Inside This Issue:
Here's an unexpected employee experience question: what state are the toilets at work?
A UK survey found that 82.5% of adults think workplace washrooms reflect how seriously employers take wellbeing. It's a striking reminder that everyday conditions can say more than polished wellbeing messaging. That's our lead this week.
Also inside: a study of 11,000 employees on money, engagement and AI; fresh workforce compliance research; why some Gen Z workers start dreading Monday at 4:13pm on Sunday; and a Christmas party ideas picker for whoever drew the short straw.
Featured Insights:
82.5% of UK adults say the state of workplace washrooms reflects employers' commitment to wellbeing.
Forget the wellbeing posters for a moment. Are the toilets clean, well maintained and properly stocked? More than eight in ten UK adults surveyed say the condition of workplace washrooms signals how seriously employers take wellbeing. The survey captures perceptions rather than measuring actual employee wellbeing, but the implication is worth considering: if the basics are neglected, a glossy wellbeing programme may not be doing much to convince people. What would your facilities say about your organisation?
Work matters less in people’s lives, yet their connection to their company is growing stronger.
Pluxee asked 11,000 employees in 14 countries about work, money and AI. Money worries weigh heavily, with seven in ten naming inflation and the cost of living as their top concern. Fewer people now say work is the center of their lives, yet more describe themselves as engaged. And most welcome AI, even in an uncertain economy. Pluxee chief executive Aurélien Sonet shares the findings and what they mean for HR leaders.
In other news
Stay current with key headlines and announcements from across the industry.
Nearly half of enterprises lack full confidence in workforce compliance. People2.0's research finds only 54% of leaders are very confident they comply with changing labour and worker-classification rules.
Gen Z's Sunday work anxiety starts at 4:13pm, on average. It's sometimes called the “Sunday Scaries”: that sinking feeling as the weekend ends and Monday's workload approaches. A survey of 2,000 Gen Z workers also found that switching off work messages can help ease the anxiety.
From the directory
DIRECTORY PICK OF THE WEEK
Glass workshops, resin art, paint-and-sip, flower arranging and mindful craft for team socials and alternative Christmas parties. There are 28 providers in the directory, and most need no creative experience.
UK: The Crafty Hen, UK-wide, in person or online, for 10 or more people. Founder-led craft workshops for all abilities, including wreath and jewelry making.
US: ArtWorx Events, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, or on Zoom, for 13 to 60 people. Instructor-led paint sessions where everyone keeps their piece.
TOOL OF THE WEEK
Who is organizing the team Christmas party this year?
The picker holds 54 ideas for work. Narrow them by team size, budget, format and time of day, then build a shortlist to take to your team.
Useful for whoever has been handed the job of planning the party. UK readers will also find the £150 HMRC party exemption explained.
Events
Find the full calendar of upcoming HR and employee experience events at emexmag.com/events.
FREE EVENT OF THE WEEK
HR Grapevine Innovate: Best Practice, Compliance & Legal
19 November 2026 | Online | Free, registration required
A virtual session on workforce risk, compliance, ethics, policy and fair people practice.
US
SHRM All Things Work 2026
16 to 18 November | Nashville
Brings together Linkage Leadership, BLUEPRINT for I&D and Skills Accelerator.
36th Annual Health Benefits Conference and Expo 2027
2 to 3 February 2027 | Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
A two-day event on health plan strategy.
UK
IoIC Festival: North 2026
17 November | Manchester
The Institute of Internal Communication brings its Festival format to Manchester for a day.
FutuHRistIC Internal Communications Conference 2026
18 to 20 November | London
An internal communications and engagement conference for senior IC leaders.
Are you doing cool stuff at work?
Are you doing great things to move the dial on the employee experience where you work? We’d love to hear about it and start sharing ideas within the community. Get in touch with [email protected] if you have a project, an observation or a win that we can share and celebrate with you.
