Indeed’s survey of 1,551 UK adults aged 18 and over, all in part-time or full-time employment, found that while 87% believe work can be more than a paycheck and 94% believe it is possible to be happy at work most of the time, only 23% report currently thriving at work. In this survey, thriving reflects those with high work wellbeing, which is measured across four key indicators: happiness, stress, sense of purpose, and overall satisfaction.

Many respondents reported low scores across these indicators (low happiness, high stress, low purpose, and low satisfaction) signalling low work wellbeing. The impact extends beyond the workplace: those with low work wellbeing are nearly nine times more likely to regularly feel stressed, highlighting significant effects on personal wellbeing, relationships, and overall quality of life.

Poor work wellbeing is affecting people’s quality of life

More than four in five employees (87%) said their happiness at work directly affects their mood at home. When asked to identify the main source of stress in their lives, over half (52%) cited work – placing it above global conflicts, political or economic uncertainty (36%), and even family issues (31%).

The consequences of poor work wellbeing were also linked to broader health and lifestyle concerns. Among those experiencing low wellbeing at work, 46% reported having less time for hobbies or personal interests, 45% experienced difficulty sleeping, 44% reported physical health issues, and 40% noted a decline in mental health, showing that poor work wellbeing can have a tangible impact on overall quality of life for employees.

Employees are expecting more from their workplace

As personal pressures mount, so does the demand for workplaces that offer real support and balance. Almost half of the employees (49%) reported that their expectations are higher than they were just a year ago, with nearly two-thirds (64%) agreeing that it is their company’s responsibility to lead on creating a more positive work environment, even if responsibility for work wellbeing is shared.

These rising expectations come from current employees, among whom high stress ranks second only to pay as a leading reason to seek new roles, and from potential employees. Nearly 7 in 10 (69%) believe companies have a responsibility to create an environment where people can thrive, prioritising work wellbeing through flexible working arrangements (61%), high employee retention (56%), and giving employees positive feedback (55%).

Additionally, 95% of employees say they want access to wellbeing data to evaluate companies during their job search, with almost half (48%) indicating that this information is critical even before they consider applying.

Matt Burney, Senior Strategic Advisor at Indeed, commented: “The effects of poor work wellbeing are immense and felt personally. People care deeply about their work, so stress doesn’t stop at the office door. But even in a tough job market, employees won’t stay in roles that don’t support their wellbeing; they’ll actively look for better options.

“This research shows that workplace wellbeing is no longer optional; it's a growing expectation for companies looking to attract and keep top talent. Meeting this expectation starts with truly listening to employees and understanding how they’re feeling, taking measure and responding to feedback.

“Most importantly, wellbeing can’t just be a checkbox or a policy on paper – it needs to be part of everyday work life, from how companies present themselves to how they welcome new people.”

For more startup news, check out the other articles on the website, and subscribe to the magazine for free. Listen to The Cereal Entrepreneur podcast for more interviews with entrepreneurs and big-hitters in the startup ecosystem.