Compensation is still the top perk, but 32 percent of those surveyed said hybrid work is the most requested benefit. Compensation was listed as No. 1 by 38 percent Before the Covid pandemic, compensation was named by 43 percent of respondents and hybrid work by only 25 percent.

Wipfli surveyed more than 250 C-suite leaders, founders and directors of mid-market companies.

There have been other shifts since the pandemic. Fifty-four percent of those surveyed are spending more time on staff-related concerns while 73 percent of firms dedicate more time and resources to employee benefits and activities that encourage engagement.

On the technology side, 75 percent of these companies plan to invest in machine intelligence with cybersecurity remaining a major concern with about 71 percent planning to bolster their efforts in this arena.