MetLife Bangladesh has released its Employee Benefit Trends Study, offering insights into the priorities, challenges and expectations of private-sector employees and employers.
The findings revealed that financial insecurity and inadequate benefits are silently eroding productivity, engagement, and overall well-being 鈥� posing a challenge for organizations striving to build resilient, high-performing workplaces, said a press release.
The EBTS surveyed 571 employees and 142 employers across industries including RMG, banking, FMCG, telecom and NGOs.
鈥極ur research reveals a stark reality: financial stress and inadequate benefits are quietly undermining productivity and morale,鈥� said Ala Ahmad, chief executive officer of MetLife Bangladesh, at an event discussing the study.
鈥楨mployers have a unique opportunity to lead by offering comprehensive benefits, fostering a caring culture, and improving communication. Doing so will not only strengthen trust but also unlock sustainable business performance,鈥� he said.
鈥楤y prioritising care and trust, organisations can make benefits a powerful driver of productivity, loyalty and long-term growth,鈥� he added.
The study found that over 56 per cent of employees admitted that financial worries reduced their productivity and 41 per cent linked financial stress to mental health issues, while 67 per cent felt confident of their current financial state.
More than 53 per cent of employees reported that they had no retirement plan and nearly half wanted employer support to convert savings into income.
Meanwhile, 72 per cent of employees believed that their organisation cared about them, yet gaps persisted in well-being and advocacy. Employers that demonstrate cared through benefits and culture could significantly boost engagement and retention, the EBTS showed.
While 78 per cent of employees said that insurance and wellness benefits such as mental health support made them more loyal, there were large gap in offering these services. This disconnect created a trust deficit and by offering these benefits an opportunity for employers to differentiate.
Seventy per cent of employees said that they would use benefits more if they knew how peers utilised them, highlighting the need for personalised, year-round communication strategies.
Employers in Bangladesh are aware of the link between benefits and business performance, the release said. Nearly 56 per cent identify productivity and 49 per cent cite engagement as their biggest challenges, while 51 per cent have already increased investments in benefits over the past year to retain talent and boost morale.
Furthermore, 78 per cent acknowledged that benefits played a critical role in shaping workplace culture, yet many admitted that current offerings were not effectively reducing stress or financial burden.
