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Methodology:

The survey on which these findings are based was carried out between 24th April and 12th May 2025 and received over 3,600 responses. The survey was completed by employers and employees from across the UK, working across a range of industry sectors and employed in various types and sizes of organisation in both the private and public sectors.

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Hays Working
Well Report
Attracting talent and powering performance

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Welcome to the Hays 2025 Working Well Report

The importance of employee wellbeing has never been more critical. While the advantages of a healthy, engaged workforce are well understood, our latest research highlights just how influential employee wellbeing is on the world of work, and an organisation’s long-term success.

Our report explores the evolving role of wellbeing in the workplace, drawing insights from over 3,600 employees and employers across the UK. The findings reveal a clear link between wellbeing initiatives and an organisation’s ability to appeal to skilled talent and foster long-term loyalty among existing employees.

As expectations shift and professionals increasingly prioritise mental, physical, financial and social health in their career decisions, organisations that invest in meaningful wellbeing strategies are gaining a distinct edge. From flexible working policies to mental health support and inclusive cultures, the report uncovers the practices that are making a real difference.

On a personal note, I know that managing wellbeing is a continuous journey – one I’m still very much on myself. I can’t say I’ve nailed it, but I’ve learned what gives me energy and helps me stay grounded. For me, starting the day with conversations, whether with colleagues or customers, ideally in person, sets a positive tone. I try to avoid diving straight into emails or admin, as that just doesn’t energise me!

I also plan my time a few weeks ahead to include activities that lift me, such as customer lunches or office visits. Outside of work, spending quality time with my family and being truly present with them is essential. I also find time to exercise, and I’ve come to appreciate that even a short 15-minute run can do wonders for my mental and physical health.

What works for me may not work for everyone – and that’s exactly the point. Our research shows that wellbeing is deeply personal, and shaped by a range of factors, which you can explore in the report. Whether you’re looking to enhance your employee value proposition, build a more resilient workforce, or better manage your own health, I’m certain you’ll find practical guidance and forward-thinking recommendations to help you lead the way on workplace wellbeing.

Tom Way, CEO, Hays UK&I

Tom Way
CEO, Hays UK&I

The evolving world of work – shaped by hybrid models, digital acceleration, and external pressures – has placed employee wellbeing at the heart of sustainable performance. And in the aftermath of the pandemic, organisations now realise that wellbeing is not a perk, but a strategic priority that drives engagement, performance, and innovation. But despite increased awareness and investment, many organisations are still struggling to meet the needs of their people.

Our latest findings reveal both opportunity and challenge. An encouraging 84% of professionals say that hybrid working has positively impacted their wellbeing. However, only one-in-two believe their organisation’s current approach to employee wellbeing is effectively supporting them. And while 97% of employers agree that employee wellbeing is vital to organisational success, 68% admit they don’t measure the effectiveness of their efforts.

Additionally, we’ve seen a growing recognition of the interconnectedness between mental, physical, emotional and financial wellbeing, and which of these aspects employees need the most support with.

At Hays, we’re committed to creating a workplace environment in which each individual feels supported, valued, and empowered to thrive. We hope that our findings and recommendations show that investing in employee wellbeing not only drives better business outcomes and improves talent attraction and retention but creates a ripple effect across our communities and the wider economy.

Hannah Pearsall, Head of Wellbeing at Hays

Hannah Pearsall
Head of Wellbeing at Hays

Welcome to the Hays Working Well Report 2025. As a partner of Hays, Sonder is proud to provide an introduction to this research. This report underscores a fundamental truth: the wellbeing of our people isn't just an ethical consideration, it's a strategic imperative for ongoing organisational success.

The Hays Working Well Report 2025 offers a grounded, real-world perspective on employee wellbeing in the UK today. The findings illustrate the pressures employers face, with persistent high stress levels across workforces and the ongoing challenge of blurred work-life boundaries. It's evident that while organisations are committed to supporting wellbeing, the implementation and measurement of these initiatives present genuine hurdles. The fact that nearly 70% of employers don't consistently measure the effectiveness of their wellbeing strategies, and 40% of employees aren't fully utilising available support, highlights an opportunity to rethink how businesses can better support and measure the health, safety and wellbeing of their people.

The future of wellbeing isn't about isolated programmes, but about embedding proactive support, clear communication, and effective feedback loops into the very fabric of our organisations.

I invite you to explore these insights and reflect on your company’s strategy for holistic employee care.

Craig Cowdrey, CEO and Cofounder at Sonder

Craig Cowdrey
CEO and Cofounder at Sonder

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About Sonder

Sonder is a leading safety, medical, and mental health support platform that helps organisations protect their people and mitigate risk. Available 24/7, Sonder’s proactive and on-demand support connects employees and students to expert guidance, real-time safety monitoring, and immediate assistance when they need it most.

Learn more
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What is workplace wellbeing?

When discussing workplace wellbeing, it’s often based on our understanding of physical and mental health. While these are both important aspects, we believe a more meaningful definition encompasses an individual’s wider quality of life, including their financial security and relationships with people and society.

We’ve therefore identified four key aspects of wellbeing, using these as a benchmark of employee wellbeing throughout the report. This includes:

Physical wellbeing

Maintaining a healthy quality of life through regular exercise, balanced nutrition, adequate sleep, and preventive healthcare

Physical wellbeing

Mental wellbeing

Managing stress, emotions, and thoughts in a healthy way; includes self-awareness, resilience, and seeking support when needed

Mental wellbeing

Financial wellbeing

Feeling secure and in control of your finances, including budgeting, saving, and planning for the future
 

Financial wellbeing

Social wellbeing

Developing and maintaining positive relationships, feeling connected to society and others, and having a sense of belonging and support

Social wellbeing

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Employee wellbeing has steadily emerged as a major area of interest for organisations, who now better understand the way wellbeing influences productivity, morale, engagement and other business-critical factors.

By examining data from thousands of respondents across the UK, we’ve shined a spotlight on employee wellbeing, and provided a platform for what action is required by employers to provide their people with greater support and foster a resilient workforce ready for tomorrow’s challenges.

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of professionals often feel stressed at work [49% for men, 57% for women]

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of professionals say that a hybrid working option has positively impacted their wellbeing

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of employees admit they don’t make use of wellbeing support initiatives
 

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of employers believe positive wellbeing is important to their organisation’s success

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employers don’t measure the effectiveness of their wellbeing initiatives

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of professionals have left a role due to inadequate wellbeing support

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Read on to discover the current state of play when it comes to wellbeing in the workplace.

Workplace wellbeing