Employee wellbeing

While American workers report easing concerns about their personal finances compared with recent years, worries about overall well-being are on the rise, according to recent research from the Employee Benefits Research Institute (EBRI) and Greenwald Research. The Workplace Wellness Survey found that inflation and health care costs continue to be the most significant sources of concern for workers. Although a majority of workers are satisfied with their jobs and value work-life balance, the survey found that many feel disengaged and uncertain about the economy, health care affordability, and long-term security.

“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. 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,” said Jake Spiegel, senior research associate at EBRI.

The survey found the following:

• Well-being concerns. Concern about physical, mental and workplace well-being was slightly higher in 2025, with workers rating their level of concern an average of 5.8 out of 10. Additionally, there was a general trend of concern about financial well-being decreasing, with financial well-being concerns dropping from 6.9 to 6.3 between 2022 and 2025. Concern about the economy going into a recession impacting finances in the next 12 months was the same as 2024 (80 percent), but 40 percent said the U.S. economy is currently in a recession. Inflation (89 percent), the cost of health care (87 percent), and the cost of health insurance (86 percent) were other top concerns for American workers.
• Job satisfaction. Fifty-six percent of workers were very or extremely satisfied with their current job, with only 13 percent expressing dissatisfaction. About 66 percent of the workers reported that their employers’ efforts to help employees manage their overall well-being has stayed the same, with 23 percent saying efforts have increased. Just over one-third rated their employer highly in improving their financial well-being. Work-life balance (53 percent) and doing meaningful work (42 percent) contributed most to workers’ sense of workplace well-being.
• Work-life balance. Over half (53 percent) of 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 percent), paid sabbatical (20 percent), child care (20 percent), and elder care assistance (14 percent) all increased in 2025.
• Benefits satisfaction. 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 to choose from. 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 percent), more flexibility of choice (34 percent), more resources/benefits to help with financial well-being (33 percent), and PTO conversion (31 percent). Health insurance was most often mentioned as a top benefit when deciding whether to stay at a current job or leave (72 percent), followed by a retirement savings plan (62 percent).
• Artificial intelligence. Workers were somewhat open to using artificial intelligence (AI) as a tool to help navigate benefits and finances, but significant shares were skeptical, the survey found Half of the workers were comfortable using AI-powered tools or resources to help manage their finances, and a similar share was comfortable using AI tools for customized employee benefit plan recommendations. Generally, workers were comfortable using AI tools to do their own work (61 percent agree) and over half said that AI tools can help them do their job more efficiently. Yet more than a third were concerned that increased use of AI may eliminate their job, which is an increase from 2024.

“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. At the same time, 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. 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,” said Greg Hershberger, managing director of health and benefits at Greenwald Research.

SOURCE: www.ebri.org

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