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The fortnightly read for people building employee experience.
For the senior people in HR and EX, and those on their way there.
The 12.5x Multiplier: Why Meaningful Work is the Ultimate Engagement Lever
Meaningful work drives employee commitment and performance in the modern workplace. While many organizations focus on perks and physical office amenities, the underlying sense of purpose drives actual business outcomes. Data from the 2026 ADP Research Institute study reveals a stark reality for global leadership. Only 19% of workers are fully engaged on the job,…
4–6 minutesShadow AI: New research shows 42% of Employees Are Using AI in Secret
Shadow AI is the hidden risk in your organisation. Employees are using AI tools covertly, hiding their activities from management, and feeling guilty about it. New data from the Employment Hero AI Paradox Report 2026 reveals that 42% of employees feel like they are cheating when they use AI at work. This “guilt gap” creates…
5–7 minutesEmployee Loyalty Is Conditional: Why Workers Are Staying but Not Committed
Employee loyalty is not a default state. It is the result of an ongoing negotiation. In 2026, the terms of this negotiation have fundamentally shifted. While retention figures suggest a stable workforce, the reality beneath the surface is far more complex. Workers are staying in their roles, yet their commitment is no longer a given….
6–9 minutesThe Two Opposite Bets on Graduate Jobs UK: Why the Entry-Level Market Is Splitting in Two
The entry-level hiring landscape is currently witnessing a massive strategic divergence. Business leaders are placing two entirely different bets on the future of work. On one side, companies are pulling back from traditional pipelines while they wait for AI to prove its worth. On the other, global giants like IBM and Cognizant are aggressively expanding…
5–7 minutesSupporting Employee Mental Health This Summer: A Guide for Employers
Midsummer mental health pressures on employees stem from holiday cover workloads, disrupted sleep from heat and light, and the stress of balancing family summer holidays. This seasonal shift erodes the boundaries between professional and personal life. We see a trend where holiday planning, childcare adjustments, and hosting duties collide with catching up on deferred tasks….
5–8 minutesGlobal hiring update: UK Demand for AI Talent to Narrow the Eastern European Tech Pay Gap By 10 Points By 2028
New global hiring analysis finds growing international demand for AI, cyber and cloud talent is reshaping global salary expectations London, UK, 1 July 2026 – Rising demand from UK businesses for AI, cyber and cloud talent is expected to accelerate salary growth across emerging tech markets over the next three years, according to new research from…
2–4 minutesThe Great Unbossing: How a Flat Hierarchy Killed Middle Management at 4 Companies
As companies lean into AI and autonomous workflows, the case for multiple approval layers looks weaker.
4–7 minutesNeurodiversity at Work: A Practical Guide to Inclusive Hiring and Retention in 2026
According to 2026 data from Understood, 78% of neurodivergent candidates report that traditional hiring processes create significant disadvantages.
5–8 minutesDespite $113 Billion Leadership Market, 58% of New Managers Receive No New Manager Training
The global leadership development market reached a record $113 billion in 2026. Data shows that developing middle managers has remained the top priority for HR leaders for three consecutive years. Yet a stark paradox remains at the heart of corporate Britain and beyond. Despite this massive investment, 58% of people promoted into leadership roles receive…
4–6 minutesToxic Leadership: 6 in 10 Workers Have a Toxic Boss and the Problem Isn’t Personal — It’s Systemic
Toxic leadership is a pervasive epidemic in the modern workplace. You’ve probably had a bad boss or experienced toxic leadership, I know I have. Recent data reveals that 6 in 10 workers currently report to a toxic boss. This is not a matter of a few bad apples or individual character flaws. It is a…
5–7 minutesShorts in the Office: What 68% of Britons Tell Us About Trust at Work
Allowing shorts in the office is a small win for employee experience. The conversation around dress codes is really a conversation about autonomy. But the underlying trust is the real prize.
7–10 minutesEU Pay Transparency Directive: The 6-Month Prep Guide for HR Leaders
The EU Pay Transparency Directive sets minimum rules for pay transparency, equal pay enforcement, and employer reporting across EU member states.
5–7 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…
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