The best ways to motivate employees in 2026 are much the same as they were 50 years ago, but many employers continue to rely on tactics that have "zero" long-term impact, according to a performance specialist.
Return-to-office drives will encounter "intense headwinds" if they're perceived as more employer-friendly than employee-friendly, according to academics with advice for organisations' policies, messaging and implementation.
When employers are on notice of a behaviour issue affecting only a small percentage of employees, it's important not to dismiss it as a "benchmark" level, a workplace advisor says.
Social interaction and fun are "not yet a successful part of hybrid work", according to a researcher, but that doesn't mean employees aren't happier overall.
Employers should never underestimate the impact of microaggressions and other "low-level" entrenched behaviours, as they can escalate "very rapidly", an HR advisor says in our new series, 'From case to culture'.
As employers continue to grapple with mandates and directions for office attendance, a workplace advisor says it's "how" decisions are made that will determine whether employees "rebel or engage".
The "silly season" can be a hectic time for all employees, and especially for working parents, but it is possible to maintain high performance without burning out, a mental skills coach says.
Employees who report receiving clear leadership communication at work are five times happier in their roles than those who say communication isn't clear, new data shows.
