Employees Are More Stressed Than Ever
Gallup has released their annual State of the Global Workplace report:
46% of employees experienced stress in 2025. This compares to the Europe regional average of 39% and the global average of 40%.
This is the highest level of stress Gallup has recorded in the UK. (Surveying began in 2010.)
18% of employees experienced loneliness in 2025. This compares to the Europe regional average of 13% and the global average of 22%.
10% of employees were engaged at work in 2025. This compares to the Europe regional average of 12% and the global average of 20%.
The results are a clear wake-up call for leadership teams. Stress levels now exceeding those seen during COVID point to a fundamental disconnect between what employees need and how work is currently designed and experienced.
Employees are not simply overwhelmed by workload. They are managing constant change, blurred boundaries between work and home, geopolitical turmoil, and growing uncertainty about expectations and long-term stability. At the same time, declining engagement and rising loneliness suggest many workplaces are becoming more transactional than human.
The HR function has a critical opportunity to reset the standard and build cultures where employees feel seen, supported, and secure. Leaders must be equipped to prioritize empathy alongside performance, with regular, meaningful check-ins, validation of the employee experience, realistic workload planning, and clear communication around priorities. Just as importantly, organizations need to rebuild connection. Intentional opportunities for collaboration, mentoring, and peer interaction can help counter isolation and strengthen resilience.
Wellbeing can no longer sit on the sidelines as a standalone initiative. It must be embedded into the fabric of how work gets done. When employees feel valued, connected, and supported, performance follows. Without that foundation, no number of perks or policies will drive meaningful change.