Work-life balance drives one in four job moves in Scotland

Over a quarter of Scottish workers (26%) who have left their organisation did so primarily to improve their work-life balance, according to research from the CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development.

The survey of over 1,000 Scottish workers shows that many people find it difficult to balance work with their personal life, with high workloads, long commutes, and limited access to flexible working among the main drivers.

In response, the CIPD is calling for employers in Scotland to support employee wellbeing by ensuring line managers help keep workloads manageable and by adopting more creative approaches to flexible working that go beyond traditional remote or hybrid models. Options such as job sharing, term-time working, and flexible hours can all contribute to supporting a healthier work-life balance.

The CIPD’s research from its Working Lives Scotland, 2025 report found that:

• Nearly half (46%) of Scottish employees with excessive workloads say they struggle to relax during their personal time.
• Four in ten (40%) who say their workloads are too high say they find it difficult to fulfil commitments outside of their job.
• While almost half (49%) of Scottish employees work from home at least some of the time, a third (33%) are in roles that cannot be performed remotely. Over half (56%) of Scottish workers also report having little or no control over when they start and finish work.

Impact of commuting

The research also highlights the potential impact of commuting on work-life balance, showing how it can negatively affect both physical and mental health.

Most Scottish workers (63%) travel to work three or more days per week, with a median daily commute of 40 minutes. But one in ten (10%) spend more than 90 minutes per day commuting, with considerable negative impacts:

• 43% reported that work negatively affects their mental health.
• 39% said they are always or often exhausted.

There is clear unmet demand from Scottish workers for more flexible working options too - as outlined in the report. The top three arrangements employees would like to see offered are:

• 45% of workers would like to work a four-day working week.
• 26% would like to work compressed hours.
• 21% would prefer flexi-time arrangements

Marek Zemanik, senior public policy advisor for the UK nations at the CIPD said: 

“The balance between our working and personal lives is vital to our wellbeing. Yet our research shows that for many employees in Scotland, that boundary is becoming increasingly blurred, making it harder to switch off and relax outside work. Line managers have a vital role to play in ensuring workloads are manageable for employees and that they have access to flexible working options, where possible. 

“Scottish workers have diverse preferences for flexible arrangements – not just home and hybrid options, as reflected in our research. Organisations that are open to these different solutions are more likely to have a productive and engaged workforce; while working people will gain a much better work-life balance. It’s a win-win for everyone.”