In terms of deciding on a job, Gen Z isn’t simply eager about paid day off, return-to-office mandates or wage negotiations. They’re checking whether or not an organization will cowl GLP-1 weight-loss medicine—and so they’re not alone.
It’s a profit that would truly push younger staff from one job provide to a different. A brand new ZipHealth survey of over 1,000 employees discovered that nearly half (47%) of Gen Z stated GLP-1 protection would have an effect on their selections between two related jobs—that’s in comparison with 35% of millennials and 36% of Gen X.
In additional excessive circumstances, one other 7% of employees stated they’d be open to taking a pay minimize if it meant working someplace that gives GLP-1 protection. That quantity rose to 9% amongst Gen Z. Total, the bulk (54%) of employees stated they’d surrender no less than one office perk for employer-covered GLP-1 therapy. One in eight would surrender a full week of PTO.
GLP-1 medicine like Wegovy and Ozempic have fully modified the sport on the subject of weight-loss or diabetes administration, transferring from movie star circles to the mainstream. Initially developed for diabetes, the prescription medicines have developed in recognition in recent times. Some pharmaceutical corporations—like Indianapolis-based drugmaker Eli Lilly—have just lately introduced platforms that permit corporations provide their staff extra reasonably priced entry to weight-loss medicine.
Final November, a KFF ballot discovered that one in eight adults stated they had been taking a GLP-1 drug for weight reduction, diabetes or different situations. In December, the Meals and Drug Administration approved Wegovy in pill-form—making the drug extra accessible.
Now, the weight-loss drug is even permeating the office: The vast majority of employees surveyed by ZipHealth stated GLP-1 medicine protection ought to be an ordinary profit. In accordance with a 2025 survey by the Worldwide Basis of Worker Profit Plans, 55% of employers provided coverage of GLP-1 medicine, however just for the therapy of diabetes.
Up to now, Gen Z has approached weight-loss medicine with extra skepticism in comparison with millennials or Gen X. A Levity survey from final September discovered that Gen Z favored more regulation round GLP-1 than millennials, and the bulk (58%) of them didn’t assume the drug can be of their therapy plan within the coming yr. For a chronically-online technology coping with burnout and a turbulent job market, health and wellness have turn into full-on existence that social media has pushed younger adults to embrace. For employers, which may imply free snacks or wholesome catered lunches won’t minimize it anymore.
At the same time as employees prioritize entry to GLP-1’s within the office, it’s not one thing they’re fairly prepared to speak about with HR—particularly for Gen Z. Among the many demographic, the bulk (58%) stated they wouldn’t really feel comfy sharing their weight administration targets with HR, whereas 53% had been uncomfortable disclosing GLP-1 use, based on the ZipHealth information.
As GLP-1 utilization turns into much less stigmatized and influences profession choices, there’s nonetheless a lacking aspect of office cultures that encourages discussing well being and wellness advantages—which a a rising variety of younger staff actually need.
