Three out of four private sector employees said they would opt for more challenging work and increased responsibility over a bigger salary when considering a promotion, according to research by online recruiter reed.co.uk.

The results, based on the answers of over 3700 UK workers, illustrates just how important “jobfilment” or job satisfaction through challenging work is to the UK workforce say the survey’s authors.

However, public sector employees were least likely to place increased responsibilities as a priority when going for a promotion. In fact, they were more likely to place greater emphasis on increased salary, with more than one in five putting higher pay as their main aim.

In manufacturing, just one in 10 people considered salary their chief concern. With the national average standing at 17%, this makes manufacturing-based workers the least financially driven staff. In distribution, 81% of workers were most likely to put responsibilities top of their wish list.

Dan Ferrandino, managing director of reed.co.uk, said: “People seem to be shifting their emphasis from gaining the best work/life balance towards gaining a fuller life through work. The idea that people only want more money from a promotion is no longer valid. Increased responsibilities now seem to be the main desire when seeking a promotion."

“While people probably still expect a pay rise when they gain promotion, now they want much more. Employers who want to retain valuable staff need to continually offer more challenges rather than just extra cash.”