From maternity guilt to vacation guilt: The psychological barriers your people face

Inside This Issue:

Guilt is having a moment in workplace psychology, and it's showing up in surprising places. British workers are Europe's most trusted employees, yet 40% still feel guilty taking time off.

New mothers are navigating the emotional whiplash of choosing between boardrooms and baby cries. Even social media use is creating career anxiety. What's fascinating isn't that these feelings exist, it's how they persist despite progressive policies and supportive cultures.

As EX practitioners, this gives us a clear directive: we're not just designing better processes, we're helping people give themselves permission to use them.

Featured Insights:

The Return: Sleepless Nights, Morning Meetings, and the Guilt in Between

Returning to work after maternity leave isn't just about logistics, it's an identity rethink that millions navigate while pretending to care about Q3 projections. This candid exploration cuts through the welcome-back cupcakes to examine what mothers actually need: flexible hours, phased returns, real mentorship, and companies that understand the difference between support and tolerance.

Read the full article.

British Workers Most Trusted, But Guilt Halts Their Summer Switch-Off

Despite leading Europe in workplace trust, British employees are struggling to disconnect. New SD Worx research shows the gap between progressive policies and psychological reality, and offers a compelling case for why professionals should take breaks like elite athletes: completely, without guilt, and with the knowledge they'll return stronger.

Read the full article. 

Fresh off the Press

Stay current with key headlines and announcements from across the industry.

• Social Media Use Poses Career Risk for Many Workers

• Global Mobility Remains a Strategic ‘Blind Spot’ for Most Firms, Survey Finds

• Financial Pressures Drive More US Workers Into Job Hunt

From Our Vault

Structured Workplace Learning: A Complete Guide

As organisations grapple with skills gaps and talent shortages, this comprehensive guide explores how structured workplace learning programs bridge the gap between education and employment while creating stronger workplace networks.

Read the full article.

The Extra Point

Fun fact: The word "salary" comes from the Latin "salarium," which referred to the money Roman soldiers received to buy salt. Salt was so valuable it was literally used as currency, making those ancient soldiers some of the first people to work for their salt. Makes you wonder what future employees will think about our obsession with ping pong tables and kombucha on tap.