Irish workplaces have a powerful, often underestimated driver of success: their culture. The new 2025 Employee Experience in Ireland report by Great Place to Work shines a spotlight on what it’s really like to work at the average Irish workplace, and the opportunities they can unlock to truly make their workplaces Great.
Based on robust research from nearly 60,000 employees across Ireland, this study explores trust, flexibility, wellbeing, and other forces shaping Ireland’s talent landscape. The findings reveal critical opportunities for Irish organisations to strengthen leadership, improve retention, and build cultures that are not just good for people, but great for business.
Here’s a glimpse of what’s inside:
Trust Is Ireland’s Competitive Advantage
Trust isn’t a soft metric — it’s a strategic one. The Ireland Employee Experience Report shows that Ireland ranks above the European average for trust in leadership, with 59% of Irish employees saying they work in high-trust environments, compared to 55% across Europe. At Ireland’s Best Workplaces™, that figure soars to 85%, proving that when good leadership is prioritised, employees respond with stronger engagement, autonomy, and commitment.
But the benefits go beyond engagement — they translate directly into business performance. Countries with higher levels of trust in leadership tend to achieve stronger productivity, as measured by GDP per hour worked. Ireland stands out here too, outperforming many European peers, which underlines how trust fuels innovation, discretionary effort, and operational efficiency. When employees trust their leaders, they’re more willing to collaborate, adapt, and go the extra mile — all critical drivers of sustained competitive advantage.
Snippet from the Employee Experience Report 2025 by Great Place to Work®
Still, there’s room to grow: even in Ireland’s top-performing organisations, gaps remain between how senior leaders and frontline employees experience trust. Bridging these gaps will be vital to maintaining Ireland’s productivity edge in the years ahead.
Wellbeing as a Business Imperative
Ireland scores well on psychological safety:
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55% of Irish employees say their workplace is psychologically and emotionally healthy, above the European average of 53%.
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In the Best Workplaces for Health & Wellbeing™, this leaps to 84%, underscoring how intentional cultures make wellbeing a priority.
However, the story varies by sector. Hospitality and healthcare continue to report a lower level of mental wellbeing, despite their critical roles in the economy. Addressing workload and providing support isn’t just a moral choice — it’s essential for sustainable growth.
Retention and the Talent Challenge
Retaining talent has emerged as a key area where Irish organisations can differentiate themselves. The data shows many Irish employees are open to change, making it more important than ever for organisations to build cultures where people want to stay and grow.
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35% of Irish employees are open to new job opportunities this year.
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Another 22% say they’d like to leave, with only 43% firmly happy where they are.
What keeps people? The report highlights career development, leadership transparency, and meaningful work as key retention levers. Organisations that invest in growth pathways and purpose-driven cultures will be best placed to hold onto their talent.
Certification Sets Employers Apart
In Ireland’s competitive talent market, external validation matters.
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70% of Irish employees say they’d be more likely to want to work for a Certified™ organisation, well above the European average of 55%.
That means Great Place to Work Certification™ isn’t just a badge — it’s a magnet for attracting and retaining skilled people. It also provides a proven roadmap to strengthen trust, culture, and long-term performance.
Snippet from the Employee Experience Report 2025 by Great Place to Work®
Ready to See Where Your Organisation Stands?
This is just a snapshot. The full 2025 Employee Experience in Ireland report dives deeper, with sector breakdowns, key benchmarks, and expert insights to help you navigate the evolving world of work. Download the full report below.
Want to unlock these insights and see how your culture compares?
Get Certified™ with Great Place to Work and start building a high-trust, high-performance environment where your people (and your business) can truly thrive. Watch our on-demand webinar to explore what’s involved in Certification and how it can transform your organisation.
About Great Place to Work®
Great Place to Work® is the global authority on workplace culture. We help organisations quantify their culture and produce better business results by creating a high-trust work experience for all employees. We recognise Great Place to Work-Certified™ companies and the Best Workplaces™ in more than 60 countries. To join the thousands of companies that have committed to building high-trust company cultures that help them attract, retain and take care of their people, contact us about getting Certified today.
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