The CHRO in 2026: A role under pressure
The CHRO role has never been more critical – or more complex. Research by Kathi Enderes at The Josh Bersin Company reveals that 86% of CHROs describe their role shift as ‘significant’ or ‘dramatic’, yet 70% are first-timers learning on the job. With demands outpacing capabilities, how can organisations support CHROs through mounting pressure?
Microshifting trend: 33% of managers have ‘covert’ flexible working agreements with employees
New research reveals that one-third of UK managers are secretly negotiating flexible hours with their teams, while three-quarters of workers remain dissatisfied with official policies. Could microshifting offer a way forward in the ongoing return-to-office debate?
Edelman Trust Barometer 2026: 70% retreat into insularity
As fears about the state of the world grow, people are turning inward, new research from the Edelman Trust Barometer reveals. For workplaces already navigating complexity, this retreat into familiarity poses a serious threat to collaboration, innovation, and productivity. But there’s an opportunity here: leaders and HR can act as trust brokers to bridge the divide.
NHS trust changing rooms tribunal ruling: What HR needs to know
A recent tribunal ruling found that an NHS trust harassed nurses by allowing a transgender woman to use a female changing room. Peter Daly, Partner at Doyle Clayton, explains what this means for HR teams navigating the interaction between sex, gender identity and workplace health and safety law.
What’s the latest on the Employment Rights Bill?
Following the House of Lords’ Employment Rights Bill review, HR adviser Kate Palmer discusses the Bill’s latest amendments and what updates might mean for UK businesses.
Dangerous HR liaisons: Threats, knives and throuples
There’s a common misconception that HR’s role is limited to hiring and firing, but there is so much more to it than that. And many of the situations that an HR professional finds themselves dealing with are things that you’d never consider, even in your wildest dreams.
62% of workers left underwhelmed by their benefits, despite rising employer spend
Despite 79% of organisations increasing employee benefits spend in the past 12 months, 62% of workers struggle to see the value of what’s on offer, new Benifex research reveals.
New study reveals ‘shadow AI’ trend: 54% of workers would use AI without company approval
More than half of employees say they’d use AI tools at work without their company’s authorisation, according to new global research from Boston Consulting Group. The findings highlight rising security risks, with nearly two-thirds of workers also feeling undertrained in how to use AI effectively.
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.
52% of Gen Zs and Millennials on a financial tightrope, Deloitte finds
Deloitte’s 2025 Gen Z and Millennial Survey reveals over half of younger employees live paycheck to paycheck and one-third experience work-related stress. Blaire Palmer, CEO of That People Thing Ltd, examines the study’s key findings, providing HR solutions to increase workplace happiness.
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.
Apprentice dismissed after colleague ‘poked finger-sized holes’ in his sandwiches
A culture of ‘banter’ among apprentices at Scania truck depot quickly spiralled into a dismissal and employment tribunal. HR adviser Kate Palmer shares the cautionary tale of the tampered sandwich…
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.
Progress or PR spin? Gender pay gap 2025 shows it’s still a man’s world, just with better reporting
The results of this year’s gender pay gap report are out, but do the results point to progress or PR spin? HRZone columnist Deborah Hartung believes reporting is a tick-box exercise for most and urges HR to go beyond the bare minimum.
Labour’s benefits crackdown: The DEI alarm bell HR can’t afford to ignore
With Labour’s benefits crackdown announced, HR leaders will soon face an influx of disabled and chronically ill jobseekers. In this moment of reckoning, culture strategist Deborah Hartung shares five critical actions to build truly inclusive workplaces before it’s too late.
EIDA launches new HR Charter against domestic abuse
The Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse (EIDA) yesterday launched its ‘HR Charter against Domestic Abuse‘, inviting HR professionals to take a stand against domestic abuse in the workplace. This initiative, developed in partnership with Working Futures and leading HR professional Bertie Tonks, encourages HR professionals to demonstrate their commitment to raising awareness of domestic abuse […]
Performance-related pay in the Civil Service: Is the government merely adding to the bureaucracy?
Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden recently outlined radical ambitions to manage performance across the Civil Service. Quentin Millington of Marble Brook examines whether performance-related pay is a step into, or away from, harmful bureaucracy.
Government crackdown on illegal workers: Right to work checks
HR adviser Kate Palmer discusses employers’ legal obligation to conduct ‘right to work’ checks and the potential consequences of hiring illegal workers.
Employers lose £24 billion annually due to youth mental health crisis: How can HR respond?
The scale of the youth mental health crisis is increasing, and employers cannot afford to shirk responsibility for this growing problem among young and future workers. Perkbox Vivup’s Karl Bennett (Wellbeing Adviser) and Tracey Paxton (Clinical Director) share HR guidance on confronting this issue.
Labour WhatsApp scandal: Can employers take action over inappropriate private messages?
In the wake of the Labour WhatsApp scandal, Kate Palmer discusses whether employers have the right to monitor employee’s private messages and what steps to take if inappropriate private messages come to light.