- Key Insight: Discover how HR‑ownership misalignment undermines well‑being investments.
- What's at Stake: Retention and financial performance risk if beliefs don't translate into well‑being action.
- Supporting Data: Nearly 4 in 10 rate employees' financial or mental health fair or poor.
- Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review
This is part one in a two-part series on the current state of employee well-being.
How are benefit leaders
According to exclusive research from Arizent, parent company of Employee Benefit News, leaders have some work to do to bridge knowledge and benefit gaps.
The 2025 EBN Workplace Well-being Survey shows a clear divide in how different organizational groups prioritize employee wellness when making business decisions. While nearly all HR leaders (96%) say well-being is a top or constant consideration, just three-quarters of executive leaders (74%) and two-thirds of company owners (65%) share that same focus.
As benefit leaders
The EBN Workplace Well-being survey was fielded online during July, 2025 among 120 benefits professionals. All respondents have responsibility for or oversight of benefits, total rewards, and/or employee wellness at companies who provide healthcare benefits to 50 or more employees.
Read on for part one of the results, where we explore where employees are struggling, so benefit leaders can implement the right strategies to support their needs.
Employees still struggle with mental and financial strain
According to EBN's 2025 Workplace Well-being Survey, benefit leaders view employee wellness as generally positive, but notable gaps still exist. While 77% rate overall well-being as good or excellent, financial and mental health lag behind — nearly four in ten describe employees' financial (38%) and mental (37%) health as only fair or poor.
More than half of employees struggle with mental health
However, physical health is seen as somewhat stronger, with two-thirds rating it good or excellent, while social well-being stands out as a relative bright spot (75% positive). The findings highlight that despite progress in fostering social connection and general well-being, many employees continue to struggle with financial and emotional resilience — areas ripe for strategic investment and program innovation.
Majority of leaders rank their employees' wellness as 'good'
A desire to help
The research shows that benefit professionals overwhelmingly view employee well-being as both a moral and business imperative. Nearly all respondents (97%) agree that employees who feel well cared for are more likely to stay with their employer, and a similar share (96%) say supporting physical, mental and financial health is simply good business. Most organizations (65%) report taking a holistic approach to benefits design, though nearly one in three remain neutral or disagree — signaling room for growth in strategy alignment.
While only a quarter of those surveyed believe well-being costs outweigh the benefits, 82% agree that companies prioritizing employee well-being perform better financially. The results highlight broad consensus that well-being investments pay off, but also suggest that translating belief into practice remains an ongoing challenge.
Employers understand their responsibility in workplace wellness
What benefits are moving the needle forward for benefit leaders in addressing these workplace issues? Stay tuned for part two of this exclusive research, and explore more of our content on workplace well-being right here:
