At the same time, work-life balance has overtaken salary and job security as the main reason for staying in their current role.
Data from the research show that one third of the Romanian employees report increasing or planning to increase their working hours in their current role — up from one in five employees in 2025. These findings signal a more cautious workforce focused on income stability and personal well-being over professional mobility, Randstad says.
“In a context marked by economic uncertainty and rising living costs, Romanian talent has become increasingly pragmatic — actively navigating their own career paths and seeking greater control over their professional future. This shift is creating a clear tension in today’s workplace: while employers acknowledge that autonomy drives performance, many still struggle to operationalize it in practice,” says Dagmara Chudzińska-Matysiak, Managing Director, Randstad Romania.
The survey also shows the traditional career ladder is being replaced by “portfolio career”, where employees move across sectors and roles throughout their professional life. About 37% say that they want such a career path, while 42% prefer a traditional linear career path.
Flexibility remains a decisive factor for Romanians: 40% would not accept a new job without location flexibility, 42% would refuse a role without working-hours flexibility.
Artificial intelligence’s influence on the working environment is growing. Half of employees turn to AI for professional advice, and two thirds of employees want greater investment in AI skills development from their employers.
“In an environment where half of employees turn to AI for professional advice, leadership models must evolve to remain relevant and credible,” Dagmara Chudzińska-Matysiak says.
Demand for AI skills continues to rise, Randstad says, and AI-related job postings have surged dramatically, with vacancies requiring specific skills rising by more than 1,500%.
The Randstad Workmonitor 2026 survey was conducted on 35 markets, among more than 27,000 employees and more than 1,200 employers throughout the world. The Romanian edition was conducted online among 500 employees aged 18 to 67.
(English version by Loredana Fratila-Cristescu)