The 2026 work reset: flatter teams, emotional salaries and the rise of ‘LinkedIn envy’
Matt Monette, head of UK & I at Deel, discusses potential work trends for 2026 as we usher in the new year.
Latest
Just Group adds full value protection option to secure lifetime income product
The changes aim to make SLI simpler and offer a clearer death benefit for clients who want to get the most value if they die early.
Government invests £1.8m in NHS care for veterans and serving personnel
A new training programme will ensure NHS staff across the country are supported to meet the unique health needs of veterans, serving personnel and their families.
Pension schemes hold steady despite April market volatility – Broadstone
Broadstone’s data showed that its fully hedged scheme ended the month with a funding position of 69.1%, unchanged from March.
Retirement planning complexity drives demand for bespoke investment services – Rathbones
Research found that 97% of IFAs expected rising demand for bespoke portfolios managed by third party wealth managers.
Clyde & Co receives ‘Carer Confident’ accreditation for employer support
The accreditation recognises the firm’s support for employees with caring responsibilities.
UK sectors fail to bridge £6,230 maternity pay shortfall, research reveals
Resume.io research revealed that statutory maternity pay (SMP) for 2025 rose slightly to £187.18 per week after the first six weeks.
Compensation & Benefits
67% of employees want a flexible company vehicle, SIXT finds
Use cases for such a vehicle included long business trips (42%) and when a personal vehicle is undergoing maintenance (40%).
University of Manchester to launch Connect platform to improve staff support
Connect is designed to provide a more efficient and reliable way for people to engage with people-related services.
Recruitment & HR
Mid Cheshire Hospitals appoints Alfredo Thompson as CPO
He brings experience in strategic HR leadership and organisational development, shaped by frontline NHS work.
Grangemouth jobs secured as Government strikes £150m deal with INEOS
Under the deal, the Government will provide more than £120m as part of a £150m joint investment package with INEOS.
Employment Rights Bill clears Lords after months-long deadlock
The Bill introduces a series of reforms including a ban on exploitative zero-hours contracts, day one sick pay, and stronger protections against harassment, alongside wider changes aimed at tackling insecure work.
Government refreshes Creative Industries Council to drive jobs and skills
Established in 2011, the CIC brings together senior figures from government, creative businesses and trade bodies to provide a coordinated voice on issues affecting the sector.
Inclusivity, Equality & Diversity
Women in Tech Taskforce launched to tackle barriers to employment and progression
The taskforce, convened this week by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, aims to address long-standing barriers that prevent women from accessing tech jobs, remaining in the sector and reaching leadership roles.
Inclusive policies drive career confidence and wellbeing at E.ON, report reveals
The report set out how inclusion and colleague wellbeing have helped deliver better outcomes for customers and communities.
Stonewater launches revamped graduate scheme
The housing provider welcomed five new graduates to its programme, which offers an 18-month rotation through various departments.
North East Ambulance Service secures funding for Neurodivergent Wellbeing Project
Kevin Scollay said: “By investing in tailored support for neurodiverse staff, we are not only improving individual wellbeing but also strengthening our teams."
Technology
Most businesses now run by solo founders using AI to boost output, data finds
According to Photoroom data, AI is replacing many repeatable, labour-intensive jobs, with founders turning to software instead of extra staff.
Half of SMEs set to cut entry-level jobs as AI adoption rises – Rathbones
Among those already using AI, 33% said they had reduced hiring of graduates or entry-level staff, while 62% said AI had made no difference to hiring so far.
Circles UK launches Hospitality Operating System to improve service and employee experience
It is available on tablets, phones and desktops, giving on-site teams real-time data to manage service delivery and understand how employees use the workplace.
Health & Wellbeing
Most employers unprepared for overseas assignment risks, research finds
Towergate Employee Benefits found that only 32% of UK employers said staff relocating abroad were fully prepared for changes in climate.
Festive work pressures disrupting sleep for frontline staff, experts warn
Research from MattressNextDay highlighted how prolonged standing, repetitive lifting and long periods of driving are affecting workers’ bodies across different sectors.
Workers need spaces that feel good to boost productivity, says Co-space CEO
William Stokes said: “By aligning layout, colour, light and natural elements, you create environments where people feel energised, calm and ready to perform at their best."
Health and childcare costs hinder employment for social housing residents, data reveals
The latest Clarion Index, based on feedback from over 2,000 residents, showed 56% of working-age residents were in work, up from 50% last year.
Employee Relations
Only 9% of organisations personalise compliance training, finds VinciWorks
Most still used general training for all staff, with 32% providing the same material to most employees and 40% tailoring it by department or role.
Allianz UK launches Domestic Abuse policy to support employees
Matt Cox said: “We want to help and support our employees as much as we can during the times that really matter, whatever the situation."
53% of job applicants experience ghosting from employers, finds iHire
Dmitrii Anikin, co-founder of SalaryGuide, said: “Being left without a response isn’t just poor etiquette, it reflects outdated hiring practices in a modern job market."
Lords defeat risks delaying Employment Rights Bill
The Lords’ decision means ministers must now review compensation caps for unfair dismissal, creating uncertainty over timing and the impact on businesses.
Global HR
Arsenal selects Deel to manage global HR operations
Arsenal will use Deel’s HR platform to manage its workforce and operations.
Equiom and Ledgy partner to expand global equity plan services
The integration of Ledgy lets Equiom’s teams support clients with complex share plans and gives employees access to manage their equity through one platform.
Employers continue move away from traditional CVs, study finds
Willo found that four-in-10 employers said they are actively moving away from CV-first hiring, and 10% have replaced CVs with skills-based and scenario-driven assessments.
AI-driven defences could strengthen cloud HR systems against ransomware, research reveals
A new academic study by Jay Barach, IEEE senior member and expert technologist, has examined how cloud-based HR systems could better withstand rising ransomware threats.