Towards a 'Self-Directed' Way of Working: Survey of 300 People. Approximately 40% Interested in Flexible Employment
A survey conducted by NEXER Inc. and Ai Jewel Planning among 300 individuals revealed that while about 65% are satisfied with their current work arrangements, around 35% prioritize salary when choosing a job. Additionally, approximately 40% expressed interest in flexible employment options such as temporary staffing or part-time work.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 28, 2026 at 19:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 10:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 15:15 (4h 43m after Collected)
■ In an era of diversifying work styles, what are the criteria for choosing a job?
In recent years, with the spread of remote work and the introduction of flextime systems, the options for work styles have increased. However, the answers to the questions "What do you prioritize when choosing a job?" and "Are you satisfied with your current work style?" vary from person to person.
In today's society, where the term work-life balance has become widespread, what do working people actually value?
Therefore, in collaboration with Ai Jewel Planning, a human resources service specializing in jewelry sales jobs, we conducted a survey on "Diversification of Work Styles and Ideal Jobs" targeting 300 men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "are currently working or wish to be employed."
*When quoting the contents of this press release, please take the following actions:
- State that the source is "a survey by NEXER Inc. and Ai Jewel Planning."
- Include a link to Ai Jewel Planning (https://aijewel.co.jp/).
"Survey on Diversification of Work Styles and Ideal Jobs" Overview
- Survey method: Online questionnaire
- Survey period: March 24, 2026 - March 31, 2026
- Target audience: Men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "are currently working or wish to be employed."
- Valid responses: 300 samples
- Questions:
- Question 1: Are you satisfied with your current work style?
- Question 2: Please tell us the reason.
- Question 3: What do you prioritize most when choosing a job?
- Question 4: Please tell us the reason.
- Question 5: Do you feel that there are things you wish were different about your work style?
- Question 6: What specifically are those points?
- Question 7: Are you interested in "flexible work styles" such as dispatch, part-time, or temporary work?
- Question 8: Please tell us the reason.
*As a rule, numbers are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not always be 100%.
■ 64.7% responded "satisfied" with their current work style
First, we asked 264 people who are currently working if they are satisfied with their current work style.
The result showed that 20.8% were "very satisfied" and 43.9% were "somewhat satisfied," totaling 64.7% of people satisfied with their current work style.
On the other hand, 23.9% were "not very satisfied" and 11.4% were "not satisfied at all," revealing that about one-third of people have some kind of dissatisfaction.
Here are some of the reasons for their answers:
Reasons for satisfaction
- Can choose working hours and days. (Female, 30s)
- The workplace is within 30 minutes, and the job content suits me. (Male, 30s)
- Good work-life balance. (Male, 40s)
- I'm independent and only work from home. I can earn money doing only what I want to do. (Male, 40s)
- As a freelancer, I have some fixed work and some work I can decide on my own, so I have a good work-life balance. (Female, 50s)
Reasons for dissatisfaction
- Working hours are at an illegal level. (Male, 30s)
- Too much overtime and holiday work, making it difficult to balance private life and housework. (Male, 30s)
- My current work style is freelance, and the unstable income causes a lot of stress. (Female, 30s)
- Too much overtime and low salary. (Male, 40s)
- Tough, dirty, smelly, hot, plus a 3-hour round trip commute. (Male, 50s)
Among those who were satisfied, comments like "I can work at my own pace" and "I have a good work-life balance" were prominent. It suggests that a high degree of freedom in working hours and location significantly influences satisfaction.
On the other hand, those who were dissatisfied voiced serious concerns such as long working hours, income issues, and commuting burden. It appears that working conditions not matching their preferences are a major factor in their dissatisfaction.
■ 35.0% prioritize "salary" most when choosing a job
Next, we asked everyone what they prioritize most when choosing a job.
The most common answer was "salary" at 35.0%.
This was followed by "workplace" at 14.7% and "working hours" at 14.3%.
More than 60% of respondents prioritize "working conditions" such as salary, workplace, and working hours.
Here are some of the reasons for their answers:
Those who answered "salary"
- It makes life easier. (Male, 20s)
- It's related to daily life. (Male, 30s)
- You can't do anything without money. (Male, 40s)
Those who answered "workplace"
- Working from home is an absolute condition. (Female, 20s)
- Just being far away
In recent years, with the spread of remote work and the introduction of flextime systems, the options for work styles have increased. However, the answers to the questions "What do you prioritize when choosing a job?" and "Are you satisfied with your current work style?" vary from person to person.
In today's society, where the term work-life balance has become widespread, what do working people actually value?
Therefore, in collaboration with Ai Jewel Planning, a human resources service specializing in jewelry sales jobs, we conducted a survey on "Diversification of Work Styles and Ideal Jobs" targeting 300 men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "are currently working or wish to be employed."
*When quoting the contents of this press release, please take the following actions:
- State that the source is "a survey by NEXER Inc. and Ai Jewel Planning."
- Include a link to Ai Jewel Planning (https://aijewel.co.jp/).
"Survey on Diversification of Work Styles and Ideal Jobs" Overview
- Survey method: Online questionnaire
- Survey period: March 24, 2026 - March 31, 2026
- Target audience: Men and women nationwide who responded in a preliminary survey that they "are currently working or wish to be employed."
- Valid responses: 300 samples
- Questions:
- Question 1: Are you satisfied with your current work style?
- Question 2: Please tell us the reason.
- Question 3: What do you prioritize most when choosing a job?
- Question 4: Please tell us the reason.
- Question 5: Do you feel that there are things you wish were different about your work style?
- Question 6: What specifically are those points?
- Question 7: Are you interested in "flexible work styles" such as dispatch, part-time, or temporary work?
- Question 8: Please tell us the reason.
*As a rule, numbers are rounded to the second decimal place, so the total may not always be 100%.
■ 64.7% responded "satisfied" with their current work style
First, we asked 264 people who are currently working if they are satisfied with their current work style.
The result showed that 20.8% were "very satisfied" and 43.9% were "somewhat satisfied," totaling 64.7% of people satisfied with their current work style.
On the other hand, 23.9% were "not very satisfied" and 11.4% were "not satisfied at all," revealing that about one-third of people have some kind of dissatisfaction.
Here are some of the reasons for their answers:
Reasons for satisfaction
- Can choose working hours and days. (Female, 30s)
- The workplace is within 30 minutes, and the job content suits me. (Male, 30s)
- Good work-life balance. (Male, 40s)
- I'm independent and only work from home. I can earn money doing only what I want to do. (Male, 40s)
- As a freelancer, I have some fixed work and some work I can decide on my own, so I have a good work-life balance. (Female, 50s)
Reasons for dissatisfaction
- Working hours are at an illegal level. (Male, 30s)
- Too much overtime and holiday work, making it difficult to balance private life and housework. (Male, 30s)
- My current work style is freelance, and the unstable income causes a lot of stress. (Female, 30s)
- Too much overtime and low salary. (Male, 40s)
- Tough, dirty, smelly, hot, plus a 3-hour round trip commute. (Male, 50s)
Among those who were satisfied, comments like "I can work at my own pace" and "I have a good work-life balance" were prominent. It suggests that a high degree of freedom in working hours and location significantly influences satisfaction.
On the other hand, those who were dissatisfied voiced serious concerns such as long working hours, income issues, and commuting burden. It appears that working conditions not matching their preferences are a major factor in their dissatisfaction.
■ 35.0% prioritize "salary" most when choosing a job
Next, we asked everyone what they prioritize most when choosing a job.
The most common answer was "salary" at 35.0%.
This was followed by "workplace" at 14.7% and "working hours" at 14.3%.
More than 60% of respondents prioritize "working conditions" such as salary, workplace, and working hours.
Here are some of the reasons for their answers:
Those who answered "salary"
- It makes life easier. (Male, 20s)
- It's related to daily life. (Male, 30s)
- You can't do anything without money. (Male, 40s)
Those who answered "workplace"
- Working from home is an absolute condition. (Female, 20s)
- Just being far away