AI, Skills and Future of Work

We 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…

Change 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…

Global 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…

The 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…

AI 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

Your 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…

Why 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…

The 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.

The Quant Talent Crisis: Under 9% of Graduates Deemed Ready for AI & Machine Learning

A severe skills mismatch is threatening the growth of one of the world’s most technologically advanced sectors. A new survey by the CQF Institute reveals that less than nine percent of quantitative finance professionals believe new university graduates possess the AI and machine learning expertise needed to succeed in the field. This striking insight confirms a major failure in…

Myth Busted: The ATS Isn’t Rejecting Your Candidates, Overwhelmed Recruiters Are

A new study by Enhancv, based on interviews with 25 U.S. recruiters, has decisively debunked the viral claim that Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) automatically reject the majority of resumes. The findings reveal a critical truth for Talent Acquisition (TA) leaders: the real bottleneck in hiring is human capacity and application volume, not flawed AI. Contrary to…

The Future of Work: Deep Listening and AI Reshape Employee Experience Management

The landscape of employee experience (EX) management is undergoing a significant transformation. As organisations increasingly recognise that a thriving workforce is central to business success, the tools and strategies used to understand and improve EX are evolving at pace. A pivotal new guide for navigating this complex market is The Forrester Wave™: Employee Experience Management Platforms,…

Frontline Worker Platform Flip Secures Significant Investment with AI Focus

Leading the charge in digital solutions for the deskless workforce, Flip, a prominent provider of communication and HR tools, has recently secured a substantial £22.2 million (approximately $28 million USD) in an extension to its Series A funding round. This new investment, from existing backers, underscores a strong market confidence in platforms specifically designed to…