Fresh research into employee experience shows workload pressure remains a significant issue, with just 64% of employees saying they can comfortably manage what’s expected of them.
The findings point to widening gaps between workload, wellbeing and work-life balance, with knock-on effects on engagement, performance and staff retention. This comes at a time of rapid AI adoption, raising concerns about whether technology is truly reducing pressure or simply enabling more work to be done.
The data comes from People Insight’s newly published Employee Experience Trends 2026 report, an annual study examining the current state of workplace experience and the trends most likely to shape the year ahead.
The report is based on People Insight’s global benchmark data, representing millions of employee survey responses, combined with broader workplace research and expert insight from its consultancy team. This creates a detailed and practical picture of how employees experience work today and what organisations need to prioritise next.
The 2026 report highlights four key trends set to dominate employee experience:
- Trust, transparency and fair decision-making
- Connection at work and the impact of loneliness on performance
- Workload, role design and the ongoing skills shift
- The growing influence of AI on capacity and how work feels day to day
Alongside workload concerns, the report highlights several related warning signs.
Key findings include:
- Only 64% of employees say they can comfortably cope with their workload
- Engagement stands at 79%, largely unchanged year on year, masking rising pressure
- Open workplace communication has fallen from 60% to 53% in just one year
- Only 63% say senior leaders provide a clear vision of direction
- Just 61% feel senior leaders genuinely listen
- Only 63% feel they have opportunities to learn and grow
Tom Debenham, Founder of People Insight, commented: “When people consistently feel overloaded, it affects everything, from wellbeing and engagement through to trust in leadership and long-term commitment. What this data shows is that organisations cannot afford to treat workload as a side issue. It sits right at the heart of the employee experience.”
For organisations looking to strengthen their senior leadership capabilities, initiatives such as leadership coaching UK can be instrumental in helping managers navigate these pressures and foster more supportive workplace cultures.
The Employee Experience Trends 2026 report provides practical guidance to help organisations respond to these challenges and turn insight into action.
The report is essential reading for HR professionals, senior leaders and anyone responsible for employee experience or organisational culture.
Download a copy at peopleinsight.co.uk/trends-report-2026.
