Workplace Stress Levels Worry Employers According to GRiD Research
In the year 2025, a significant shift was observed in the health and wellbeing concerns of Millennials (Gen Y) in the workplace, according to research by GRiD. While work-related stress and anxiety remained a concern for most generations, it took a backseat for Millennials, who now faced more pressure from home life and financial issues.
The research revealed that employers identified stress and anxiety related to home life—such as caring responsibilities and managing difficult relationships—as the biggest issue for Millennials, affecting 43% of them. Financial stress was also significant, with 42% of Millennials reporting it as a concern. This contrasts with 2024, when workplace stress and anxiety was the leading concern for Millennials, cited by 44% of employers[1].
The overall levels of stress and anxiety related to work are lower in 2025 than they were in 2024, with work stress affecting 38% of Millennials compared to 44% in the previous year[1]. This decrease suggests a relative improvement or shift in focus for Millennials.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD, emphasized the importance of supporting employees in all areas of life. She highlighted that Millennials often face multiple simultaneous stressors, with home life and finances weighing heavily alongside work pressures.
Group risk benefits, such as employer-sponsored life assurance, income protection, and critical illness cover, provide a foundation for employee benefits. These benefits play a key role in supporting employees across physical, mental, financial, and social wellbeing[2].
Interestingly, while work-related stress remains the top employer concern across most other generations, Millennials are unique in 2025 in that employers perceive home life stressors and financial anxiety as more pressing than work stress. Gen Z, on the other hand, remains most concerned about stress and anxiety related to their work[2].
Employers should remain consistent in providing support for all staff, regardless of their age or generation. They should maintain comprehensive support strategies addressing both workplace and personal wellbeing to effectively assist Millennial employees[3].
In summary, while work-related stress and anxiety remained a concern for most generations in 2025, Millennials experienced a shift in their top workplace health concern. Home-life related stress and anxiety became the leading concern for Millennials, with financial stress also significant. Work stress decreased, indicating a relative improvement or shift in focus for Millennials. Employers should recognize the broader context for Millennials beyond work pressures and maintain a core offering of employee benefits that addresses the needs of most employees most of the time.
[1] GRiD Research, 2025 [2] GRiD Research, 2024 [3] Various Research Sources, 2025
- In response to GRiD's research, it was found that compliance with regulation in offering employee benefits, such as life assurance, income protection, and critical illness cover, is crucial for addressing the physical, mental, financial, and social wellbeing of Millennials in the workplace.
- With personal-finance issues and home-life events representing significant stressors for Millennials, the importance of education-and-self-development resources to improve their financial literacy and coping skills cannot be overstated.
- The research indicates a developing trend in workplace-wellness programs focusing on mental-health, as employer-sponsored initiatives geared towards improving personal wellbeing become increasingly important for Millennials.
- Given the unique health-and-wellness concerns of Millennials in 2025, it is essential for employers to implement a holistic approach to addressing their wellbeing, taking into account personal-finance, education-and-self-development, and mental-health aspects in addition to physical and work-related issues.
- While the shift in Millennials' top workplace health concern in 2025 might imply a decrease in overall workplace stress levels, it is crucial for employers to continue fostering a supportive, stress-reducing environment at work to cater to the varying wellbeing needs among diverse generations, including Gen Z employees.
