The latest L&D news, reports, research and updates, personally compiled by TJ’s Editor, Jo Cook. This week: Research spotlights missing wellbeing strategies, hybrid work beating pay for tech talent, full time versus part time hiring split, mental health as work design, plus IT certifications rising to close high-risk skills gaps.
Majority of UK safety professionals warn of AI over-reliance risk as adoption accelerates
Astutis has revealed its Learner Report 2026, which reveals UK workplaces are now entering a critical transition period as AI begins to shape health and safety. The Astutis survey, taken by professionals in multiple health and safety industries, reveals that nearly three quarters (73%) of health and safety professionals believe that AI will play a significant role in workplace safety over the next five years.
However, adoption of AI remains limited, with only one in 10 saying they actively use AI, a third (32%) of people considering using AI in future and three in 10 (29%) only at pilot stage, highlighting widespread hesitation.
What gets leaders promoted isn’t what employees want, new global study finds
New global research from Hogan Assessments finds that the characteristics and behaviours most frequently displayed by executives do not match the qualities employees say they want from leaders, revealing a significant gap in how organizations identify and reward leadership.
The report, The Leadership Divide: Global Insights on Who Leads vs. Who Should, compares personality assessment data from more than 21,000 executives in Hogan’s global database with survey responses from 9,794 full-time employees across 25 markets, including the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, and France.
Regulatory compliance and the battle for talent emerge as top business challenges since 2020
A new survey of 500 senior decision-makers within UK businesses, commissioned by Alliance Manchester Business School (AMBS), has found:
- 73% say business leadership has become more complex over the past five years
- When asked about what had become more challenging since 2020, 59% said ‘navigating policy, regulation and legislation’ was now harder
- 56% said the same about ‘attracting and retaining the best talent’
Workforce problem that does not appear in their retention reports
BI WORLDWIDE, a global leader in employee engagement and recognition, suggests that a number of employees are remaining in roles out of caution rather than commitment. This pattern, often referred to as false retention, could give organisations an incomplete picture of workplace stability as they plan for the new financial year
Recent UK labour market analysis shows that 55% of employees are prioritising job security over ambition. More than half of younger workers believe competition for new jobs is too high to consider moving. This reflects tougher market conditions, with 2.24 jobseekers now competing for every vacancy – the highest level in more than four years – and vacancies falling below pre-pandemic levels. HR commentators confirm that ‘job hugging’ is becoming a defining 2026 trend, where retention appears strong on paper despite declining morale and productivity.
43% of companies do not have a formal health and wellbeing strategy
Research from the employee benefits experts at Everywhen reveals today that 43% of UK companies do not have a formal health and wellbeing strategy in place. The risk is that these businesses are likely to find their benefits are not as effective as they could be in their support for the employees and the company alike.
The research shows that for 18% of companies, simply offering benefits is their strategy, and a concerning 13% offer support on an ad-hoc basis according to need. The good news is that 51% of UK companies do have a documented health and wellbeing strategy, which is regularly updated.
Hybrid working outpaces pay as the top strategy companies use to compete in the race for tech talent
More flexible ways of working have become the decisive factor for competing for leading tech talent, as businesses vying for top-tier AI and digital skills discover that salary alone is no longer enough to attract or retain the next generation of leaders.
- More than four in five (83%) business leaders say advanced technology skills – such as AI, data analytics and coding – are crucial for being promoted into leadership positions, with one in five leaders valuing advanced tech skills significantly above traditional university degrees
- Hybrid working now outpaces pay as the top strategy firms use to compete for scarce tech skills, with 78% saying organisations offering hybrid work have a clear recruitment advantage
- Nearly a quarter of organisations say they are appointing tech professionals under 30 into leadership roles earlier than traditional career timelines, rising to 45% among Gen Z-led businesses
Part-time roles slide as employers prioritise stability amid complex operating environment
Employment Hero, the global leader in HR, hiring and payroll software, has released its March Jobs Report, tracking real-time employment and wage growth in the UK, based on data from over 125,000 employee records within small businesses.
While hiring among small businesses has continued to recover, the latest data reveals a clear split between full-time and part-time roles.
Workplace mental health is a work design problem
New data shows how workload, leadership and team conditions shape retention, performance and employee experience.
Key findings
- Workload sustainability is the weakest metric.
- Workplace mental health conditions are inconsistent.
- Retention is highly dependent on employer context.
Employers use IT certification to close high-risk skills gaps and gain competitive advantage, Pearson study finds
Organisations facing persistent IT and AI skills gaps are increasingly turning to professional certification as a core workforce strategy and are seeing measurable business returns, according to a new report from Pearson. Pearson’s 2026 Value of IT Certification Employer Report finds employers prioritize upskilling to close skills gaps, with 78% choosing professional certification as the leading upskilling investment. This focus on validated skills reflects a broader understanding that AI creates the most value when paired with a workforce equipped to use it effectively.
The largest skills gaps are found in high-risk, high-impact areas such as AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, and cloud computing. Employers don’t expect the pressure to ease: nine in ten leaders believe certifications will be more important within the next 3-5 years. Employees echo this sentiment with 84% planning to pursue additional certifications in the next 12 months.
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