Financial stress hampers performance of 72% employees in Bangladesh: MetLife study

Financial stress is increasingly affecting workplace productivity in Bangladesh, with 72% of employees saying financial worries hamper their performance, up from 56% in 2025, according to a new study by MetLife Bangladesh.
The second edition of the Employee Benefits Trends Study (EBTS) also found that 72% of employees expect their employers to provide support during major unexpected expenses or financial difficulties, highlighting growing demand for workplace financial security.
The study points to a widening gap between employee expectations and employer support as workplaces undergo rapid technological change. While 55% of employees already use artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily work, with 91% of users reporting a positive impact, only 58% of employers encourage or facilitate its use.
Despite mounting financial pressures, employee job satisfaction increased to 83% in 2026 from 78% a year earlier. Demand for personalised employee benefits also rose sharply, with 86% expressing interest, compared with 65% in 2025.
Insurance and wellness benefits remain important to employee retention, with 79% saying these benefits would make them more loyal to their employers. Meanwhile, 85% of employers believe employee benefits play an important role in building workplace culture, up from 78% in 2025.
Retirement preparedness has also emerged as a major concern. The proportion of employees aged 40 and above without a retirement plan jumped to 81% in 2026 from 53% in 2025, pointing to a significant gap in long-term financial planning.
The study surveyed 709 respondents, including 583 employees and 126 employers, across sectors such as readymade garments, banking, FMCG, telecommunications, retail, manufacturing, NGOs and technology.
Commenting on the findings, MetLife Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Ala Ahmad said the future of work was not just about adopting new technology but also ensuring that employees feel supported as the workplace evolves.
The research brings together the perspectives of employers and employees to assess changing workplace expectations and the role of benefits in building a resilient workforce.
The findings underline the growing challenge for employers to address employees’ financial insecurity, strengthen retirement preparedness and adapt benefits to changing needs while keeping pace with technological advances.