Employee stress levels have risen sharply due to technological changes, digital transformation, and increasing competitive pressures. This is affecting both their productivity and job retention. In this context, it is now considered a key survival strategy for organizations not only to offer competitive salaries and benefits but also to prioritise employees’ mental well-being, leadership development, and the creation of a caring workplace culture.
These observations were made at the launch event of MetLife Bangladesh’s ‘Employee Benefit Trend Study 2025’. The event took place on Tuesday at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka. Speakers included Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the private research organization Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD); Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC; Naser Ejaz Bijoy, CEO of Standard Chartered Bangladesh; Yasir Azman, CEO of Grameenphone (GP); M H M Fairoz, Managing Director of Singer Bangladesh; and Ala Ahmad, Chief Executive Officer of MetLife Bangladesh.
Fahmida Khatun stated, “Retaining employees has become a major challenge. International organizations, in particular, have to take multiple measures to foster creativity and keep their employees motivated. The global market is highly uncertain, and countries like Bangladesh are also experiencing these impacts. Political, financial, and security uncertainties have increased. As a result, job security has become critically important for employees. Therefore, it is no longer sufficient to merely retain employees; ensuring their overall well-being is essential.”
She added, “Our industries are currently undergoing a variety of technological changes, digital transformations, and complex competition. This often leads to increased stress among employees, which in turn affects productivity.”
Asif Saleh of BRAC remarked, “Both employees’ skills and values must be evaluated. We clearly define which behaviors are acceptable within the organization and which are not. In the past, people memorized values but did not truly understand their meaning. Take honesty as an example—many used to think it only applied to financial matters, but it is far more comprehensive than that.”
Naser Ejaz Bijoy, CEO of Standard Chartered Bangladesh, said, “We have observed that although around 50 percent of recruits are women, their participation significantly decreases at the mid-management level. There are various social reasons behind this, such as marriage, children, and family responsibilities. We cannot control these personal priorities, but we strive to ensure that no one falls behind in their career due to lack of opportunity or an unfavorable environment.”
He further stated, “My biggest concern is the mindset of the younger generation. Recently, at an event in London, it was observed that young people are not buying property, getting married, or having children. Their lifestyles have changed significantly. They wish to live independently, which makes retention even more challenging.”
Ala Ahmad, CEO of MetLife Bangladesh, commented, “Our research indicates that financial pressures and lack of adequate benefits weaken employee productivity and morale. Employers now have an excellent opportunity. By providing extensive benefits, creating a caring workplace culture, and enhancing communication, they can set an example. Such initiatives will increase employee loyalty and serve as a driving force for long-term growth.”
Yasir Azman, CEO of Grameenphone, said, “The survey revealed that 78 percent of employees are satisfied with their roles and responsibilities. However, only 42 percent said they would recommend their organization to others. It would be worth examining why employees, despite being satisfied with their own work, are making so few recommendations about their organization.”
M H M Fairoz, Managing Director of Singer Bangladesh, stated, “The younger generation, particularly Gen Z employees, are more conscious about mental health, workplace flexibility, and financial pressures. Therefore, we must consider mental health and stress-related issues. At the same time, it is important to understand why they are unable to cope with stress effectively.”