Financial wellbeing in 2026: The crisis is real, but not insurmountable

The latest research is alarming. Financial stress drives absence, distraction and lost productivity – and almost half of UK adults now feel the strain of money troubles. In this evidence-packed piece, Benifex’s Gethin Nadin highlights the crisis we’ve arrived at. In 2026, he urges employers to take one clear, tangible step to build financial resilience and, in turn, improve performance.

Time to reflect – why does it matter in the workplace?

If the period between Christmas and New Year is a quieter one for you, it’s the perfect opportunity to reflect. Here, Wellbeing and leadership coach Karen Liebenguth provides a relfection toolkit to help you get started.

The eight personalities involved in change management programmes

a close up of a light on a wall

Change programmes succeed or fail based on people. This framework identifies eight distinct personality types you’ll encounter in any change initiative – from Champions who drive momentum to Saboteurs who undermine progress – and shows you how to work effectively with each one.

Hiring executive leaders in the US: What foreign companies need to know

If you’re organisation is looking to break into the US market, securing a strong leadership team in America is essential. Without external recruitment support, you risk making a bad hire and delaying your expansion. Thomas Lore from Pact and Partners highlights the complexities of hiring US executives and how a smart search partner can help you navigate the confusing world of compliance, pay and employer rules.

Should HR own the organisation’s AI strategy?

As AI tightens its grip on our workplaces, who should own the organisation’s AI strategy? And, what is the role for HR as organisations embrace this disruptive technology? Quentin Millington of Marble Brook looks at what makes sense, in terms of both strategy and practice.

Are staff surveys making employees too entitled?

When you use employee surveys as ‘happy meters’ you risk making employees entitled, warns Natasha Johnson, Founder of Organic P&O Solutions.
Asking ‘what do you want?’ is a slippery slope towards bold demands that don’t drive performance or enhance organisational culture. So what should you ask instead?

Stop the skills obsession: The six human states that drive real outcomes

Have you jumped on the skills bandwagon? Most employers have. But skills alone won’t bring organisational success, warns Culture Transformation Leader Zhanna Zhuravleva. As AI increasingly picks up functional work, it’s the human state – our lived experiences, attitudes and energy – that create the real value for organisations.

Strike action reforms are coming – here’s what HR should really focus on

With the Employment Rights Bill set to make industrial action easier to organise, many employers are bracing for more disputes. But Paul O’Donnell, Managing Director at CMP, argues that the real focus shouldn’t be on process changes – it should be on building a culture of trust, open conversation, and early conflict resolution.

Five ways to tackle rising healthcare costs and boost employee wellbeing

With healthcare costs climbing and employee wellbeing under pressure, waiting isn’t an option. Oliver Atkinson, Senior Wellbeing Lead at Benifex, shares five practical strategies to protect your people and your bottom line – starting with prevention, early intervention, and smarter communication.

2025 in review: Did the HR pros get it right?

At the start of 2025, we asked 10 people and culture experts to share their work predictions for the year ahead. With December almost here, they’ve returned to assess their forecasts and reflect on how the world of work has changed – for better or worse – over the past year.

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