Four-day workweek and competitive salary tied as top job-ad green flags

Some 51% of workers have ruled out a role over its office or hours demands.

About two in three workers would accept a pay cut for a four-day week, fully remote work, or complete control over their hours, according to Deel’s research.

The index found that a four-day week ranked alongside a competitive salary as a top job-advert green flag, with both cited by 65% of respondents.

Workplace flexibility is increasingly influencing job decisions, with 51% saying they had ruled out a role before applying because of its office or working-hour requirements.

Despite this, 72% still work in the office five days a week, although only 10% prefer that arrangement. Meanwhile, 41% would leave their current job within a year for greater flexibility at similar pay.

Priorities vary by generation. Some 86% of millennials value a four-day week, whilst 72% see no contact outside working hours as a job-advert green flag.

Amongst Gen Z, 63% favour a well-known company and 51% prefer a fast-paced environment. More than half (56%) of Gen Z would leave their job within a year for greater flexibility at similar pay, compared with 27% of millennials.

Deel said rigid working arrangements are also affecting workers’ personal lives. Over the past year, 61% said work schedules or heavy workloads had disrupted personal plans, whilst 33% had cancelled plans with partners or friends.

A further 14% said work had ended or seriously strained a relationship, and the same proportion had delayed a major life decision, such as marriage, having children or studying overseas.

Technology and financial services workers reported greater impacts. In technology, 78% had experienced disrupted personal plans, and 26% said work had ended or seriously strained a relationship.

In financial services, 70% reported disrupted plans, while 30% said a partner’s frequent late working hours and cancelled plans would be a dealbreaker.

The report, Hong Kong’s Green Flags at Work Index 2026, surveyed 500-white collar working adults.