Report: Employee Experience Trends 2026

Employee experience is under real pressure heading into 2026. Engagement levels are holding steady on the surface, but underneath, trust is fragile, connection is thinning, workloads are stretching people beyond their limits and AI is changing how work feels day to day.

In the latest instalment of our highly-anticipated yearly Trends report, we draw on our global benchmark data (taken from millions of employee responses) to identify four major forces that will most shape employee experience in the year ahead and what organisations need to do about them.

Inside, you will explore:

• Why trust, transparency and fair decision-making remain the strongest predictors of performance and retention

• How loneliness and connection are quietly reshaping collaboration, confidence and day-to-day delivery

• What rising workload and blurred roles mean for burnout, growth and skills in 2026

• How to use AI to genuinely reduce friction and capacity pressure, not just increase output

Each section combines clear data signals with practical priority moves leaders and managers can act on now. The focus is not quick fixes or wellbeing add-ons. It is on everyday habits, clearer decisions and smarter use of insight that make work feel more sustainable and more human.

Move from listening to clear, decisive action with this report and make 2026 a defining year for your organisation.

Download the report today.