82% of executives at large businesses say they're more stressed in 2025 than last year, citing supply chain disruptions and economic uncertainty
STEVENS POINT, Wis., May 5, 2025 -- In a new report released by Sentry, a leading business insurer, 60% of executives at large businesses reveal they expect their companies to remain flat or shrink in 2025.
Large companies seek flexibility to adapt their operations to a heightened and often uncertain risk environment.
The report, based on a survey of 1,100 business owners, CEOs, CFOs, and CROs at U.S. companies, was conducted by Wakefield Research on behalf of Sentry. It revealed that 82% of large business leaders are more stressed in 2025 than last year—a figure that's 15 percentage points higher than that reported by leaders at smaller organizations.
Reflecting upon their higher stress levels in 2025, C-suite leaders of large companies cite several risks facing their companies—leading many to suggest a focus on stability and cost-control.
Top threats according to large business leaders:
- Economic concerns: Nearly half (45%) of executives cite supply chain issues as their biggest worry, alongside economic uncertainty (39%) and inflation (34%).
- External threats: A vast majority (84%) say they view rising litigation and multi-million-dollar verdicts as a growing problem in their industry. More than one-third also cited cyberattacks (37%) and severe weather events (35%) as top threats.
Large companies' responses to threats:
- Asking more of workers: As 60% of executives at large companies expect their businesses to remain flat or shrink, 55% admit they're asking current employees to work longer hours or take fewer breaks. 43% expect their workers to increase their current output in 2025.
- Cost-control efforts: 100% of executives at large businesses say they've delayed upgrades due to cost pressures. Still, 99% are shifting more resources toward safety—a strategy that supports the efforts of 51% who say they're willing to shoulder more risk when it comes to business insurance, such as taking on higher deductibles to lower their insurance costs.
- Putting focus on logistics and drivers: 98% of large business leaders say their companies depend on company drivers. With the supply chain acting as a top stressor—and an industrywide reliance on in-house drivers—100% of leaders report having taken corrective action, including dismissal, on drivers who failed to follow safe driving practices. And with risk monitoring being comparatively difficult when drivers are on the road, 82% report using dashcams in company vehicles.
"Large companies are balancing complex risks" says Jeff Cole, AVP of National Accounts at Sentry. "They're seeking flexibility because they see the need to adapt their operations to a heightened—and in many cases, uncertain—risk environment.
"The silver lining is that it's driving more conversations about what adequate protection really looks like moving forward," Cole added.
To download the full report, including key concerns and executive sentiment, visit: 2025 C-Suite Stress Index: Large Businesses.
About the survey
Wakefield Research conducted a survey of 1,100 U.S. executives with a minimum of 10 employees, where qualifying roles were as follows: business owner, CEOs, CFOs, CROs, between November 25 and December 9, 2024, using an email invitation and online survey. The survey included 100 executives from large enterprise companies (1,000+ employees).
About Sentry Insurance
Sentry Insurance is part of one of the largest and most financially secure mutual insurance groups in the United States, holding a Financial Strength Rating of A+ (superior) from AM Best, current as of June 2024. See ambest.com/ratings/guide.pdf for rating information. Sentry and its subsidiaries sell property and casualty insurance, life insurance, annuities, and retirement programs for business and individuals throughout the country. Headquartered in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Sentry employs more than 6,000 associates across the country. See a complete list of underwriting companies at sentry.com.
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