Are you working to live or living to work?

Are we working to live, or living to work? It’s a question many of us ask ourselves, whether we’re early in our careers or reassessing the life we’ve built. For employers, it’s an equally relevant consideration. How do your staff view work, and how does that influence what they need from you? With rising living costs, shifting generational priorities and new job market dynamics, the difference between purpose and role has never been more critical. The good news? Both employers and professionals are more aligned than ever on what truly matters - flexibility, balance, and meaningful work.

So where do you land on the spectrum? And how is this reshaping both permanent and temporary job markets?

What does working to live mean?

Working to live is about viewing your job as a means to an end, earning enough money to enjoy life outside of work. People with this mindset typically prioritise personal time, hobbies, travel, family, or simply the freedom to choose how they spend their week.

It’s increasingly common among workers who feel locked out of traditional long-term goals, like property ownership. Instead, they prioritise fun experiences and spending time with loved ones over career advancement.

Pros:

Greater energy for personal interests and well-being
Healthy work-life balance
Easier to detach from workplace stress

Cons:

May feel disengaged if work lacks meaning
Can lead to limited career progression or missed opportunities
Risk of financial pressure if underemployed

What does living to work mean?

For others, work isn’t just a job, it’s a core part of their identity. Living to work often reflects a passion-led mindset, where people gain a strong sense of purpose, pride, and pleasure from their role or profession.

This approach is common among high achievers, entrepreneurs, and professionals in permanent roles who find fulfilment in projects, responsibilities, and team collaboration.

Pros:

High job satisfaction when aligned with personal values
Strong career development and recognition
Deep sense of purpose and contribution

Cons:

Harder to maintain a work-life balance
Can blur the boundaries between job and identity
Risk of burnout, especially when pressure outweighs passion

Passion vs duty

Hays Salary Guide FY25/26 revealed that satisfaction isn’t solely dictated by salary. Some individuals earning over $250K still feel underpaid, while others earning under $50K feel fulfilled. What people truly want is flexibility, a positive work atmosphere, and time. That’s where hybrid work, job-sharing, and even contracting roles come in - offering freedom without sacrificing your progression.

The pressure to act responsibly and pay the bills often collides with the hope of following your passion. But it doesn’t have to be either/or.

Sometimes, responsibility requires short-term trade-offs. Other times, it means discovering a path that lets passion fund itself over time. Whether you’re considering temporary projects to develop new skills or exploring a more permanent role to build stability, it’s worth reflecting on what matters most in your life today.

How to find your happy medium

Striking the right balance between your job and your personal life isn’t just about clocking off on time, it’s about ensuring your career supports - rather than overshadows - your well-being, passions and relationships. For many professionals, this means having enough money and time to enjoy life beyond the office.

Whether you're working to live, living to work, or somewhere in between, here are some practical ways to find your happy medium:

1. Define what balance means to you

Balance is personal. It might be about spending more time with family, making room for hobbies, prioritising mental health, or simply reducing stress during the week. Before you can achieve balance, you need to understand what you're aiming for.

Ask yourself: Do I want more time, more freedom, more meaning, or more structure?

2. Set clear boundaries between personal time and work

Without defined limits, work can creep into your evenings, weekends, and mental space. Especially with hybrid or remote work, it's essential to draw a line between “on” and “off.”

Set working hours and stick to them
Turn off notifications outside of work
Use a separate device or workspace if possible

3. Make flexibility a priority, not a perk

As highlighted in Hays Salary Guide FY25/26, flexibility is the top priority across all genders and age groups in Australia and New Zealand. Whether it’s compressed hours, job sharing, or part-time roles, flexible arrangements let professionals fit work into their lives, not around it.

Employers: Offer structured flexibility to support performance and retention
Jobseekers: Look for roles that advertise genuine flexibility, not just remote options

4. Match your work with your energy levels

Balance isn’t just about time, it’s also about energy. Aligning your schedule with your natural rhythms can help you work smarter, not harder.

Tackle deep-focus projects when your energy is highest (often morning)
Reserve admin tasks for lower-energy times
Don’t overbook yourself: downtime is productive, too

5. Regularly check in with yourself (and your team)

Balance isn’t static. Your ideal work-life ratio can shift based on life changes, stress levels, or evolving career goals. Build a habit of reflection and honest conversations.

Are you feeling fulfilled, or just busy?
Are your team’s needs and priorities evolving?
What adjustments can be made to support motivation and happiness?

6. Design your job around your life

This might mean exploring contract work, portfolio careers, or temporary roles that give you greater control over your schedule. It could also mean negotiating responsibilities or seeking internal mobility to align better with your interests and strengths.

The third space approach

As hybrid models become the norm, the idea of a third workplace has become increasingly popular. A third space refers to a place that exists outside the home (the first space) and the traditional office (the second space). It’s a flexible environment where people can work, connect, or recharge, often blending aspects of both professional and personal life.

Examples of third spaces include:

Coworking hubs
Libraries
Cafés
Community centres
Innovation labs
Purpose-built third space offices

These environments are gaining traction as more professionals seek variety in where and how they work. For many, third spaces offer the focus of an office without the formality, and the freedom of home without the distractions. They also help combat isolation - particularly for remote or hybrid workers - by offering a change of scenery and opportunities for casual interaction.

As the way we approach work continues to evolve, embracing the third workplace can be a strategic move for both productivity and wellbeing.

Benefits that actually matter

For employers, understanding this shift is crucial to retaining top talent. Don’t assume your team all share the same mindset about work. Some may seek fulfilment, others freedom, but almost everyone wants:

Flexibility and balance
A positive work environment
Learning and development opportunities

In fact, our survey recorded 25 different salary benefits, but only two were valued by more than 20 per cent of respondents: flexible working (58%) and additional vacation days (45%). The takeaway? Offering a wide list of perks isn’t enough. Employees want the benefits that truly support their lifestyle and personal priorities, like more time and space to live well.

It’s just as important for employees to reflect on their own values. Are you chasing purpose, security, enjoyment, or all of the above? The right job can fuel your passions and support your life outside of work.

Whether you’re discovering your path or hiring for your team, remember that work is just one part of a bigger picture. Need help finding that balance? Explore temporary or permanent roles that suit your goals with Hays. Let’s figure out what works for you.

Download Hays Salary Guide FY25/26