Close to home: 48% of male executives ask for less travel during job offer negotiations

55% of 402 Male Senior Executives Less Willing to Take Position Involving Heavy Travel; Work-Life Balance No Longer ìWomanís Issueî

A new survey of 402 male senior executives conducted by the Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC) reveals that work-life balance is important to both men and women. From 11-27 January 2007, the AESC conducted an online survey of 477 senior executives (25% from EMEA) about negotiating travel requirements when considering a new job offer. Respondents to the survey are members of BlueSteps.com, the career management service of the AESC.

Of the male respondents, 48 percent say they now ask for less travel during their job negotiations. The 75 female respondents posted a higher response rate, with 77 percent also negotiating for less travel. The survey asked respondents to compare their present views to those of five years ago. Full results of the work-life balance/travel survey revealed:

1. Compared to five years ago, are you more or less willing to take a new job that requires heavy business travel?

Less Willing
Men (402) ñ 55%
Women (75) ñ 77%

More Willing
Men ñ 14%
Women ñ 5%

No Difference
Men ñ 31%
Women ñ 17%

2. Compared to five years ago, if you were presented with a new job opportunity that required travel, are you more or less likely to negotiate and ask for less travel?

Less Likely
Men (402) ñ 13%
Women (75) ñ 9%

More Likely
Men ñ 48% (39% from EMEA)
Women ñ 67%

No Difference
Men ñ 39%
Women ñ 24%

In addition, 85 percent of the men said that achieving work-life balance is more important than ever before. Yet, 53 percent of men said their companies do not offer programs to help employees achieve better work-life balance. One half of the male respondents were between the ages of 45-54.

ìExecutive search consultants tell us that many company hiring managers still express surprise when a male candidate asks for less travel during job negotiations. Many, unfortunately, expect only women to ask for this. Given the global talent shortage that is only expected to worsen, the companies that understand that work-life balance is a human issue ñ not a gender issue ñ will be more successful in attracting and retaining top talent,î stated AESC President Peter Felix.