Stress and anxiety related to work remain the most pressing health and wellbeing issue facing staff across most generations, according to a new survey of employers.
Now in its second consecutive year as the number one employer concern, workplace-related stress — including overwork and uncertainty about the future — topped the list for Baby Boomers (34%), Gen X (36%) and Gen Z (38%).
While Millennials (Gen Y) are still affected by work stress, employers believe they are more impacted by pressures outside the workplace. Stress and anxiety linked to home life, such as caring responsibilities or relationship challenges, ranked highest for this group (43%), followed closely by financial worries (42%), in a survey by GRiD, the industry body for the group risk sector.
Rising Financial Anxiety Across Age Groups
Although work-related stress has dipped slightly from 2024 levels, concern about financial stress is on the rise. Employers are increasingly recognising the toll of money worries on employee wellbeing:
- Among Baby Boomers, concern rose from 18% in 2024 to 25% in 2025
- Gen X saw an increase from 28% to 32%
- Millennials rose from 35% to 42%
- Gen Z remained steady at 33%
Millennials again stand out as the group with the most reported concern about debt and financial strain, a reminder of the ongoing pressures from student loans, rising housing costs and family expenses.
What Employees Say
When asked directly about their health and wellbeing concerns, employee responses were varied. Baby Boomers, Gen X and Millennials all cited serious physical health conditions — such as cancer or heart disease — as their primary worry. Millennials also reported equal concern about financial stress, while Gen Z listed work-related stress as their top concern.
The findings reflect how personal and professional pressures intersect — and how they differ depending on life stage.
“Employees often face multiple concerns simultaneously, and these challenges rarely exist in isolation, as stress in one area of life often affects others,” said Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD. “Regardless of the nature of their worries, employers should remain consistent in providing support for all staff, whether they are young or young at heart.”
What Employers Can Do
Employers need not overhaul their entire wellbeing strategy each year, but they should review how inclusive and effective their benefits offering is in light of shifting trends. GRiD advises a balance between targeted interventions and a solid foundation of core support for all staff.
Key actions include:
Financial wellbeing support: Given the rising anxiety around money, employers may wish to offer financial education, debt management resources, access to professional advice or salary-linked savings tools.
Flexible working and leave policies: Stress from caring responsibilities and home life can often be reduced with flexible hours, carer’s leave, or family-friendly policies.
Mental health access: Employee assistance programmes (EAPs), mental health first aiders and access to counselling should remain widely available and well publicised.
Communication and measurement: Regular check-ins, pulse surveys and feedback loops ensure benefits are aligned with employee needs and actually being used.
Core group risk benefits: Life assurance, income protection and critical illness cover remain a robust backbone of support across all generations, providing peace of mind and long-term financial protection.
A Cross-Generational Strategy
While customising certain benefits for different life stages can help, experts caution against over-segmenting. A consistent, organisation-wide approach with optional add-ons is more manageable and ensures no group is excluded.
GRiD’s latest research highlights the need for joined-up thinking across wellbeing categories. Stress from work, finances and personal life often co-exist, and so too must employer support.
Ultimately, wellbeing isn’t one-size-fits-all, but a well-balanced, inclusive offering can go a long way in helping employees, regardless of their generation, feel supported and resilient in the face of modern pressures.