The 10 workplace policies job seekers are demanding

Employees

We are officially living in a post-pandemic world, and job seekers have more demands than ever before. Is your organization prepared to meet them?

Since 2020, the way we think about work has taken on a completely new meaning — one in which employees no longer go into the office, mental health deserves as much support as physical health, and our relationship with work-life balance did a 180. 

As employers struggle to prioritize new benefits, culture perks and policies, career insights platform Lensa recorded the number of Google searches for 50 employee benefits across the last 12 months. Unsurprisingly, remote work remains the number one demand from job applicants and employees alike, with nearly 500,000 Google searches this year. That's in line with most workforce projections: According to recent research by career news and insight platform Ladders, 25% of all positions in North America will be entirely remote by the end of the year due to employee demand.

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For companies that aren't shifting to an entirely WFH model, flexibility is still paramount, with both 4 day work-weeks and hybrid work following closely behind remote work. According to a recent report by technology company OwlLabs, 74% of employees reported remote or hybrid settings as better for their mental health, and 84% said it would make them happier.  

Lensa's list also highlights another interesting trend — employees want organizations to be more involved in personal matters. Employee assistance programs, ERGs and career development programs all made the top 10 most-searched topics. And despite not making the list, Lensa noted that demands for menopause leave saw a 1,300% increase year over year, highlighting the demand for more diverse and personalized offerings. 

See what else made Lensa's list of top demands employees are looking for from their employers in 2022:

Remote working

Annual Google searches: 487,600

4 day workweek

Annual Google searches: 192,200

Employee assistance programs

Annual Google searches: 164,100

Signing on bonus

Annual Google searches: 139,800

Employee resource groups

Annual Google searches: 84,300

Career development

Annual Google searches: 80,400

Hybrid working

Annual Google searches: 51,700

Smart office

Annual Google searches: 49,600

401(k) contributions

Annual Google searches: 36,900

Employee discounts

Annual Google searches: 34,500
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