Paid overtime, paid sick leave, and a comprehensive health insurance package: these are the top must-have perks in corporate America, especially as return-to-office (RTO) mandates continue to rise.
Global career expert resume.io surveyed 1,000 American employees to discover what benefits are valued the most in corporate America.
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Key findings
● Paid overtime revealed as the most in-demand employee perk in America with 76% of professionals saying that it is a must-have.
● A third of Gen-Z workers argue that a compressed workweek should be a non-negotiable perk, more than any other generation.
● Female professionals prioritize inclusive and supportive benefits such as maternity/paternity leave and DEI training more than their male colleagues who prefer financial benefits such as stock and investment options.
New survey reveals the top office perks Americans demand in 2025
The growth of return-to-office (RTO) mandates in America is becoming more than just a policy conversation, but is reshaping what workers want from their employers.
As companies across the country navigate a shift to hybrid models or full office returns, global career expert resume.io surveyed 1,000 professionals to discover what employee benefits are valued the most in corporate America.
From free parking to performance-based bonuses, the data revealed what employees really want in the workplace – and it’s not just ping pong tables.
Paid overtime revealed as the most desired office perk by Americans
Paid overtime is revealed as the most desired office perk, with more than three-quarters (76%) of Americans stating that it is non-negotiable in the workplace.
This is followed in a close second by paid sick leave, with a staggering 75% of Americans arguing that it is a must for them.
Rounding off the top three as the most desired perks for Americans is a comprehensive health insurance package, with 73% arguing that it is a must.
One in three Gen-Z professionals say a compressed working week is a must-have
Recent research found that 76% of Gen-Z prioritized work/life balance over salary. Therefore, it is unsurprising that one in three (30%) Gen-Z employees argue that having a compressed or four-day working week is a non-negotiable. This compares to only 19% and 13% of Gen-X and Baby Boomers, agreeing.
The data also revealed that almost one in five (18%) of Gen-Z employees argue that fun rooms in the office (game rooms, etc) are a must-have. This compares to only 14% of Millennials and 6% of Gen-X employees.
Nap rooms, however, were found to be desired the most by Millennial employees, with more than one in six (17%) arguing that they’re a must-have in comparison to only 13% of Gen-Z agreeing.
Younger generations were found to have the strongest preference for pet-friendly offices, with one in five (20%) Gen-Z and almost one in six (14%) Millennials considering them to be a must-have perk.
The data found that more than a quarter (27%) of Gen-Z workers argued that support for neurodiverse employees in the office, such as autism friendly workspaces, was a non-negotiable, more than any other age group. Additionally, Gen-Z employees are twice as likely as Gen-X employees (14%) to believe these spaces are a must-have perk.
Women revealed to prioritize diversity, equality, and inclusion training more than men
The data also highlights a growing divide between what male and female professionals prioritize in the workplace.
Men are more likely to seek out financial perks, with almost a third (28%) saying stock and investment options were a must-have, compared to just 22% of women. Similarly, financial planning and counseling are considered essential by 20% of men, compared to only 15% of women.
Meanwhile, women place higher value on support and well-being in the workplace, with 36% saying that comprehensive maternity or paternity leave and related healthcare benefits are non-negotiable compared to 27% of men. Similarly, diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) training is seen as an essential perk by almost a third of female employees (30%) compared to 23% of male employees.
When it comes to mental well-being, 25% of female professionals see support services as an essential perk, slightly higher than the 22% of male employees who agree. Other well-being perks for work/life balance, such as fun rooms in the office and nap rooms, are favored by men with 10% and 11% respectively, arguing them to be a must-have in comparison to only 5% and 7% of women.
The research also found that female employees are less interested than male employees in perks like company cars (14% vs 9%) and free work lunches or snacks (20% vs 14%), implying a trend towards prioritizing long-term, inclusive support over short-term incentives.
According to Amanda Augustine, resident career expert for resume.io and a Certified Professional Career Coach (CPCC), “These findings reveal a clear shift in priorities. Flashy perks and trendy office gimmicks no longer cut it. Today’s employees are asking for tangible, meaningful benefits — ones that reflect the rising cost of living, the need for flexibility, and a growing desire for long-term stability and well-being. As workplaces continue to evolve, the employers who truly listen and adapt their policies, programs, and work environments will be the ones who attract and retain top talent.”
