, or lifestyle guarantee it once did, and people are noticing.
Flexibility valued over steady pay
For many, the appeal of flexibility has grown stronger than the promise of a regular salary. Parents, in particular, are finding that flexible arrangements help them manage childcare and family responsibilities alongside work.
The New York Times recently highlighted how many people in their thirties feel priced out of traditional milestones such as buying houses or having children, further dimming the allure of full-time employment.
More opportunities to work independently
There has never been more opportunity for people to become self-employed, from financial consulting to teaching English online or freelance work from home.
As the financial incentives of full-time jobs weaken, people are looking beyond the office walls and realising there is more to life than just work.
