‘Bossware’: How workplace surveillance harms wellbeing and productivity
As firms introduce closer monitoring of employee activity, managers risk abusing their power. Quentin Millington of Marble Brook considers how surveillance harms employee wellbeing and productivity, asking, ‘Is ‘bossware’ merely evidence of weak leadership and a failing culture?’
How to support Black employees impacted by domestic abuse
Domestic abuse affects one in four employees, yet Black victim-survivors face unique barriers that keep many suffering in silence. Susan Bright and Kristin Thue from the Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) explore why systemic racism, cultural stigma and institutional bias demand a more thoughtful response – and what you can do to create truly safe workplaces.
The business impact of family care breakdowns and what employers can do
Family care breakdowns are an unavoidable part of life. But these disruptions don’t just affect your caregiving colleagues – their impact ripples outward to the wellbeing, morale, and productivity of your wider workforce, too. Here, Chris Locke of Bright Horizons highlights the real cost of care-related absences and strategies for reducing them.
Menopause after cancer: The missing workplace conversation
Without tailored support for menopause caused by cancer treatment, organisations risk losing valued talent and gender diversity in leadership. Barbara Wilson of Working with Cancer sheds light on this hidden HR issue during both Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Menopause Awareness Month.
Desk-gruntled: Seating arrangement sparks legal repercussions for estate agency Robsons
A recent employment tribunal ruled that a manager’s desk change at estate agency Robson could be reasonably interpreted as a demotion and was in breach of employment law. Legal expert Rhys Wyborn examines where the company went wrong and how other employers can avoid desk dramas escalating into legal action.
Winners announced for 2025 Culture Pioneer Awards
The winners of our 2025 Culture Pioneer Awards are revealed here! Discover the organisations and leaders building thriving workplace cultures that boost loyalty, inclusion and performance.
Why psychological ownership is key to a successful blended workforce
Blended workforces demand more than just flexibility. Sara Daw, Group CEO at The CFO Centre and Liberti Group, reveals why psychological ownership is essential to transform external relationships into genuine partnerships. Discover the three key elements that foster commitment and belonging among freelancers, contractors, and part-time leaders.
The Compass: A dynamic tool to help end tick-box HR
What if your performance management system is solving yesterday’s problem? Zhanna Zhuravleva, HR & Culture Transformation Leader, introduces the Compass: a dynamic tool that helps you move beyond tick-box HR by tracking where your organisation creates value in real time. It’s designed for the uncertainty and speed of today’s AI-enabled workplace.
How to drive culture change when your boss doesn’t want to
Senior leaders now widely recognise the strategic value of workplace culture. But not all bosses embrace the challenge of changing a problematic one. Ella Overshott, Director of Pecan Partnership, outlines the reasons why so many resist or ignore the problem, and how you can overcome (or divert) their defiance.
Naysayers and the hidden value of workplace pessimism
Naysayers – colleagues who see nothing but gloom – drain energy and obstruct change in almost any organisation. But do they also offer a hidden value? Quentin Millington of Marble Brook explores the root causes of doom-mongering and shows how everyone can benefit from pessimism within the team.
Book excerpt: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Explained by Shakil Butt
Do you look after equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in some capacity at work? Inclusion specialist Shakil Butt offers a practical guide to understanding what EDI really means and how to turn good intentions into everyday actions. Here, HRZone offers a snippet from his new book.
Five pitfalls of measuring workplace productivity
Most workplaces chase productivity metrics, but this approach often backfires. Jacqueline Towers of HubStar explores five critical pitfalls of measuring productivity – from outdated metrics to damaged wellbeing – and reveals what truly drives performance. Discover why trust, autonomy and psychological safety matter more than monitoring, and what your organisation should focus on instead.
Four progressive stages of male allyship – and how HR can support the journey
Men are not simply ‘for’ or ‘against’ engaging with gender equity issues. A new global study reveals a developmental pattern at play – four progressive stages that men move through towards allyship. Here, Dr Debbie Bayntun-Lees of Hult International Research School outlines the study’s key findings. She also introduces a diagnostic model to help HR leaders identify and support each stage.
Trust, creativity and the bonds AI can’t replace
Algorithms excel at efficiency, but can they replace the human bonds that spark original ideas and give organisations competitive edge? Sanjay Lobo MBE, CEO and Founder of OnHand, believes not. Here, he explores the hidden cost of AI’s rapid advance – the erosion of workplace relationships that drive trust, creativity and innovation.
Are we really facing a leadership crisis. Or is Gen Z simply changing the rules?
Rather than rejecting leadership, Gen Z is reshaping it, argues Barbara Matthews, Chief People Officer at Remote. Here, she challenges outdated models and pushes companies to reimagine leadership as flexible, authentic, and aligned with values.
The Big Five at work: Engineering personalities into collective strength
What if you could decode the invisible forces that shape how your team really works together? Perry Timms and Kirsten Buck of PTHR reveal how the Big Five personality traits act as the hidden operating system behind team dynamics. By understanding these psychological patterns, HR leaders are better equipped to engineer high-performing teams that harness everyone’s unique strengths.
Why HR must do more to support carers of people with cancer
Carers of people with cancer are an often unseen part of the workforce, balancing professional responsibilities with the relentless demands of caring. Barbara Wilson, Founder of Working With Cancer, explains the challenges carers face and outlines how HR leaders can provide meaningful support.
How wellbeing platforms can boost benefits engagement
HR and reward leaders, be warned. While 60% of your profession believes they deliver an excellent employee experience, only 19% of employees agree. How can you combat this disconnect? By making the process of accessing benefits less mystifying, time-consuming and stressful, says Oliver Atkinson, Senior Wellbeing Lead at Benifex.
How HR can disrupt the drama triangle
One in four UK employees face workplace conflict, often trapped in the destructive Drama Triangle of Victim, Rescuer, and Persecutor roles. Conflict specialist Jane Gunn reveals how HR professionals can recognise these damaging patterns and guide teams towards the healthier Empowerment Dynamic that builds trust and transforms workplace culture.
Sweet ideas that you can implement TODAY to build a happy workforce
Sometimes the smallest gestures spark the sweetest moments – and a 35% reduction in employee churn. Here, Jonathan Dee of Swizzels (the makers of Love Hearts) reveals how this confectionery company’s micro-rewards strategy boosted employee happiness without a big budget, reducing turnover by over a third.
