Small changes, big impact: How employers can empower better everyday wellbeing

Small shifts in daily habits can transform workforce health – and your bottom line. Conor Barry, Physical Wellbeing Lead at Benifex, unpacks the latest evidence on how movement, micro-breaks and mindfulness can help reduce absenteeism, boost mental resilience and improve sleep. If you want to build a culture of proactive wellbeing, this is where to start.
The authenticity trap: When authentic leadership goes too far

Authentic leadership is often treated as a non-negotiable ideal, praised as a hallmark of trustworthiness, courage and clarity. But what happens when it crosses the line into self-indulgence? Lisa Stone, head of coaching at Right Management, brings a pragmatic, values-driven lens to a pressing question: can being “authentic” go too far?
Mediation lessons for HR in a divided world

With conflict on the rise at work, internationally renowned mediator Jane Gunn shares how HR professionals can use mediation strategies to rebuild trust, reduce polarisation and support open dialogue.
Is giving an opinion no longer acceptable?

If nearly a third of people don’t feel safe taking risks or sharing thoughts with colleagues, are different viewpoints and ideas outside of the box truly valued anymore?
The mental health of HR: What 1,400 voices tell us about a profession in distress

Dr Jo Burrell explores the findings of the 2025 HR Mental Wellbeing Survey, revealing a profession in psychological distress. She calls for urgent, systemic support to protect the wellbeing, retention, and effectiveness of HR professionals.
Taskmaster’s Alex Horne joins headliners at CIPD Festival of Work 2025

The HRZone team is gearing up for this year’s CIPD Festival of Work on 11–12 June. With two days of inspiring sessions and hands-on experiences – all completely free – it’s a standout event for festivalgoers passionate about shaping better workplaces. Will we see you there?
Building an inclusive culture at Media Zoo: Leadership lessons from Yasmine Alani

How can one individual successfully lead culture change? Yasmine Alani, Workplace Transformation Director at Media Zoo, opens up about her unrelenting focus on workplace inclusion, and its remarkable impact on both people and the business.
Avoid a BBC-style culture crisis: 10 ways to keep your workplace healthy

Following the BBC’s recent workplace review findings, Andrew Loveless of Pecan Partnership shares 10 actions for business leaders to keep their workplace culture healthy and crisis-free.
Overcoming a defensive culture at Pharmacist Support

How can an organisation turn a defensive culture into one where best intentions are assumed? Melissa Cochrane of Pharmacist Support shares her experiences of navigating this behaviour change at the charity.
What can a play about football teach us about leadership?

Sometimes the best leadership lessons don’t come from the boardroom. They come from the stage. Here, Leadership expert Deborah Wain shares three insightful takeaways from a stage production on Gareth Southgate’s tenure with England’s football team.
Progress through transparency: A turning point for disability inclusion in the workplace

Following the publication of a landmark report on workplace disability inclusion, Gethin Nadin urges employers to move past quotas and give disabled people the opportunities they deserve.
Over half of leaders regret replacing people with AI: Will you be next?

In the race for artificial intelligence (AI), firms have already begun to make redundancies. But a recent survey from Orgvue reveals that over half of business leaders now regret their decision. Quentin Millington of Marble Brook explores how replacing people with machines may do more harm than good.
Out with ‘ostriching’, in with tackling challenging conversations head-on

By avoiding awkward conversations, we could be making the situation worse. As uncomfortable as it may feel, we need to communicate and, oftentimes, do so sooner rather than later. Here’s how.
The compassionate leadership guide: A five-step model for building caring communities at work

Belonging to a cohesive group is a fundamental human need, yet forging strong connections is difficult in our tech-obsessed, individualistic world. It’s no surprise, then, that ‘Community’ is this year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week (12–18 May 2025). Here, Karen Liebenguth explores how leaders can enable caring communities at work to underpin a supportive work culture where people feel they belong.
Ten ways to inspire and encourage intrapreneurship

Organisational innovation has never been more important. Harnessing this means learning from and nurturing our risk taking, visionary and resourceful intrapreneurs. With buy-in and direction from leadership, intrapreneurs can add real knowledge and value to organisations.
The BBC’s workplace culture review: An expert’s reaction

Workplace culture expert Ellie Herriot shares her thoughts on the BBC’s workplace culture review from earlier this week.
Holding the rope after the UK Supreme Court verdict: A guide for inclusive HR leadership

How can organisations respect the Supreme Court’s clarification of “woman” in the Equality Act while continuing to uphold their commitment to trans and nonbinary inclusion? In a values-led call to action, inclusion expert Joanna Lockwood urges leaders to hold the rope and build cultures where everyone still belongs.
Disability pay gap reporting: More harm than good?

Business Disability Forum’s new research shows mandatory disability pay gap reporting may not be the answer to workplace inclusion. It might even lead to damaging consequences for both employers and disabled employees.
You can’t automate compassion: Strong culture starts with human leaders, not AI

As companies across most industries race to adopt AI, are we forgetting that culture, empathy, and leadership can’t be automated?
HR Technologies UK 2025: Shaping the future of HR and recruitment

Join us at HR Technologies UK 2025 to keep pace with new innovations and fresh perspectives shaping the industry.