Nearly half of female employees are calling for more flexible working options, as research has revealed a clear gender gap in workplace wellbeing.
A survey of 1,046 UK employees, from provider YuLife, found that although investment in employee wellbeing has grown, only 54 percent of women rate their wellbeing as ‘good’, compared to 63 percent of men.
Flexible working was the most in-demand benefit, with 46 percent of women saying it is their top request this year. However, demand for greater work-life balance is in direct contrast to moves by many employers to get people back into the office. Researchers said this conflict is potentially impacting employee wellbeing and retention.
Paid wellness days or sabbaticals were the second most sought-after perk, which researchers said mirrors the shift towards workplace cultures that actively support mental and physical wellbeing.
Health insurance was the third most requested employee benefit in 2025.
Financial wellness was found to be a key concern for employees as 40 percent said they would look for a new job this year as a result of inadequate pay or low salary increases.
Survey respondents identified economic uncertainty and job security as key concerns for this year, with 23 percent and 20 percent citing them respectively.
Researchers said the results show the importance of maintaining competitive salaries and offering employer-provided financial benefits to help reduce financial stress.
Sammy Rubin, CEO and co-founder of YuLife, said that the research makes it clear that workplace wellbeing is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
“Women, in particular, are feeling the strain, and employers must step up with policies that support work-life balance and financial security. Flexible working, meaningful financial support, and tools that improve employee wellbeing are no longer perks—they’re essential in 2025.”
Further survey findings revealed that a quarter of workers who experienced poor wellbeing would like access to better mental health support at work, while employees over 55 and workers under 35 reported the highest levels of happiness at work.
The research is detailed in YuLife’s report ‘What employees want: workplace wellbeing trends for 2025′.
