"More Popular Than the Four-Day Workweek"... What Corporate Benefits Do Generation Z Prefer?

More Than Half of Job Seekers Prioritize Monetary Compensation
Mandatory Attendance at Workshops and Sports Days Seen as Worst Welfare Policy

More than 9 out of 10 Generation Z job seekers consider a company's welfare programs as a key criterion when applying for jobs. In particular, the most preferred benefit is "performance bonuses," highlighting a tendency to value additional monetary compensation beyond basic salary.

According to a survey on the "Importance of Welfare Programs" conducted by the recruitment platform Jinhaksa Catch on August 23, 2025, targeting 1,530 Generation Z job seekers, 51% of respondents selected monetary compensation as their most preferred type of benefit. This was followed by ▲work environment and culture (20%), ▲leave policies (18%), ▲living support (6%), ▲growth support (3%), and ▲health and psychological welfare (2%).

In more detailed categories, performance bonuses ranked highest at 41%, followed by ▲four-day workweeks (19%) and ▲unlimited paid leave (14%). Other preferred benefits included ▲summer and winter vacations (7%), ▲living expense support (6%), ▲remote or flexible work (5%), ▲meal provision (4%), and ▲dormitory or company housing (4%). This indicates that Generation Z values rational rewards based on performance and a flexible work culture, rather than simply stable working conditions.

On the other hand, the "worst welfare programs" were mandatory attendance events such as sports days or workshops, cited by 37% of respondents. This was followed by ▲promoting basic working conditions such as five-day workweeks or the four major insurances as welfare benefits (22%), ▲meetings or events held after work hours (18%), ▲low-utility minor benefits (10%), ▲benefits limited to certain groups (7%), and ▲undesired goods or low-cost souvenirs (6%), all of which received negative feedback.

As for new welfare programs they would like to see introduced, "support for single or unmarried employees" was the most desired at 31%. This was followed by ▲health management services such as personal training or massage (25%), ▲career and self-development programs such as job rotation or education support (18%), ▲enhanced work-life balance (17%), ▲unique experiences or events (4%), and ▲pet care (4%).

This reflects a desire to have one's personal life respected regardless of marital status, as well as an interest in investing in health and self-development.

A representative from Jinhaksa Catch stated, "For Generation Z, welfare is not just an additional benefit but a core standard that determines whether they apply for a job," adding, "Companies need to assess whether their welfare programs are truly felt by employees and whether they sufficiently reflect the needs of each generation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.