Quiet cracking: A buzzword masking a mental health crisis at work
A ‘new’ trend has hit the workplace (and our Instagram feeds). But what does ‘quiet cracking’ actually mean? How does it impact performance? And is it actually new, or just an existing problem rebranded? Culture transformation expert, Deborah Hartung, uncovers what HR needs to know.
AI mental health tools: Breakthrough or band-aid for employee wellbeing?
ChatGPT’s new mental health tools promise 24/7 support, but are they a breakthrough or band-aid? With workplace stress at crisis levels, AI offers tempting solutions – yet the risks of surveillance, poor-quality care, and organisational complacency are real. Dr Jo Burrell explores how to harness AI’s potential without losing the human touch.
From 30% to 50% satisfaction: How Refresco’s employee benefits strategy won over a deskless workforce
When only 30% of your workforce feels they have “special and unique benefits,” you know something needs to change. In this revealing case study, Sarah Tomson, Head of HR Services and Reward at Refresco, shares how her team transformed not just their benefits offering, but also rebuilt trust from the ground up.
40% of workers experience weekly financial stress, as wages fail to keep pace with inflation
New research reveals the stark reality of the UK’s cost-of-living crisis, with two in five workers experiencing weekly financial stress while wages stagnate and essential spending cuts become the norm.
Over three-quarters of Gen Alpha prioritise wellbeing over wealth and traditional workplace perks
New research reveals the next generation of employees will reshape workplace expectations, with 77% demanding mental health support and nearly half seeking neurodiversity-inclusive employers.
Here comes the Sun: How to boost productivity and wellbeing this summer
The UK has already hit it’s third heatwave of the summer. How can employers keep productivity flowing while also allowing extra flexibility? Five HR experts share their tips.
HR’s role in handling domestic abuse disclosures
With one in five UK employees experiencing domestic abuse, workplaces can be one of the few safe spaces a victim-survivor can turn to for help. Here, Susan Bright, CEO of EIDA (Employers’ Initiative on Domestic Abuse), shares guidance for HR teams on handling domestic abuse disclosures with compassion and clarity.
The loneliness-conflict loop: How HR can break the cycle
The rise of social isolation among employees has coincided with another worrying trend – an increase in workplace conflict. How can HR leaders break this concerning cycle? Anna Shields, Director at Consensio, explores how emotional intelligence, manager training and early intervention can help teams reconnect, communicate better – and handle conflict with confidence.
Healthy CEOs, hurting workforces: What’s behind the 48% wellbeing gap?
New global research finds that CEOs report positive wellbeing at a rate nearly 48% higher than employees. In this piece, HRZone’s managing editor Becky Norman explores the stark imbalance, the barriers undermining employee wellbeing, and how HR can help remove them.
Pride amid DEI pushback: Why HR must show what allyship really means
Pride flags are flying this month, as they are every June. But in this period of anti-DEI rhetoric, your team is watching – now more than ever – how your organisation responds. Kerry Nicholson, Chief of Operations for Brand Champions, explores the feelings of exclusion and exhaustion felt by the LGBTQ+ community today, and how organisations can be genuine allies amid increasing DEI resistance.
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.
A quiet revolution in men’s mental health: Lessons for the workplace
During Men’s Mental Health Awareness Week, leadership coach and author Thom Dennis explores what employers can learn from the quiet rise of grassroots peer support groups. With men accounting for three-quarters of all suicides, he argues it’s time for workplaces to take greater responsibility and reframe their approach to supporting men’s wellbeing.
Supporting untreatable, advanced cancer in the workforce
People with advanced cancer have the potential to work successfully for many years, but employers are failing to provide adequate support. Here, Founder of Working With Cancer, Barbara Wilson, sheds light on the difficulties of combining work and cancer, and how HR can better help employees at a time of extreme vulnerability.
The quiet crisis: SME workers are turning to second jobs amid high cost of living
LinkedIn poll data suggests a growing number of SME employees are taking on second jobs to cope with the rising cost of living. Business coach and owner, Peter Boolkah, explores the implications of this trend in terms of productivity, morale, and company culture, highlighting the need for proactive leadership.
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?
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.
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.
Ageism at work: Three ways to foster intergenerational inclusion
At work, do you actively seek the perspectives of colleagues significantly older or younger than you? Or do you naturally gravitate towards the opinions of those closer to your age? If it is the latter you are not alone. Here, David Bowes, Head of People at Insights, outlines the overlooked issue of ageism at work and offers three ways to champion intergenerational inclusion.
HR supervision: The support your people team deserves
The emotional toll of HR work is often hidden – and rarely supported. Dr Jo Burrell, Clinical Psychologist at Ultimate Resilience, makes the case for HR supervision as a critical tool to protect wellbeing, improve decision-making, and build stronger people teams in today’s high-pressure workplaces.