Workspan Daily News Bytes for Dec. 12, 2025

Better Benefits Package Is a Primary Pursuit of Many Job Seekers

Nearly half (49%) of U.S. job seekers selected “better benefits” as an attribute they were looking for in a new job, the most common motivator after “higher pay,” according to a 2025 Workforce Insights Survey by job site Indeed.

The most reported popular benefits included:

Health insurance
Paid vacation
Paid sick days
Schedule and location flexibility
Supplemental pay (e.g., retirement and incentive programs)

Even though health insurance and paid time off ranked high across generations, interest in these benefits also tended to rise with age. For instance, vacation days garnered interest from 51% of surveyed workers aged 18 to 24, rising across the age spectrum to 72% of those aged 55 to 64. Similar patterns also were evident for sick days, health and dental insurance, and different forms of supplementary pay.

Retirement savings programs had a particularly steep age gradient, with 35% of respondents under 25 indicating interest, compared to 59% among those 55 to 64. Overall, these “classic” benefits are popular across the board, but particularly among workers middle-aged and older, who tend to be substantially less interested in other offerings. Meanwhile, younger workers were often interested in a wider variety of offerings, including free or discounted food, education and childcare assistance, and parental leave.

Workers Also Have a Strong Desire for Workplace Flexibility

Flexibility appears to be a main theme for the workplace as employers head into the new year. According to FlexJobs’ 2026 Remote Work Trends Report, 85% of surveyed workers said remote work now matters more than salary when evaluating a job.

The career website’s report found remote and hybrid work remain the most sought-after arrangements, and demand has stayed strong throughout 2025.

When workers were asked about their ideal work arrangement, they responded with:

Remote only (58%)
Hybrid (40%)
In-office (2%)

FlexJobs’ research also showed remote and hybrid options carry significant weight in career decisions, often more than salary or traditional benefits.

According to past findings:

76% of surveyed workers said they would look for a new job if remote work were eliminated because of return-to-office (RTO) mandates.
69% reported they would accept a pay cut for remote work — an 11% increase from 2024.
85% said remote work was the top factor that would make them apply to a job, ahead of having a competitive salary and benefits package (72%).

“For most professionals, remote and hybrid work are no longer optional, and companies need to recognize that flexibility is key to supporting their workforce in the coming year,” said FlexJobs career expert Toni Frana.

AI, Social Media Influencing Gen Z’s Career Outlook and Moves

With artificial intelligence (AI), changing career expectations and the rise of social media, workers Generation Z demographic (those generally born between 1997 and 2012) are entering the workforce during unprecedented disruption.

The Gen Z’s Way of Work Report from career website Zety found:

65% of surveyed Gen Z workers said a college degree won’t protect them from AI-related job loss.
53% are seriously considering blue-collar or skilled trade roles, viewing this field as the most AI-proof.
53% said social media influencers (e.g., TradeTok) impact their views on trade work.
43% have already changed or adjusted their career plans because of AI.
40% are teaching themselves new skills or earning certifications.

According to Zety’s Gen Z Career Trends Report, this generation is increasingly relying on social media platforms to shape career decisions:

46% of polled Gen Z workers have secured a job or internship through TikTok, and 92% trust the platform for career advice.
76% rely on Instagram for career content, more than twice the number of those using LinkedIn (34%).
95% consider an organization’s social media presence when deciding to apply.

Additionally, Zety’s survey found social media presence is now a core component of Gen Z’s career strategy, influencing how they pursue jobs, engage with employers and measure professional success.

For example:

78% of Gen Z respondents believe employers review candidates’ social media profiles during evaluation.
Although 48% strongly agree social media can create unrealistic expectations about career growth or success, 75% say they follow multiple career-focused influencers.
84% follow career influencers aged 26 to 39.

Instagram Calls U.S. Employees Back to the Office Five Days a Week

As reported by CNBC, Instagram, the popular photo and video social networking site, is requiring its U.S.-based employees to return to corporate offices five days a week.

The new return-to-office policy will take effect Feb. 2, 2026, and is intended to foster a more creative and collaborative working environment, according to an employee memo by the company’s leader, Adam Mosseri.

A spokesperson for Meta, Instagram’s parent company, told CNBC the new RTO policy only applies to Instagram and not to the company’s other family of apps, like Facebook and WhatsApp.

In September 2023, Meta called on employees across its family of apps to work at least three days a week from a physical office.

AT&T Commits to Ending DEI Programs and Policies

U.S. wireless carrier AT&T has committed to ending diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in an effort to buy wireless spectrum assets. Other wireless carriers such as T-Mobile and Verizon also have ended DEI programs to achieve approvals through the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

According to Reuters, AT&T agreed to buy some wireless spectrum licenses in November 2024 from U.S. Cellular in a $1.02 billion deal but it would require FCC approval. The agency, under the federal guidance of President Donald Trump, has required telecom firms to end DEI programs as a condition of approving transactions.

After AT&T pledged to drop DEI, the FCC approved their transaction on Wednesday, Dec. 3.

Figures and Facts of the Week

30: The percentage of British young professionals who received no recognition or praise in the past week, according to a UK survey conducted by global learning and engagement platform company Kahoot! The survey also found supportive team relationships (50%) and recognition for contributions (47%) were the top factors that would help young professionals feel a stronger sense of belonging at work.
73: The percentage of U.S. employees who said training would make them stay longer with a company in a 2026 Annual L&D Benchmark Report by employee training platform TalentLMS. On the flipside, the report also found 35% of surveyed employees said a lack of training opportunities would make them look for another job.
80: The percentage of women who overall said they want to be promoted to the next level, compared to 86% of men, according to Lean In and McKinsey & Company’s latest Women in the Workplace report. Despite this finding, women were 13% less likely to be promoted than their male peers, even though they were more motivated.
95: The percentage of HR respondents who strongly or somewhat agree that flexible working is one of the most in-demand benefits prospective employees are seeking, according to new research from International Workplace Group, a global operator of workspace providers.

Editor’s Note: Additional Content

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