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With the hidden costs of sick days, workers say they lie about taking time off
A culture of secrecy around mental health at work can lead workers to exaggerate physical symptoms to justify taking time off, a recent report found. By Carolyn Crist A man holds a sign at a rally in front of City Hall to show support for a paid sick leave bill on March 29, 2013, in New…
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In an era of loneliness, belonging may be the key to employee and business success
HR professionals can incorporate belonging into the employee experience by intentionally creating opportunities for connection, recognition and empowerment, McLean & Co. says. By Carolyn Crist An employee cleans between shelves at the Central Texas Food Bank on March 26, 2025, in Austin, Texas. In new research, McLean found that the ability to develop authentic connections directly…
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Majority of workers feel uneasy taking time off, survey shows
Employees worry about work piling up, missing out on opportunities and being perceived as less committed. By Carolyn Crist An office employee works into the night on Oct. 10, 2005, in Glasgow, Scotland. Nearly half of employees recently surveyed said their company supports vacation but that unmanageable workloads make it difficult to use PTO. Christopher Furlong via…
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How to avoid a war over the return to the office
At a time when conflict is growing over return-to-office mandates, Paul O’Donnell, Managing Director of CMP, considers how HR can defuse tensions and help shape a new ‘normal’ for working practices. More workers are feeling militant, ready to quit – especially women and parents. And the reason isn’t pay or benefits but the growing insistence…
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The Parent Penalty: Upgrade your maternity and paternity policies or risk losing talent
New research reveals that a third of employers are not adequately supporting new parents. Leadership coach Blaire Palmer urges HR to reassess their parenthood offering or risk losing valuable talent. By Blaire Palmer It’s not new news that recruiting and retaining employees is becoming harder. When the blame isn’t being placed on Gen Zs lacking loyalty, it’s…
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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…
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Gallup reports declining respect at work: What, now?
2025 research from Gallup shows feelings of workplace respect are at an all-time low. What are the implications for people professionals? HRZone columnist Blaire Palmer shares hard truths. Only 37% of US employees strongly agree they are treated with respect at work. Research by Gallup states this is a record low since it began measuring ‘respect’ in…
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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. By Blaire Palmer According to Deloitte’s Global Gen Z and Millennial Survey 2025, younger employees…
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As cancer diagnoses rise, here’s how HR can provide better support
Research shows organisations are ill-equipped to navigate the complexities of cancer in the workplace. Here, Founder of Working With Cancer, Barbara Wilson, shares 12 HR best practices for supporting affected employees and their unique cancer-care journeys. April marks Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, one of many dedicated periods aimed at increasing understanding of cancer and its…
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What Severance teaches us about the dark side of workplace culture
The hit US drama, Severance, takes us deep inside a dystopian workplace – but does it also trigger a twinge of recognition? Leadership expert Deborah Wain shares stark lessons from Apple TV’s hit drama on the realities of employee disconnection at work. If you haven’t yet jumped on the Severance hype train, let me set the stage…