Workplace stress reshapes employee expectations around health support 

As workplace stress continues to climb, UK employees are raising the bar on what they expect from employers when it comes to wellbeing. 

New data from international recruitment firm, Robert Half, reveals that more than half of UK workers (54 per cent) now consider access to mental health resources a deciding factor when choosing whether to join or stay with a company. Almost as many (48 per cent) place similar importance on having access to stress-reduction programmes. 

However, the findings also show that a third of businesses still don’t offer stress-reduction support – despite mounting evidence that workplace pressure is contributing to burnout. Separate data from the Priory shows that 79 per cent of people in the UK feel stressed at least once a month. 

The results, published in Robert Half’s Salary Guide 2025, point to a significant shift in employee expectations. Health-focused benefits are increasingly seen not as perks, but as essential components of an employer’s value proposition. 

The report highlights how mental health resources, flexible benefits and visible support for stress management have become critical for talent retention. Workers are actively assessing how organisations invest in both their physical and psychological wellbeing – and those that fail to do so risk losing staff. 

The call for better health support extends beyond mental wellbeing. Nearly half (49 per cent) of employees say access to gym memberships influences their employment decisions, while over a third (36 per cent) value in-office activities such as yoga or group exercise. Yet, 41 per cent of employers still do not offer any form of physical wellbeing activity. 

The same gap appears for remote workers, with 36 per cent of respondents wanting access to virtual activity platforms – a benefit that 42 per cent of employers have yet to introduce. 

The findings point to a broader disconnect between what employees value and what many organisations currently provide. As hybrid working continues to shape modern employment, companies face growing pressure to adapt their wellbeing offerings to meet diverse and flexible workforce needs. 

Matt Weston, Senior Managing Director UK & Ireland at Robert Half, said the results underline a turning point in workplace culture: 

“This data reinforces what we’ve long believed – employee wellbeing must be at the heart of every organisation’s culture. When businesses prioritise wellbeing, they don’t just retain talent, they empower people to thrive.” 

He added that employers who embed wellbeing into their culture are better positioned to succeed in today’s competitive landscape. 

As economic uncertainty and workplace stress continue to test resilience, the message from employees is clear: wellbeing isn’t optional – it’s part of the job offer.