Job Seekers Want Short Workweeks, Pets, and Nap Rooms

Turns out job seekers in 2025 aren’t just asking for competitive salaries… or beanbag chairs and unlimited LaCroix.

A new survey from Resume.io reveals what today’s workforce considers non-negotiable benefits, and at the top of the list? Cold, hard financial security.

Topping the workplace must-haves:

• Paid overtime (76%)
• Paid sick leave (75%)
• Comprehensive health insurance (73%)
• 401(k) retirement plans (67%)
• Dental coverage (59%)

In other words, if you want to hire great people, you better be ready to pony up for the basics.

But there’s a gender divide when it comes to the finer details. Male professionals are prioritizing wealth-building perks: 28% say stock options are essential, and 20% want financial planning services included. Meanwhile, women are more focused on benefits that support inclusivity and family life. Over a third (36%) say maternity/paternity leave is a must, and 30% list DEI programs as essential… compared to just 27% and 23% of men, respectively.

And then there’s Gen Z and Millennials, coming in hot with the vibe check.

Gen Z’s demands include:

• Four-day workweeks (30%)
• “Fun rooms” with ping-pong and games (18%)
• Pet-friendly offices (20%)

Millennials? They just want a nap. Literally—17% of them say “nap rooms” are necessary.

While some of these perks might sound a little over the top, they reflect a real shift in work culture. Flexibility, mental health, and purpose-driven policies are quickly becoming as critical as pay and healthcare. Employers hoping to stay competitive might need to rethink what their benefit packages say about their company’s values.

Or, maybe they just hire A.I. to replace you, until it starts demanding gym memberships, trampolines, and adult ball pits.