Inside This Issue:
It's World Mental Health Day on Saturday, and this seemed a good time to feature two challenging topics. One in five men aged 18 to 26 have taken time off work for their mental health, according to US insurer The Standard, and one in five of the Gen Z men who took leave did not go back.
When you take a moment to sit with that, it’s a huge number. One 5th. And they are so young.
Ryan Eripse of The Cabin Group has some thoughts to share on the matter and some recommendations for employers to reduce that number.
The second feature is from Dr Maggie Sass who has a interesting perspective on tension at work, and why it could actually be a good thing.
Then scroll to the bottom to see top events on both sides of the pond.
Featured Insights:
What happens when a young man comes back from mental health leave?
One in five men aged 18 to 26 have taken time off work for their mental health, according to US insurer The Standard. Among the Gen Z men who took leave, 20% didn’t go back to work. Ryan Eripse, Clinical Director at The Cabin Group, says employers plan the absence carefully and forget the return. Esther Smith sets out the questions HR should answer before that first Monday back.
Should leaders stop smoothing over tension in the room?
Dr Maggie Sass, organisational psychologist and co-author of Friction, has spent more than 17 years watching leaders rush to make hard conversations comfortable. In the study behind the book, of nearly 1,200 US workers, 56% said leaders feel more pressure to hide their emotions than anyone else in the company. She explains which friction to remove, and which friction is telling you something you need to hear.
In other news
Stay current with key headlines and announcements from across the industry.
Events
Find the full calendar of upcoming HR and employee experience events at emexmag.com/events.
Free event of the week
Employee Benefits Live 2026
13 to 14 October 2026 | ExCeL London | Free to attend
Two days of free talks on reward, benefits and wellbeing, with stages on whole-person wellbeing and employee experience.
US
HR Technology Conference & Exposition 2026
20 to 22 October | Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
A major US event on AI, people analytics, HR systems and the digital employee experience.
Find out more
Seramount WorkBeyond Summit 2026
22 to 23 October | New York and Jersey City
Two days on inclusion strategy and leadership, with practical workshops and a gala.
UK
CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition 2026
4 to 5 November | Manchester Central
The UK’s main conference for the people profession. Entry to the exhibition is free, and conference passes are paid.
Find out more
