Diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) has not disappeared from organisational agendas, but it is under pressure. It feels more fragile, more contested, and harder to sustain than it did a few years ago. Dr Meenakshi Krishnan, Principal Research Fellow at IES reflects on what is driving inclusion and fairness in organisations right now? How are current labour market challenges strengthening or complicating the case for DEI? And what would make DEI feel like core business? Read more
Naomi Cooke, Head of Workforce at the Local Government Association, reflects on what the introduction of a new model of sectoral bargaining could mean for local government employers and beyond. The Employment Rights Act represents a real sea-change. Two comparatively small provisions denote a significant shift in how pay, terms and conditions will be set, by establishing the first statutory collective pay bargaining mechanisms in England since wage councils were abolished in the 1990s. Read more
Strong employee voice helps organisations make better decisions, manage change more effectively and build trust at work. To understand how this works in practice, we asked employee representatives, forum and staff council chairs, and others involved in voice arrangements to share their experiences via an online survey. Read more
With prescience and clarity, the outgoing Chair of ACAS, Clare Chapman, in a recent address to the IPA’s Work Insights Network identified the five ‘disruptors’ which are upending the UK’s industrial model. IPA director, Nita Clarke OBE considers how the political and policy response to these disruptors will determine the shape and success of our economy going forward. April 2026 Read more
Stefan Stern, visiting professor at Bayes Business School, University of London, reflects on the knowledge exchange event, Amplifying Employee Voice for the Future of Work held on 26 February 2026. Read more
At a knowledge exchange event on 26 February 2026, Dr Emma Hughes, University of Manchester, and Professor Niall Cullinane of Queens University Belfast examined how to improve worker voice in the warehouse industry. Read more
At a knowledge exchange event in London on 26th February 2026, Stewart Johnstone, Stuart McIntyre and Ian Cunningham presented headlines from their ESRC funded research study evaluating the effectiveness of employee voice in Scotland. Read more
Jonny Gifford, Principal Research Fellow, Institute for Employment Studies asks what do we really mean by employee voice, what might employers and HR leaders usefully aim for and why does it matter? Read more
The Employment Rights Act finally received Royal Assent just before Christmas, after a ground-breaking tripartite engagement between business, trade unions and government. As IPA director Nita Clarke OBE writes, this is a hugely significant development, demonstrating that the social partners can and should work together on the details of the implementation of the Act. She urges that industrial relations doesn’t need to be scary. Don’t panic, Captain Mainwaring as Corporal Jones would say Read more
There has been a lot written about what Gen Z are looking for from work, and the challenges this presents to organisations to ‘reshape the workplace’ to attract and retain young talent. But are Gen Z’s expectations really so different to the rest of us, or are they simply better at expressing or even demanding what the workplace should be offering them? Read more
The past decade has been defined by volatility. From the financial crisis to Brexit, from the shock of the pandemic to the rapid acceleration of AI, disruption has become the backdrop to working life. In this environment, it has become increasingly clear that uncertainty is the new normal. Research consistently shows that organisations with strong employee voice cultures navigate turbulence more effectively, innovate more rapidly, and build a resilience that can withstand shocks. Read more
At a time when the Government urgently needs to boost productivity and sustainable growth, Martin McIvor of Prospect Union shares his vision for how organisations can seize the positive opportunities in the reforms set out in the Employment Rights bill – while highlighting steps Government could take to help them land successfully. Read more
The IPA has always argued for a collaborative, partnership-based approach at workplace level, whereby unions and employers are jointly committed to the success of the enterprise and can work together to understand challenges and identify the best ways forward. IPA director, Nita Clarke, writes: 'At this moment of opportunity we continue to make the case for positive industrial relations, and provide employers with practical support to strengthen the knowledge and skills they will need.' Read more
The existence of a productivity problem in the UK is acknowledged and the probable causes long-debated, but is the 'people factor' being overlooked as a potential solution? Dan Lucy, IES director of HR research and consulting examines the evidence. Read more
Duncan Spencer CFIOSH, Head of Advice & Practice, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health asks why consult workers and what benefits do organisations gain from this engagement? Read more
Ian Renwick is a Director of Employee Relations for a global technology company. He has over 20 years' experience in a range of industries, supporting complex workforce transformation programmes across Europe, much of which is focused on employee and industrial relations. Ian shares what he has learned about employee voice in its many guises, and asks 'are we really listening? Read more
The latest IFOW Good Work Monitor highlights the link between good work and productivity - a critical economic challenge for the UK. IFOW’s analysis also confirms the strong link between good work and people’s wellbeing. Yet, when it comes to both productivity and wellbeing, and indeed the distribution of good work, the UK suffers from persistent regional and local inequalities. In this blog first published by IFOW, Tera Allas CBE considers the key drivers for good work. Read more
It’s always good to hear first hand accounts from people facing the everyday realities of building a career. This article from young employee Daniel Chapman, tells his story of being thrust into management, and how he dealt with the challenges. This is particularly timely, given recent reports that over half of HR directors in the UK say that employees are increasingly shunning middle management, with 81% reporting that their employees do not always have the necessary behavioural skills. Read more
There is a lot of change about for organisations, and it feels like changes are speeding up. We may have got used to multiple overlapping individual, team and organisational changes, like a new job, new colleagues, new technology, new ways of working or new locations. But it is the pressures bearing down from the external operating environment that is making it such a worrying time for all of us and what’s keeping our leaders awake at night. So, how can we all become change-smart? Read more
The Engage for Success (EFS) annual engagement survey of the UK working population reveals stark variations in engagement levels. Dr Sarah Pass examines the latest findings that reveal a persistent divide across the UK workforce - one that impacts employee wellbeing, performance, and overall attitudes toward work. Only by addressing this divide, she argues, can we achieve a workforce that is not just in work, but is motivated, engaged, and empowered to contribute. Read more
The Welsh Government’s 2025 Future Generations Report represents a key milestone since Wales embarked on an ambitious roadmap to secure a sustainable future for the next generation and beyond. The legislation requires public bodies to build the wellbeing of future generations into their strategic planning. It recognises the complexity in delivering environmental and economic sustainability for the long-term, primarily through its 7 Wellbeing Goals. Lucy O'Melia, IPA shares her views on progress. Read more
There has been growing evidence in recent decades of the importance of participation in decisions at work both for employees’ well-being and for their work motivation. But have British employers been increasing opportunities for such participation? Prof Duncan Gallie examines the results of the most recent Skills and Employment Survey, and asks given the increasing recognition of the benefits of participation, what does the evidence tell us about the trends in participation? Read more
In view of pending governmental changes and the evolving employment landscape, the working relationships organisations have with their employees and representatives is increasingly critical. In this article, Pete Colby, director of Pragmatism, argues that the ability to build trust is critical for all HR professionals and managers, and is the foundation of employee relations and organisational culture. Read more
What’s next for DEI? This is the question at the top of mind for HR leaders and diversity, equity, and inclusion advocates since Donald Trump took office in the USA. Will the trend of large companies rolling back their DEI programs catch in the UK as well? Dr. Meenakshi Krishnan, Principal Research Fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies, discusses how the Equality Act 2010 provides a legislative bulwark against similar efforts to undo years of progress on DEI in the UK. Read more