PRESS RELEASE
from The Stepstone Group
Economic situation weighs on every second employee – At the same time, many teams are growing closer together
EQS-Media / 18.11.2025 / 10:12 CET/CEST
Press Release
Economic situation weighs on every second employee – At the same time, many teams are growing closer together
Younger employees in particular feel the growing pressure in their daily work. 64% of those under 35 say they are doing more work than before the economic downturn. Among older employees, the average is 50%. Younger employees also work overtime more frequently than older ones (age group 18–34: 45%; compared to an average of 35% in the 35–70 age group).
“Economic crises reveal how resilient organisations truly are,” says Atena Rabou-Degenkolbe, Head of Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding at The Stepstone Group. “As budgets shrink and pressure rises, team collaboration often makes all the difference. When employees take responsibility and support each other, it creates stability in everyday working life.”
Despite rising pressure: Many teams are growing closer together
This is also reflected in the survey results. Despite the increasing workload, the crisis has had positive effects on interpersonal dynamics: many teams say they are collaborating better than before. One in four (25%) respondents says team cohesion has improved, and 27% report more mutual support.
Willingness to learn new skills is also growing: 52% of employees say they are developing new capabilities, and the same proportion reports taking on more responsibility than before.
“The current economic situation demands a lot from employees,” says Rabou-Degenkolbe. “Crises test teams, but they can also strengthen them. What matters is how you respond. Now is the time to communicate openly and find solutions together. Good leadership means providing direction and encouragement, even when decisions aren’t easy to make.”
Between pressure and optimism: How employees view 2026
Looking ahead, few employees expect quick relief. Three quarters (73%) believe their professional situation will remain unchanged in 2026, and only one third (33%) expects improvement. Still, many are determined to take action themselves: 61% say they want to use this time to further develop their skills. This shows that even amid uncertainty, many recognise opportunities.
About the study
The data in this survey is based on online interviews with members of the YouGov panel who had previously agreed to participate. For this survey, a total of 539 employees (without specific leadership responsibility) were interviewed between 11 and 17 September 2025. The survey was quota-based and the results were weighted. The sample is representative according to company size, gender and age of employees, six NACE economic sectors, and company distribution across Nielsen regions.
About The Stepstone Group
The Stepstone Group is a leading global digital recruitment platform that connects companies with the right talent and helps people find the right job. AI-driven job marketplaces and programmatic-powered marketing solutionsconnect about 140 million job applications with more than 130,000 employers every year. In 2024, The Stepstone Group generated revenue of over €900 million. The Stepstone Group operates in more than 30 countries - including Stepstone in Germany, Appcast in the USA and Totaljobs in the UK. The company is headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany and employs about 3,000 people worldwide. For more information: www.thestepstonegroup.com/english
Contact
The Stepstone Group Press
press@stepstone.com
Economic situation weighs on every second employee – At the same time, many teams are growing closer together
- Stepstone survey shows: More than half of employees have felt increased pressure, shrinking budgets, and less planning certainty in recent months
- Despite pressure and uncertainty, team spirit remains stable in most companies. One in four employees even reports stronger cohesion
- Three quarters expect the situation to remain challenging in 2026 – many are using the time for personal development
Younger employees in particular feel the growing pressure in their daily work. 64% of those under 35 say they are doing more work than before the economic downturn. Among older employees, the average is 50%. Younger employees also work overtime more frequently than older ones (age group 18–34: 45%; compared to an average of 35% in the 35–70 age group).
“Economic crises reveal how resilient organisations truly are,” says Atena Rabou-Degenkolbe, Head of Talent Acquisition & Employer Branding at The Stepstone Group. “As budgets shrink and pressure rises, team collaboration often makes all the difference. When employees take responsibility and support each other, it creates stability in everyday working life.”
Despite rising pressure: Many teams are growing closer together
This is also reflected in the survey results. Despite the increasing workload, the crisis has had positive effects on interpersonal dynamics: many teams say they are collaborating better than before. One in four (25%) respondents says team cohesion has improved, and 27% report more mutual support.
Willingness to learn new skills is also growing: 52% of employees say they are developing new capabilities, and the same proportion reports taking on more responsibility than before.
“The current economic situation demands a lot from employees,” says Rabou-Degenkolbe. “Crises test teams, but they can also strengthen them. What matters is how you respond. Now is the time to communicate openly and find solutions together. Good leadership means providing direction and encouragement, even when decisions aren’t easy to make.”
Between pressure and optimism: How employees view 2026
Looking ahead, few employees expect quick relief. Three quarters (73%) believe their professional situation will remain unchanged in 2026, and only one third (33%) expects improvement. Still, many are determined to take action themselves: 61% say they want to use this time to further develop their skills. This shows that even amid uncertainty, many recognise opportunities.
About the study
The data in this survey is based on online interviews with members of the YouGov panel who had previously agreed to participate. For this survey, a total of 539 employees (without specific leadership responsibility) were interviewed between 11 and 17 September 2025. The survey was quota-based and the results were weighted. The sample is representative according to company size, gender and age of employees, six NACE economic sectors, and company distribution across Nielsen regions.
About The Stepstone Group
The Stepstone Group is a leading global digital recruitment platform that connects companies with the right talent and helps people find the right job. AI-driven job marketplaces and programmatic-powered marketing solutionsconnect about 140 million job applications with more than 130,000 employers every year. In 2024, The Stepstone Group generated revenue of over €900 million. The Stepstone Group operates in more than 30 countries - including Stepstone in Germany, Appcast in the USA and Totaljobs in the UK. The company is headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany and employs about 3,000 people worldwide. For more information: www.thestepstonegroup.com/english
Contact
The Stepstone Group Press
press@stepstone.com
End of Media Release
Issuer: The Stepstone Group
Key word(s): Services
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| Language: | English |
| Company: | The Stepstone Group |
| Völklinger Straße 1 | |
| 40219 Düsseldorf | |
| Germany | |
| Internet: | https://www.thestepstonegroup.com/de/ |
| EQS News ID: | 2231204 |
| End of News | EQS Media |
2231204 18.11.2025 CET/CEST