According to ADP Research’s People at Work 2025 report, workplace stress is easing across the globe, with Poland showing one of the most significant improvements. In 2024, only 7.5% of Polish employees reported experiencing daily work-related stress—down from 15% in 2023. This marks a dramatic drop from the pandemic peak in 2021, when the figure reached 19%.
Stress: A Double-Edged Sword
ADP distinguishes between two types of work-related stress:
- Positive stress (motivating): A boost of adrenaline from tight deadlines or high-stakes projects, often linked to increased productivity and skill development.
- Negative stress (overwhelming): Harmful pressure that leads to decreased performance and wellbeing.
How frequently workers experience stress affects how they perceive it. Those exposed to it daily are more likely to feel overwhelmed, while those under occasional stress are more likely to view it as motivating.
In Poland:
- 32% of workers view their stress as motivating.
- 13% say their stress is overwhelming.
- Only 7.5% report daily stress—less than half of the previous year’s level.
Poland’s Progress in Global Context
Stress levels vary globally. Daily work-related stress is most prevalent in:
- Japan (14%)
- Thailand (12%)
- France and Argentina (11%)
Meanwhile, countries like South Africa and China report the lowest rates (3%).
Poland, at 9%, falls mid-range, but stands out for the positive framing of stress:
- 32% of Polish workers perceive stress as motivating (equal to Spain and just behind Egypt at 41% and China at 40%).
- Among younger employees (19–27), only 5% report daily stress—the lowest globally.
- Employees aged 55+ are more affected, with 12% experiencing daily stress.
In contrast, stress is highest among younger workers in Japan and Thailand, and among older workers in Saudi Arabia.
The Role of Perception: Criticism, Control, and Trust
The report finds a strong link between perceived workplace judgment and increased stress:
- 32% of global workers feel judged—especially for using hybrid or remote work models.
- In Poland, that number jumps to 41%, significantly above the global average.
Employees who feel criticized are three times less likely to believe their work contributes to personal growth. Similarly, those who feel monitored are more prone to overwhelming stress.
In India (67%), Thailand (58%), and Singapore (48%), criticism and surveillance are particularly acute.
European countries, on the other hand, report the lowest monitoring rates, with Poland at 29% and Sweden at 23%.
“The absence of stress doesn’t guarantee development,” notes Nela Richardson, Chief Economist at ADP.
“Other factors—like trust in leadership and perceived freedom—are essential. Overstressed employees tend to be less productive and more likely to seek new jobs. Those who handle stress well, on the other hand, are more likely to stay.”
Latin America Leads in Positive Stress
Globally, Latin America reports the most optimistic results:
- 34% of workers feel their jobs help them grow.
- Only 10% feel overwhelmed.
Europe fares less favorably, with 19% of workers reporting overwhelming stress:
- Sweden (24%) and Czech Republic (23%) report the highest burnout.
- Poland, however, outperforms the region, with only 13% feeling overwhelmed and 32% saying stress helps them thrive.
Methodology: A Comprehensive Look at Worker Sentiment
People at Work 2025 is based on ADP Research’s Global Workforce Survey, which since 2015 has analyzed workplace trends through the eyes of employees.
- The 2025 edition includes data from nearly 38,000 workers across 34 markets on six continents.
- Respondents span industries, job types, seniority levels, and work models (on-site, hybrid, and remote).
- ADP’s proprietary methodology distinguishes between knowledge work, skilled labor, and routine tasks, offering unique granularity in comparing global trends.
Topics include:
- The impact of inflation on job security and multiple income streams
- Remote work and employer trust
- Career development and well-being
- AI and automation’s effect on worker sentiment
Source: CEO.com.pl – Daily Work Stress Declining: Poland Among Countries with Most Positive Change
