What’s new?
The fortnightly read for people building employee experience.
For the senior people in HR and EX, and those on their way there.
UK Job Market 2026 Update: Professional hiring rose in Q2 as IT vacancies jumped 42%
In a Nutshell UK professional hiring picked up in the second quarter of 2026, according to job posting data from recruitment firm Robert Half. Vacancies across core professional sectors rose between January to March and April to June, a shift from the caution that marked the start of the year, although annual comparisons remain subdued…
2–3 minutesthe facts behind ai job replacement fears: Only 5.1% Are at Risk.
AI job replacement is one of the biggest fears of this generation. But what does the data say? Automation is spreading across the American workforce at a record pace. One in five US jobs is now at least 50% automated. Most leaders look at that number and see a crisis. They see a future where…
6–9 minutesWe Forced Everyone Back. They Still Don’t Talk.
Most leadership teams viewed the return to office as the ultimate fix for a fragmenting culture. They assumed physical proximity would naturally repair the social fabric torn by years of remote work. The latest data suggests otherwise. Simply put, RTO has failed to deliver the connection leaders promised. Kahoot!’s 2026 Workplace Culture and Connection Report…
3–4 minutesChange Management Has Overtaken Belonging as the #1 Engagement Driver : Perceptyx 2026 Data
Employee engagement drivers have shifted. For years, belonging sat at the top of the list for HR leaders. The latest data from the Perceptyx 2026 Benchmark Database reveals that change management is now the primary factor determining whether employees stay engaged. This shift marks one of the most significant changes in workplace sentiment recorded over…
4–6 minutesGlobal Engagement Just Hit 20% : the Lowest Since 2020. Gallup 2026 Report
Global employee engagement dropped to 20 percent in 2025 according to the latest Gallup State of the Global Workplace 2026 report. This figure represents the lowest level of engagement recorded since 2020. The decline marks a second consecutive year of falling numbers. Most employees today show up to work without any emotional or psychological connection…
4–6 minutesThe Future Leaders Hiding in Your Recognition Data: A Conversation with Workhuman’s KeyAnna Schmiedl
In conversation with KeyAnna Schmiedl, Chief Human Experience Officer, Workhuman Workhuman has spent 25 years telling companies that recognition matters. Its newest product argues recognition data can identify your future leaders years before your succession planning would. I sat down with KeyAnna Schmiedl, who runs the entire people function at Workhuman and lives with this…
5–7 minutesAI Was Cited in Over 100,000 Layoffs This Year : What That Means for HR
In the first six months of 2026, the 101,743 cuts attributed to AI indicate a massive acceleration in technology adoption
5–8 minutesYour H2 2026 Events Calendar: What’s Coming Up in EX, HR, DEI and Future of Work
The second half of 2026 is busy. Between massive tech showcases in Las Vegas and intimate leadership summits in London, the calendar is full of opportunities to refine your people strategy. Staying updated on the latest shifts in employee experience (EX) and workplace culture is a full-time job. Attending the right events helps you cut…
6–8 minutesWhy 41% of Workers Would Trade a Pay Rise for Better Training
By Esther Smith Talent and Lifecycle In a Nutshell A survey of 505 US hospitality workers found that 41% would choose better workplace training over a 5% pay rise. Among 25 to 34 year olds, that rose to 54%, making this the only age group where training beat pay. The more interesting finding is not…
5–8 minutesHow HR teams can turn recognition into a driver of trust, retention and performance
The stereotype of the British workplace is polite, understated and a balance of professional diligence and social camaraderie. Brits are not known for effusive praise or open displays of appreciation.
3–4 minutesThe Death of the Ping Pong Table: Why Perks Never Solved the Real Problem
Global employee engagement fell to 20% in 2025, the lowest level Gallup has recorded since 2020. That marks two straight years of decline.
4–6 minutesFeeling Less Motivated After Your Performance Review? You’re Not Alone
New Robert Walters research highlights growing pressure on employers to balance workforce engagement, progression expectations and cost control
2–3 minutes
What’s coming up in EX
12 — 13 Jun
Unleash World
Lisbon · ExCeL
14 Jun PM
CIPD Festival of Work
ExCeL London
9 Jul
Future of Work Summit
London, UK
17–18 Jul
EX Tech Europe
Amsterdam, NL
From Our Partners
Three places HR is overpaying on health insurance: how tech-driven benefit platforms improve compliance and cost savings
Healthcare premiums are projected to climb 9 to 10 per cent in 2026. Compliance complexity is up. Headcount is under scrutiny. The Hartford’s 2026 Future of Benefits Study found that 73 per cent of HR professionals have seen their day-to-day responsibilities increase, 60 per cent actively worry about maintaining compliance, and 64 per cent struggle…
In partnership with EXM Sponsor
The UK’s ‘Green Credibility Gap’: Employee Trust Trails HR’s Sustainability Ambitions
UK companies are leading Europe in integrating sustainability into their HR strategies (68% vs. 55% European average), even outpacing countries facing strict EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) rules. However, new research from SD Worx reveals an urgent problem for British organizations: a significant 18% credibility gap exists between what employers claim about their sustainability efforts and what…
In partnership with EXM Sponsor
Reach 80,000 HR & People Leaders Every Month
Sponsored content, advertising and event partnerships tailored to the employee experience audience.