Employers fall short in meeting struggling workers’ expectations

NEWARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Prudential Financial released today its annual Benefits & Beyond study that reveals day-to-day financial stress is a leading concern for employees. Employees are raising their expectations for robust workplace benefits and believe their employers should play a larger role in helping them alleviate that stress. Employers agree, yet many aren’t keeping up with those demands, instead focusing more on longer-term financial support.

Key findings from the first installment of Prudential’s 2025 Benefits & Beyond study, “New Workforce Expectations: How evolving needs are reshaping the workplace,” include:

• Many employers recognize that workplace benefits aren’t adequately addressing employees’ day-to-day stress. While 75% of employers believe their benefits help with retirement savings, only 35% believe they help with immediate financial stresses like everyday expenses.
• Employees’ top challenges are saving for retirement (45%), cost of everyday goods (44%), cost of housing (29%) and making it paycheck to paycheck (26%).

The study’s findings are clear: When it comes to workplace benefits, there is a disconnect on what companies offer and what employees actually need — now and in the future. The study finds that 86% of employers think their benefits are modern, while only 59% of employees agree.

With a backdrop of economic uncertainty, shifting expectations and evolving social norms, today’s employees expect holistic support from employers to help solve the challenges they face. They seek modern benefits that offer flexibility and financial support, and prioritize their overall well-being, according to Michael Estep, president of Prudential Group Insurance.

Beyond pay, employees want their employers to provide modern benefits that reflect the real needs people are facing today. That includes benefits that help people balance their personal lives and address what happens outside of work, with employees considering flexible benefits like a four-day workweek (41%) and “pawternity” leave (23%) as optimal.

“Employees want benefits that go beyond traditional coverage and more completely address how they live and work,” said Estep. “The workplace is at a tipping point, and there’s so much at stake for employers. When benefits are aligned with your company’s values and workforce needs, they become a powerful driver of culture, business performance and long-term growth.”

The study shows there’s a gap between employers’ perceptions and the reality of how employees view modern benefits. While almost all employers (97%) say well-being is a priority, only 7 out of 10 employees (69%) agree their employers feel this way.

The research identifies opportunities for employers to help solve employee challenges, including retirement savings, making it paycheck to paycheck, job security and flexible work arrangements. “Effective communication and awareness are needed to better demonstrate commitment to employee well-being and highlight how benefits can meet each person’s unique needs,” Estep added.

Click here to view and download the study. The research was conducted with 2,946 full-time employees and 750 employers in the U.S. via national online surveys in January and February 2025. Visit prudential.com/employers/group-insurance for more information on Prudential Group Insurance’s portfolio of workplace benefits, absence management and risk mitigation solutions.