Employee wellbeing has taken the lead as the top priority for UK HR professionals in 2025, according to new research.
The report, the latest State of Employee Engagement Report by workplace pollster WorkBuzz, reveals a growing emphasis on supporting workers’ mental, emotional and physical health. It reflects a shift in workplace dynamics as organisations navigate the challenges of flexible working and its impact on wellbeing.
Wellbeing has remained a significant focus for HR teams for years, ranking as the second-highest priority in previous reports. But the complexities of hybrid and remote working, particularly for younger employees, have brought these issues to the forefront. Workers aged 16–34, while favouring remote work, are disproportionately affected by loneliness and depression, creating a difficult balancing act for HR teams.
The Challenge of Balancing Flexibility and Wellbeing
WorkBuzz CEO Steven Frost said many employers were engaged in a balancing act with their staff, attempting to give them the work-life options they wanted.
“Employers are trying to solve a challenging paradox – providing their people with the option of remote and flexible working on the one hand, while managing the wellbeing fallout from this on the other,” he said. “Reconciling flexibility with duty of care to ensure a supportive and thriving workplace culture is a challenge many HR teams are currently struggling to navigate.”
Employee engagement, a topic long central to HR strategies, has climbed to the second spot on the list of priorities for 2025, up from fifth place last year. This shift highlights the importance of focusing on the quality of employees’ daily experiences rather than implementing broad, one-size-fits-all initiatives.
“HR leaders are placing greater weight on listening to their employees to find out how their daily lived experiences can be improved,” says Frost. “They want to make changes that are genuinely reflective of what employees want and need rather than investing in sweeping top-down initiatives.”
Tools for gathering and acting on employee feedback are becoming vital in creating meaningful improvements in engagement and fostering inclusive workplace cultures.
Talent Attraction Remains a Pressing Concern
Despite the emphasis on wellbeing and engagement, attracting and retaining talent remains a persistent challenge for UK HR professionals, ranking third on the priority list for 2025. The demand for highly skilled, diverse candidates — particularly those with digital expertise — continues to place pressure on organisations to differentiate themselves as desirable employers.
“Securing highly skilled diverse candidates, especially those with transformative digital skills, is a struggle across many UK industries,” says Frost. “It requires HR professionals to take a holistic approach so that their organisation is viewed as an appealing and inclusive destination for all.”
The report’s findings, based on responses from over 640 HR professionals, including 335 from the UK, highlight the evolving role of HR in shaping workplaces that prioritise wellbeing, actively engage employees and attract top talent. By addressing these priorities with a focus on flexibility, inclusion and authentic listening, organisations can create cultures that support both business success and employee satisfaction.
