Workers may be satisfied with their current jobs but have concerns about the economy, health care affordability and long-term security. That's according to the Sixth Annual Workplace Wellness Survey released by the Employee Benefit Research Institute.
"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 wellbeing. 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, EBRI.
Concerns about physical, mental and workplace wellbeing have climbed slightly, but financial wellbeing concerns have eased since 2022. Concern about physical, mental and workplace wellbeing 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 wellbeing decreasing, with financial wellbeing concerns dropping from 6.9 to 6.3 between 2022 and 2025.
Concerns about the economy going into a recession impacting finances in the next 12 months was the same as 2024 (80%), but 40% said the U.S. economy is currently in a recession. Inflation (89%), the cost of health care (87%) and the cost of health insurance (86%) are other top concerns for American workers.
- 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 wellbeing has stayed the same, with 23% saying efforts have increased.
- 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.
- 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 4 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 wellbeing (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%).
- 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.
Greg Hershberger, managing director, Health and Benefits, Greenwald Research says, "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.
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