Young employees across the UK are increasingly calling for stronger wellbeing support from their employers. New research suggests that workers aged 18 to 34 are placing growing importance on workplace benefits that address both mental health and overall quality of working life.
The study, from employee benefits platform Zest and benefits and wellbeing hub Epassi UK, found that six in ten young employees now expect greater support from employers in this area. A total of 59% of workers aged 18-34 said they want more wellbeing support, which is higher than the average of 49% reported across all age groups.
Despite this demand, fewer than half of employees believe employers are responding effectively. Only four in ten employees said they feel their employer genuinely cares about their wellbeing, while just 44% believe their current benefits package supports mental health.
Younger Workers Place Growing Value on Workplace Wellbeing
For many younger employees, wellbeing support now carries similar weight to financial stability at work. The research found that around two-thirds of workers aged 18–34 believe wellbeing support is just as important as financial wellbeing when considering their overall employment conditions.
When asked what their ideal benefits package would include, employees highlighted several forms of health and wellbeing support. Three in ten employees said private medical insurance would be a key part of their package, one in five said they would value a wellbeing allowance they could spend as they choose and one in seven said paid mental health leave would be important.
The results indicate that wellbeing benefits are becoming a central factor in how employees evaluate employers. For younger workers in particular, these forms of support are often linked to maintaining balance between work demands and personal health.
At the same time, many organisations have already increased spending in this area. According to Zest’s 2025 Employee Benefits Report, around three quarters of employers have invested more in wellbeing benefits in recent years. However, the research suggests that increased investment has not necessarily translated into stronger employee confidence in workplace support.
Benefits Expectations Linked to Recruitment and Retention
The study found that six in ten employees believed their benefits package was inadequate last year, highlighting dissatisfaction among a significant proportion of the workforce.
Seven in ten employees also said they would consider leaving their current role if another employer offered stronger benefits. Researchers say this could place organisations at risk of losing younger talent if benefits packages fail to reflect changing expectations.
The findings appear alongside wider concerns about workforce health across the UK. Data from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development shows that UK employees were absent from work for nearly two full working weeks on average in 2025 due to both mental and physical ill health.
Matt Russell, CEO at Zest and Epassi UK, said that employers are falling short when it comes to matching young workers’ demand for support.
“To meet employee needs and attract and retain the next generation of talent, employers must enhance their wellbeing offerings. Simply investing in benefits is clearly not enough – understanding what type of support workers want, implementing changes and communicating what’s on offer effectively is key. Not only will this improve employee support and morale but also drive business growth and productivity.”