Employee wellbeing and workplace stress trends

Reports indicate rising levels of stress and declining wellbeing among employees, particularly in Romania. Data shows that workplace stress in Romania has increased from 35% in the 2021-2022 period to 38% in 2025, with 14% of employees reporting intense anger.

Recent findings highlight that high workloads are impacting daily routines. An Edenred study involving nearly 3,000 individuals reveals that the proportion of Romanian workers taking less than 30 minutes for lunch has risen to 78%, while 69% report skipping meals either daily or occasionally. While 65% of employees note that lunch improves energy and concentration, and 44% value the social interaction, these breaks are being sacrificed due to professional pressure.

Financial factors also play a role in employee wellbeing. Approximately 83% of surveyed workers believe their purchasing power would decrease without meal vouchers, particularly as 65% of respondents spend more than 30% of their total household budget on food. Research suggests that increasing voucher values could improve meal quality. Additionally, workplace pressure and concerns regarding professional standing continue to prevent many employees from utilizing their full legal entitlement of 20 days of annual leave, a lack of recovery time linked to burnout and higher turnover rates.