Employees Concerned About Well-being

Worries about overall well-being are on the rise, according to findings from the Sixth Annual Workplace Wellness Survey released by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) and Greenwald Research. 

A positive finding from the report is that a majority of workers are satisfied with their jobs and value work-life balance. However, many feel disengaged and uncertain about the economy, health care affordability and long-term security.

The survey interviewed 1,400 workers from July 18–August 5, 2025, on their attitudes toward employment-based benefits in the workplace.

“Even as workers tell us their personal financial stress has eased compared with a few years ago, inflation and health care costs remain persistent pressure points—and that strain is showing up in rising concerns about overall well-being," said Jake Spiegel, senior research associate, EBRI, in a statement.

"The results suggest employers have an opportunity to strengthen engagement by pairing competitive benefits with greater flexibility and support that helps people feel more secure,” Spiegel added.

Key findings include:

General Concerns

Concerns about physical, mental and workplace well-being have climbed slightly, but financial well-being concerns have eased since 2022. They were slightly higher in 2025, with workers rating their level of concern an average of 5.8 out of 10.

Concerns about the economy going into a recession, impacting finances in the next 12 months, were the same as in 2024 (80%), but 40% said the U.S. economy is currently in a recession. 

Other top concerns are Inflation (89%), the cost of health care (87%), and the cost of health insurance (86%).

Perception of Employers

Fifty-six percent of workers were very or extremely satisfied with their current job, with only 13% expressing dissatisfaction.

About 66% of the workers reported that their employers’ efforts to help employees manage their overall well-being have stayed the same, with 23% saying efforts have increased.

Just over one-third rated their employer highly in improving their financial well-being. Work-life balance (53%) and doing meaningful work (42%) contributed most to workers’ sense of workplace well-being. 

Work-life Balance

Work-life balance continues to be valued by American workers. Over half (53%) of the workers indicated that work-life balance is one of the top three benefits valued most, outside of income and compensation.

Eight in 10 workers were at least somewhat satisfied with the PTO benefits they get at work. While paid vacation and paid sick time were still the PTO benefits offered most frequently, paid volunteer time (24%), paid sabbatical (20%), childcare (20%) and elder care assistance (14%) all increased in 2025.

“Work-life balance continues to be a defining priority for workers, and this year’s findings suggest they’re looking for benefits that don’t just exist on paper but make day-to-day life easier—whether that’s more flexible work schedules, time off or benefit options they can tailor to their needs," said Greg Hershberger, managing director, Health and Benefits, Greenwald Research, in a statement.

Benefits

Workers reported similar satisfaction with their benefits package as in prior years, with top suggestions for improvement being a greater employer contribution and more flexibility of benefits.

Over four in 10 workers were extremely/very satisfied with their benefits package, in line with prior years. Top improvements suggested were greater financial contributions from their employer (48%), more flexibility of choice (34%), more resources/benefits to help with financial well-being (33%) and PTO conversion (31%).

Health insurance was most often mentioned as a top benefit when deciding whether to stay at a current job or leave (72%), followed by a retirement savings plan (62%).

Use of AI

Workers were somewhat open to using artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to help navigate benefits and finances, but significant shares were skeptical. Half of the workers are comfortable using AI-powered tools or resources to help manage their finances and a similar share is comfortable using AI tools for customized employee benefit plan recommendations.

Generally, workers are comfortable using AI tools to do their own work (61% agree) and over half say that AI tools can help them do their job more efficiently. Yet more than a third are concerned that increased use of AI may eliminate their job, which is an increase from 2024.

"We’re seeing cautious interest in using AI to help people navigate benefits and finances, paired with real skepticism and worry about what expanded AI use could mean for jobs," said Hershberger. "The takeaway from this research is that employers have an opportunity: pair stronger flexibility and modern, understandable benefits with responsible, transparent use of AI that builds trust and helps employees feel more supported.