Photo source and credit: Chanel. Named one of Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2025
Despite a year marked by economic turbulence and political uncertainty, global employers are maintaining a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, according to Forbes’ World’s Best Employers 2025 ranking, produced in partnership with market research firm, Statista.
The chart, based on surveys of more than 300,000 workers across 50 countries, highlights organisations recognised by their own employees for strong workplace culture, career growth, pay and wellbeing practices. Almost all of the 131 multinational companies surveyed for the accompanying Employer Wellbeing Strategy Survey said they now provide Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs) to support staff with mental health, financial concerns and personal challenges.
Peter Duris, CEO and co-founder of Kickresume, told Forbes that workplace culture plays a vital role in sustaining wellbeing:
“Employers can promote a healthy work-life balance by encouraging managers to lead by example. Teams who see their manager logging off at the end of the working day and taking their leave are more likely to model this behaviour themselves.”
That approach, Duris adds, not only prevents burnout but improves retention. “Companies that don’t guard against a culture of overwork will drive away many employees, especially those with children or caring responsibilities,”
He said.
UK representation
Among the top-ranked employers, several UK-based firms feature prominently; including Chanel (35th) and Rolls-Royce Holdings (37th), both noted for their emphasis on flexibility, inclusion and wellbeing initiatives. Global giants with major UK operations, such as KPMG, Apple and Microsoft, also appear near the top of the global list.
For UK HR leaders, the findings underline the growing value of wellbeing as a strategic differentiator. With sickness absence and stress-related illness rising to record highs, employers that model healthier work habits are proving more successful in attracting and retaining talent.
Workplace wellbeing experts say that the connection between culture, leadership, and mental health is now impossible to ignore. When managers actively set boundaries and support work-life balance, teams are not only healthier but also more productive and engaged.
As Forbes editor Rachel Rabkin Peachman noted, this year’s list recognises the employers “offering generous benefits, career growth opportunities and a healthy work-life balance” – qualities increasingly seen as essential to sustainable business performance.
Source: Forbes, October 2025 – “Meet the World’s Best Employers 2025”
