Who needs paid time off? Gen Z prefers Ozempic at work

Gen Z Job Preferences: A Focus on Weight Loss Drug Coverage

Move over, free snacks in the break room.

For Gen Z, the criteria for job selection extends beyond salary and traditional perks. It’s now influenced by whether employers cover the cost of weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.

A recent survey from ZipHealth, which sampled over 1,000 workers, found that 47% of Gen Z individuals (ages 14 to 29) would consider insurance that includes these drugs when comparing job offers.

In comparison, only 35% of Millennials and 36% of Gen Xers expressed the same view.

Some respondents are not just looking for access; they’re prepared to make sacrifices. About 7% indicated they’d accept a lower salary for coverage of GLP-1 medications, which is a figure that rises to 9% among Gen Z.

Overall, 54% of surveyed employees would be willing to give up at least one workplace benefit to obtain insurance for these costly medications.

Without insurance, GLP-1 drugs can run between $1,000 and $1,200 monthly, not accounting for consultation or testing expenses, which can further escalate costs.

A study conducted in March highlighted that one in eight workers might even surrender a week of paid time off just to have their medications covered.

Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Munjaro surged in popularity in 2022 and early 2023, partly due to numerous celebrity endorsements, including figures like Oprah Winfrey and Chrissy Teigen.

Originally meant for those with type 2 diabetes, these medications are now increasingly used off-label for weight management. Wegovy, in particular, is FDA-approved specifically for obesity.

Other competing drugs include Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound.

This interest in weight loss drugs isn’t just a fleeting trend. A November 2025 poll by KFF revealed that one in eight adults is already using GLP-1 medications for weight loss or diabetes-related issues.

Recently, the FDA approved a pill form of Wegovy, offering a needle-free option that could entice more users.

Moreover, it’s not just Gen Z who is pursuing this coverage. Approximately one-third of both Millennials and Gen Xers would be willing to exchange various employment benefits for access to these medications.

Interestingly, Gen Zers seem willing to swap traditional benefits for this new focus. According to the survey, 29% might forgo pet insurance, 20% gym memberships, 17% student loan support, 8% flexible workdays, and even 6% of their bonus to secure GLP-1 drug coverage.