What Employees Really Worry About - and Why Protection Matters More Than Ever

An HR leader’s perspective

As HR leaders, we spend a lot of time talking about engagement, culture and performance. But beneath the surface, many employees are carrying very real worries that shape how they show up at work every day.

When you look closely at what employees actually worry about, a clear theme emerges: financial security and personal resilience. And in today’s climate, these concerns are growing, not shrinking.

Here’s what employees are telling us they’re worried about - and how employee protection benefits like PG Protect can play a meaningful role in easing those fears.

1. Job security: the fear that underpins everything else 

For many employees, the biggest worry isn’t about career progression or recognition - it’s whether they’ll still have a job tomorrow so that they can pay their bills.

Research shows that job security to cover bills is the top work-related fear of employees. One customer summed it up starkly:

(Source: Trustpilot)

This fear isn’t irrational. Large-scale layoffs, economic uncertainty and rising living costs all contribute to a constant sense of vulnerability. When income feels fragile, everything else - from mental health to engagement - is affected.

While employers can’t always remove the risk of job loss, they can help employees feel more financially resilient if the unexpected happens. Employee-paid and employer-supported protection products, such as income protection or life insurance, offer reassurance that there’s a safety net in place. That peace of mind matters more than we sometimes realise.

2. Work overload and burnout: when pressure becomes personal

Another fear employees face is being overloaded at work. Long hours, constant pressure and the expectation to “do more with less” are taking a toll.

Studies show that working excessive hours significantly increases the risk of heart attack and stroke, while productivity drops sharply after around 55 hours a week. Even engaged employees aren’t immune - in fact, many are quietly burning out.

Burnout doesn’t just affect performance; it increases the likelihood of sickness absence, stress-related illness and long-term health issues.

(Source: WHO)

When employees become ill or are forced to step away from work due to stress or health issues, financial worries often compound the problem. Protection benefits can help cover income gaps or provide support during recovery, reducing anxiety at a time when employees need to focus on getting better.

3. Unequal fear: some employees worry more than others

Not all employees experience workplace fears equally. Younger workers, parents, those who’ve experienced previous workplace issues and people living in urban areas often report higher levels of concern.

Issues around equality, fairness, and psychological safety still weigh heavily for many. As one respondent put it:

(Source: Trustpilot)

For HR leaders, this highlights an important truth: a one-size-fits-all approach to wellbeing doesn’t work.

A flexible protection offering allows employees to choose cover that reflects their personal circumstances. Giving people choice - rather than prescribing a single benefit - is a powerful way to demonstrate fairness, inclusion and genuine care. 

4. The role of leadership: replacing fear with confidence

One of the most consistent findings in employee research is this: people feel less fearful when they feel heard.

Transparent communication, visible leadership and thoughtful policy decisions all help reduce the fear of the unknown. Employees are more loyal when they believe their employer is actively considering their wellbeing, not just business outcomes.

But words alone aren’t enough.

Offering protection benefits sends a clear, tangible message: we’ve thought about what could go wrong, and we want to help you prepare for it. It moves wellbeing from a conversation to an action.

PG Protect is designed to support employees through life’s uncertainties, without adding unnecessary cost or complexity for employers. Whether offered as an employee-paid benefit or supported by the employer, it gives people access to financial protection that many wouldn’t arrange on their own.

For HR leaders, it helps bridge the gap between care and practicality:

• Supporting financial wellbeing alongside mental and physical health
• Offering reassurance during uncertain times
• Demonstrating genuine commitment to employee security

Employees’ worries aren’t abstract. They’re personal, emotional and often rooted in financial reality. As HR leaders, we can’t remove every risk - but we can help people feel better prepared to face them.

In a world where uncertainty is the norm, employee protection isn’t a “nice to have”. It’s becoming a core part of how responsible employers support, retain and value their people.

Source:
Who