First published on Thursday, January 22, 2026
Last updated on Thursday, January 22, 2026
Welcome to HR Heartbeat, where we take a look at the most pressing HR and employment law stories. With over 18 years’ experience in employee relations, I give my opinion on current trends impacting your business, as well as my own personal commentary on all things HR and legal.
Feeling the Monday blues?
The third Monday in January has been designated Blue Monday, the ‘most depressing day of the year’. With the post-Christmas slump, cold and flu season, and grey skies, it’s no wonder people find this time of year hard. But whatever the time of the year, I believe we should encourage conversations about mental health.
1 in 7 business owners reported struggles with mental health last year. It’s sometimes easier to talk with a third party, so think about an Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) that offers confidential and flexible support outside working hours. And think about your health as a whole: finding an EAP that supports with all four pillars of wellbeing (mental, social, physical, and financial health), will build a strong footing for emotional health, all year round.
New year, new job… so how do you retain your best staff?
As well as holding the crown for the most depressing month, January signifies a new start for jobseekers. As hiring managers start flashing their new budgets and potential recruits start looking around, are you prepared to keep hold of your teams?
My advice is to start the new year on a sure footing. In a survey last December, a quarter of UK workers were planning to quit their jobs in the next twelve months for career growth. So, start the year by showing your employees their opportunities for development. It’s not always top of employers’ minds amongst the day-to-day. But you could look at performance management software for goal-setting, progression, and career advancement.
Consider your younger employees, too. In a survey last year, Gen Z were redefining what it means to have a successful career – and it’s all about mental wellbeing over financial wealth. Make sure you’re engaged with your teams and find out what they’re looking for, before they start to look elsewhere.
One fifth of workers ‘too busy to see the doctor’
A poll by Bupa revealed that 21% of employees at SMEs avoided booking or delayed GP appointments because they were too busy with work. And let’s be clear: nobody should put productivity before health.
We’re seeing better access to healthcare via online GP appointments, workplace healthcare providers, and digital healthcare options. But if it’s still hard to book an appointment and it’s affecting your workers’ health, it’s time for something to change.
Give them paid time off for medical appointments and make sure they feel like they can attend them. If you can’t offer workplace health benefits like gym membership or private health insurance, make sure your teams are prioritising their wellbeing in other ways. Download the BrightHR ultimate guide to wellbeing for free, for tips on wellbeing at work. After all, physical health and psychological wellbeing are key to a productive and healthy work environment.
And that’s a wrap from me. Tune in next time for my take on the latest headlines and employment law stories, helping keep your business ahead!
