Why workplace perks are disappearing (and what employees can do)

July 19, 2026

Economists and workplace experts are highlighting a shift that’s well underway—”The Great Hunkering Down.” In the current job market, data shows there are fewer job openings.

People are holding onto their jobs for longer, and have less bargaining power. As a result, companies are offering fewer perks, with many workplaces now requiring employees back in the office full-time. “Summer Fridays” that allow people to log off early are also on the decline.

The AI career hub Kickresume recently shared a checklist to help people identify which benefits they should prioritize at work. With workplace perks harder to come by in the current economic climate, this could be more useful than ever—both for people who are looking for a new position and people who wonder whether their current employer’s benefits are enough.

Kickresume’s benefits checklist advises:

Assess your life stage: What do you need to consider?
Evaluate your finances: Is pay the most important aspect right now?
Consider health needs: Do you or your family have any health issues?
Think about career goals: Is progression or stability more important right now?
Look 5-10 years ahead: What will your life look like and what will your priorities be?
Create your personal hierarchy: Rank all the benefits you can think of as essential, important, nice-to-have, and not relevant to you personally.
Don’t assume you know what you need: Research different benefits and ask people in your life at different career stages what has helped them.
Remember you can negotiate: If salary is capped, ask for additional vacation days, development budget, or flexibility.
Review regularly: Your priorities will shift over time—make sure you’re still getting what you want.

“In The Great Hunkering Down” people might worry that they’re no longer going to be able to get the benefits they’re looking for. There are fewer jobs available and with lots of competition for available positions, it’s a buyer’s market. While it’s true that remote work is harder to find now, employees can still negotiate for what they want or need to make their jobs work for them.

“If you’re applying for a job and a benefit that’s important to you isn’t mentioned, it’s worth politely bringing it up at the interview stage. Ask if there’s any scope for this perk to be included for the right candidate. Just try not to be too pushy about it as this could put some employers off.”

Peter Duris, CEO and Co-Founder of Kickresume

Tips for employees

Keep looking: If you’re not happy with your current benefits package, you don’t have to quit your job. Just keep an eye out for new opportunities, and apply while you’re still with your current employer. If you hear about a company in your field that sounds like it has an amazing culture but they don’t seem to be hiring right now, you can always reach out proactively, just to ask if they have any openings coming up.
Upskill: Much of the discussion around “The Great Hunkering Down” has centered around AI, with the technology cited by many companies as a reason for layoffs. Whether you’re looking for work right now or not, upskilling in AI could help you make a great impression as a candidate for a new job or a promotion at your current company.
Negotiate: If there’s a benefit that’s important to you, don’t be afraid to ask about it in job interviews or ask your current manager. When asking your current employer for benefits like work from home days or extra PTO, prepare a business case—bring examples of your recent achievements and explain why you believe you should get this extra compensation in the form of benefits. If you’re requesting more time working from home, bring some examples of times you’ve successfully delivered high quality work remotely.

Overall, while “The Great Hunkering Down” is a sign of a tough job market, workers may still be able to get access to some of the benefits that matter to them most. Taking a strategic approach to their priorities and negotiating with employers will be key.