Breaking the stress cycle: How to rebuild work well-being in 2025

Inflation, family demands, higher workloads, and lower pay contribute to one common feeling most people have in 2024: Stress. 

The emotional toll of these challenges doesn’t disappear at the office door. In fact, they follow employees into work.

Indeed’s Work Wellbeing Report shows that 4 out of 5 employees globally aren’t thriving, with stress standing out as the leading cause of low work well-being. 

Work well-being is determined by four indicators according to the report – Happiness, Purpose, Stress, and Satisfaction. They provide a window into how employees truly feel:

• 57 percent do not feel happy at work most of the time.
• 57 percent are not completely satisfied with their job.
• 59 percent feel stressed at work most of the time.
• 48 percent don’t feel their work has a clear sense of purpose

As the year ends, it’s time for leaders to face a hard truth: employees are struggling and dismissing their challenges is no longer an option in 2025.

While employers can’t control what happens in employees’ personal lives, they can create a workplace that offers support, stability, and solutions. Here’s how leaders can step up and take meaningful action to reverse these trends for each indicator of work well-being. 

Cultivate joy in the workplace

57 percent of employees report not feeling happy at work most of the time. This lack of happiness often stems from feeling undervalued, unsupported, or disconnected from their teams. Leaders must focus on fostering an environment that brings genuine joy to employees’ workdays – not through quick fixes, but by addressing deeper needs.

Here’s how to create a happier workplace:

• Foster meaningful relationships: Prioritize team-building initiatives that require employees to have deeper conversations with each other, such as collaborative projects, peer mentoring, or social impact events. 
• Celebrate wins: Make recognition part of your culture. Highlight achievements during team meetings, create peer-recognition programs, or share shout-outs across the company to nurture a sense of accomplishment.
• Promote autonomy: Give employees ownership of their tasks by involving them in decision-making and trusting them to take initiative. For example, allow teams to set their own deadlines or choose projects aligned with their strengths.

Align work with meaning

Helping employees connect their roles to a larger mission is essential, especially since 48 percent of employees feel their work lacks a clear sense of purpose. When employees don’t see the “why” behind their work, it leads to disengagement and a feeling of going through the motions. 

Here’s how to inspire purpose:

• Communicate the company’s vision and goals: Regularly share how the company’s mission impacts customers, communities, or the world. Include specific examples or client success stories during meetings to make this connection tangible.
• Provide growth opportunities: Offer mentorship programs, learning and development stipends, or skill-building workshops to help employees grow in ways that align with both their personal goals and the company’s mission.
• Listen to employee input: Conduct purpose-driven one-on-ones where employees can share what excites them about their work and what feels less meaningful. Use this feedback to adjust job roles or projects where possible.

Create a culture of support

It looks like 59 percent of employees feel stressed at work most of the time. High workloads, unclear expectations, and a lack of resources contribute to chronic stress, which hurts both performance and mental health. 

Here’s how to build a supportive workplace and reduce stressors:

• Normalize boundaries: Leaders should model healthy work habits by avoiding after-hours communication, respecting vacation time, and encouraging teams to unplug when needed. Create guidelines to help everyone manage expectations around availability.
• Offer flexible work options: Introduce flexible schedules or hybrid models to give employees greater control over their time. Consider implementing “no meeting” days to reduce the pressure of always having to be available.
• Invest in mental health resources: Go beyond offering an EAP by hosting mental health workshops, providing wellness stipends, or creating spaces (virtual or physical) where employees can decompress.

Build a workplace employees don’t want to leave

Satisfaction isn’t just about pay, it’s about feeling seen, valued, and supported in your career journey. However, 57 percent of employees are not completely satisfied with their jobs. To reduce turnover, leaders need to prioritize creating fulfilling experiences for employees.

Here’s how to boost job satisfaction to increase retention:

• Conduct stay interviews: Instead of waiting for exit interviews, ask current employees what keeps them engaged and where improvements can be made. Use this feedback to inform retention strategies.
• Create transparent career paths: Make career growth clear by sharing roadmaps for promotions or lateral moves. Offer career coaching to help employees identify and achieve their goals.
• Improve hybrid workspaces: For remote teams, provide stipends for equipment and collaboration tools. For in-office teams, focus on modernizing workspaces with comfortable furniture, quiet zones, and team-friendly layouts.

The future of work is human. By focusing on the key indicators of Happiness, Purpose, Stress, and Satisfaction, leaders can build cultures where employees enjoy their work, feel a sense of belonging, and are motivated to improve performance. 

Do your workplace strategies address employee needs? 

Perfeqta is here to help make sure your company’s goals prioritize employee performance and well-being. 

📩Subscribe to our email newsletter for more talent development resources sent straight to your inbox.

📕Download our Inclusive Leadership Guide and learn how to lead with empathy, practice allyship, and make decisions rooted in equity.

🗣️Learn more about how our company training sessions can help your team have transformative conversations in the workplace.

📞Get in touch with our team to learn more about our services.