According to 84 percent of 1,200 U.S. adults age 18 and older who participated in a new poll from the Washington, D.C.-based Center for State & Local Government Excellence, health insurance is the most important factor in choosing a job. (Reported by SHRM.)

Check out where pay lands - 10th! (You’ve heard this from me many times. Compensation has only been the primary reason someone chooses a job in one survey that I’ve seen over the last 5 years. Effective leaders engage employees based on results and relationship, not strictly rewards.

The rankings were:

• Health insurance plan, 84 percent.
• Job security, 82 percent.
• Environment with clear policies and procedures, 82 percent.
• Retirement or pension plan, 76 percent.
• Flexible, family-friendly workplace, 71 percent.
• Getting quick decisions on work issues, 69 percent.
• Working with talented managers, 68 percent.
• Potential for promotions, 66 percent.
• Being creative and intellectually stimulated, 66 percent.
• Amount of total compensation, 65 percent.
• Making a contribution to society, 64 percent.
• Reasonable work commute, 63 percent.
• Having independence and personal autonomy, 57 percent.
• Working with others from diverse backgrounds, 50 percent.
• Amount of vacation time, 46 percent.