UK Workplace Trends: 2025 Review and 2026 Outlook

2025 was a year of significant change for UK employers. New employment law developments, increased scrutiny around workplace practices, and a sharper focus on Health & Safety all combined to place growing pressure on businesses across every sector.

Looking ahead, 2026 is set to bring even more change. National Minimum Wage updates, further Employment Rights Act developments, and evolving HSE priorities mean employers will need to stay proactive to remain compliant and manage risk effectively.

A practical guide to help employers stay ahead

To support employers through this period of change, our partner Citation has created a free UK workplace trends guide, drawing on insights from over 350,000 real-life HR and Health & Safety queries they handled in 2025.

The guide highlights the challenges employers faced most frequently last year and explains what those trends mean as we move into 2026.

What the guide covers

Inside the guide, employers will find practical insight into:

• The top HR pressure points employers asked about in 2025, and how those issues are likely to develop in 2026

• The biggest Health & Safety advice themes and where workplace risk is increasing

• The key areas employers should start planning for in 2026, including pay, enforcement, compliance, and employee wellbeing

It’s designed to help employers understand not just what changed, but where they should focus their attention next.

Key topics explored in more detail

The guide also breaks down common challenges such as:

• Managing disciplinary and conduct issues

• Handling sickness absence and rising wellbeing pressures

• Dealing with workplace grievances and reporting routes

• Identifying Health & Safety focus areas and higher-risk sectors

• Preparing for 2026 developments, including National Minimum Wage changes, Employment Rights Act updates, and HSE enforcement priorities

Download the free guide

Employers can access the full UK workplace trends guide here:
https://tinyurl.com/bdwkz9vt

Expert support for UK employers

Citation’s HR and Employment Law experts support thousands of UK businesses to stay compliant, reduce risk, and save time — allowing employers to focus on running their organisations with confidence.

To find out more, call 0345 844 1111 or visit Citation directly.

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