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Employee satisfaction and workplace engagement are showing encouraging signs in Bangladesh, with job satisfaction rising to 83 percent in 2026 from 78 percent a year earlier, according to a new study.
The study by MetLife Bangladesh also highlights the growing role of technology in the workplace, finding that 91 percent of employees who use artificial intelligence (AI) reported an improvement in their work experience.
The findings point to opportunities to build a more satisfied, engaged and future-ready workforce through technology, employee wellbeing and improved workplace benefits.
On the employer side, 85 percent said employee benefits play an important role in building workplace culture, up from 78 percent in 2025.
The findings are part of the second edition of MetLife Bangladesh’s Employee Benefits Trends Study (EBTS), which also points to rising employee expectations regarding workplace benefits.
The study found that 55 percent of employees already use AI in their daily work, while 91 percent of those users reported a positive impact on their work experience.
Meanwhile, 58 percent of employers currently encourage or enable the use of AI in the workplace. The study said employees were adopting AI faster than many organisations expected.
The findings suggest that AI readiness, employee wellbeing, financial security and workplace culture are becoming increasingly interconnected in Bangladesh’s workplaces.
As organisations adapt to technological change and evolving employee expectations, comprehensive benefits and meaningful employee support are emerging as important drivers of engagement, loyalty and business success, the study said.
However, financial stress remains a growing concern. The proportion of employees who said financial stress affects their productivity rose to 72 percent in 2026 from 56 percent a year earlier. The same proportion said they expected employer support during significant unexpected financial stress or expenses.
Interest in personalised benefits also rose sharply, from 65 percent to 86 percent. Insurance and wellness benefits continue to influence employee loyalty, with 79 percent saying such benefits would make them more loyal to their employer, compared with 78 percent in 2025.
Retirement preparedness is another area of concern. The proportion of employees aged 40 and above without a retirement plan increased from 53 percent to 81 percent, the study found.
The study surveyed 583 employees and 126 employers, involving a total of 709 respondents from industries including readymade garments, banking, FMCG, telecommunications, retail, manufacturing, NGOs and technology. The research was conducted in 2026.
Commenting on the findings, MetLife Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Ala Ahmad said the workplace of the future was not only about adopting new technology but also about ensuring that employees felt supported as the world of work changed.
“For the second time, our research brings together the perspectives of both employers and employees in Bangladesh, helping identify evolving needs, expectations and opportunities,” he said.
He said the findings could help employers make better-informed decisions while enabling employees to better understand and communicate their needs.
“By bringing together technology, financial security, wellbeing and relevant benefits, we can help build a more engaged, resilient and future-ready workforce,” he added.
