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Articles by Vicky Walker
Wellbeing Trends for 2026: AI therapy, the rise of rest and why prevention is becoming the missing link for UK businesses
By Vicky Walker, Chief People Officer, Westfield Health Every year, new wellbeing trends appear promising to change how we live and work. However, changes in how people think about wellbeing suggests 2026 might be different. Despite our 2025 Workplace Wellbeing Survey showing workers are becoming more health-conscious, long-term sickness is rising and NHS waiting list remain stubbornly high.
Vicky Walker: The Wellbeing Trends Employers Can’t Ignore In 2026
Every year, new wellbeing trends appear promising to change how we live and work. However, changes in how people think about wellbeing suggests 2026 might be different. Despite Westfield Health’s 2025 Workplace Wellbeing Survey showing workers are becoming more health-conscious, long-term sickness is rising and NHS waiting lists remain stubbornly high.
Wellbeing trends for 2026: AI therapy, rise of rest and prevention, the missing link
Despite our 2025 Workplace Wellbeing Survey showing workers are becoming more health-conscious, long-term sickness is rising and NHS waiting list remain stubbornly high. In workplaces across the UK, employees are beginning to turn to new tools, new habits and, in some cases, surprising substitutes for traditional solutions. At the same time, businesses strive to keep their teams healthy, productive and engaged despite increasing pressures.
AI therapy and preventive healthcare set to redefine workplace wellbeing
Every year, new wellbeing trends appear promising to change how we live and work. However, changes in how people think about wellbeing suggests 2026 might be different. Despite our 2025 Workplace Wellbeing Survey showing workers are becoming more health-conscious, long-term sickness is rising and NHS waiting lists remain stubbornly high. In workplaces across the UK, employees are beginning to turn to new tools, new habits and, in some cases, surprising substitutes for traditional solutions.
The rise of ‘older’ health conditions in younger workers, and what HR can do about it - HR Magazine
Workplaces are facing a surprising wellbeing challenge. Conditions once seen as ‘older people's health problems’ – type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer, for example – are increasingly affecting employees in their 20s and 30s. The numbers tell the story. More than 139,000 people under 40 in England and Wales now live with type 2 diabetes, up 19% in five years, according to the National Diabetes Audit.
Preventative health benefits in demand as younger workers face rising rates of "older" diseases
Workplaces are facing a surprising new wellbeing challenge. Conditions once seen as “older people’s health problems”, such as type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer, are increasingly affecting employees in their 20s and 30s. For HR leaders, this marks a shift that can’t be ignored: prevention, early diagnosis and access to healthcare should no longer be viewed as benefits for later life, but as essential elements of today’s people strategy.
A sense of belonging means different things to different people: so how can Leaders foster connection at work?
We now know, and there’s much research evidence to back it up, that finding a sense of belonging at work is vital to maintaining happy, engaged, productive employees. If employers can create a sense of belonging, then the impacts on employee wellbeing are huge. With this sense comes the feeling that an employee can bring their whole self to work, which makes them feel energised, creative and able to bring critical thinking to their role, instead of seeing work merely as means to an end.
Men’s Health in Crisis: 66% of Men Avoid Seeking Help for Mental Health Struggles Despite Rising Pressures
Rising health and societal concerns and insufficient workplace support are leaving UK men struggling as cost-of-living pressures mount. International wellbeing provider Westfield Health’s report highlights the urgent challenges men are facing in the UK. The findings reveal a troubling rise in mental and physical health struggles among men, exacerbated by financial stress and gaps in employer-provided support.
Why is there a worsening disconnect in wellbeing support?
A new report* reveals that UK employees are facing increasing mental and physical health challenges, exacerbated by insufficient workplace support and the rising cost of living. The findings, based on responses from over 2,000 workers, highlight a widening gap between what employees need and the support offered by employers. Mental health struggles are escalating, with nearly 3 in 10 (30%) employees reporting a decline in their mental wellbeing over the past year.
Employee Health in Crisis: New Research Reveals Growing Disconnect in SME Workers’ Wellbeing Support
Rising mental health concerns and lack of adequate support are leaving SME workers struggling alone as cost-of-living pressures mount A new report from international wellbeing provider Westfield Health reveals that UK employees are facing increasing mental and physical health challenges, exacerbated by insufficient workplace support and the rising cost of living.
Discover Your Ideal Management Style: Expert Unveils Five Key Leadership Approaches
Every manager is unique. Whether you’re overseeing a small team or a large department, your leadership style will influence the day-to-day operations, but it can also significantly affect employee wellbeing. “Managers are often the first to spot wellbeing issues, especially if they’ve developed a strong relationship with their team,” says Vicky Walker, Group Director of People at Westfield Health.
Vicky Walker: Five key leadership styles for the perfect blend of management qualities
Every manager is unique. Whether you’re overseeing a small team or a large department, different leadership styles will influence the day-to-day operations, but it can also significantly affect employee wellbeing. Managers are often the first to spot wellbeing issues, especially if they’ve developed a strong relationship with their team.
Every manager is unique so what kind of leader are you?
By Vicky Walker, HR expert, Westfield Health Every manager is unique. Whether you’re overseeing a small team or a large department, your leadership style will influence the day-to-day operations, but it can also significantly affect employee wellbeing. Managers are often the first to spot wellbeing issues, especially if they’ve developed a strong relationship with their team.
Five key leadership styles - discover your perfect blend of qualities
“Managers are often the first to spot wellbeing issues, especially if they’ve developed a strong relationship with their team,” says Vicky Walker, Group Director of People at Westfield Health “So, understanding different leadership qualities and when to use them, whether you have these naturally or are working to develop them, will help create a supportive environment for employee success.” Here are five types of leadership styles and how they can impact employee wellbeing: A visionary leader...
HR Expert Reveals Who's Entitled to An Extra Day's Pay This Leap Year
Vicky Walker, Group Director of People at Westfield Health There’s an extra day this February, thanks to 2024 being a leap year. This year, Leap Day falls on a Thursday, which means many of us will have to work an additional day without being paid for it. But that’s not the case for everyone. There are millions of people across the UK who are entitled to an extra day’s wages. Here’s what you need to know.
HR expert reveals who’s entitled to an extra day’s pay this leap year
There’s an extra day this February, thanks to 2024 being a leap year. This year, Leap Day falls on a Thursday, which means many of us will have to work an additional day without being paid for it. But that’s not the case for everyone. There are millions of people across the UK who are entitled to an extra day’s wages. Here’s what you need to know. Who’ll get an extra day’s wages this leap year?
Women in work are struggling under the radar
Women across the country are opening up about their struggles with debilitating pelvic pain and general discomfort due to conditions such as endometriosis, adenomyosis and menopause. Many of these women have spent years, even decades, suffering in silence in the workplace, often because they’re too afraid to tell their employer. And because these conditions are often invisible, with no outward presenting symptoms, it can be difficult to know who’s affected.
Vicky Walker: Getting working parents the support they deserve to have a fulfilling career
There are currently 11.5 million working parents in Great Britain and it is becoming increasingly important for them to manage their careers along with parental duties. New research suggests that working parents are finding it harder to focus on work-life and care for their children- over 56% have stated that they find the balancing act challenging. Since the pandemic, there has been a shift in priorities and needs of working parents.
How SMEs can stand out in the market for talent
By Vicky Walker, Director of People, Westfield Health Since the pandemic, people have found new priorities in their working lives. Benefits like wellbeing support and flexible working are no longer nice-to-have perks — employees are expecting them as standard, and for many people, these benefits are proving as important as their salary. More people are also taking time off due to poor mental health, with the average employee reporting 4.8 days of mental health absence in 2022.
Creating a movement culture
With many workplaces now split between home and on-site facilities, employees may encounter extra barriers to accessing physical health support. As leaders navigate the new normal, physical wellbeing policies may take a back seat to mental health and pandemic recovery. This can create multiple challenges for HR teams and how they implement workplace wellbeing initiatives.
Number of people not working due to long-term sickness reaches record high
“If you look at the big picture, right now in the UK, there are over out of work due to long-term sickness. That is extremely worrying. Equally worrying is the fact that this number only seems to be growing, largely driven by those in the 50-64 age group. From May-July this year, a record 491,433 people became economically inactive due to long-term sickness – a 1265% increase on 2020 levels.
Vicky Walker: Adapting wellbeing strategies for job satisfaction across generations
Job satisfaction has never been more important. Businesses can’t afford high employee turnover in the current talent market. Our research revealed that there is a generational gap when it comes to job satisfaction. Workers aged 55-64 are less satisfied in their role (54%) but more likely to stay put than younger colleagues, with less than a third being interested in moving jobs (30%).
Vicky Walker: The growing burnout problem with side hustles
Given the current cost of living pressures people are facing there’s a rise in the number of individuals working two jobs, starting side hustles or finding new ways to support their costs. This is a worrying problem for many employers, who will have employees facing burnout very quickly which will ultimately impact their work and mental health.
Presenteeism: What Causes it and How Can Employers Spot it?
Presenteeism: What Causes it and How Can Employers Spot it? , By Vicky Walker, Director of People, Westfield Health. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Despite the pandemic throwing attitudes towards working whilst unwell into sharp focus, presenteeism in the workplace is still increasing, costing employers huge amounts of money.
How can HR do more with less in 2023?
Written by Vicky Walker, Group Director of People at Westfield Health We’ve entered a new year with rocky foundations. People have been pushed to their limits by the pandemic, global instability and economic collapse – and many of these things will continue to affect us all in 2023. For businesses, a big issue in 2023 will be talent retention.
Presenteeism: What Causes it and How Can Employers Spot it?
Editorial & Advertiser disclosure Our website publishes news, press releases, opinion and advertorials on various financial organizations, products and services which are commissioned from various Companies, Organizations, PR agencies, Bloggers etc. These commissioned articles are commercial in nature. This is not to be considered as financial advice and should be considered only for information purposes.
Supporting workers with childcare throughout the summer holidays
The school holidays puts pressure on working parents. Employees, particularly single parents, may struggle with arranging annual leave to cover the summer holidays and balancing work with childcare. Vicky Walker, group director of people at Westfield Health, gives employers tips on how to ease the burden on workers with childcare responsibilities. The benefits of flexibility Flexibility and remote working are attractive options, especially for those with childcare responsibilities.
Vicky Walker: How to break gender bias
This year’s theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) is #Breakingthebias, writes Vicky Walker, as businesses around the globe join forces in an attempt to achieve a gender-equal world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. Workplaces must tackle gender bias. The good news is that there is sufficient research and strategies available to support and guide businesses on this #breakingthebias journey.
Keeping employees in the Great Resignation era
For most, the last two years have been tumultuous with uncertainty led by multiple lockdowns, stay-at-home orders and various changes to restrictions on our everyday lives. Reigniting a level of stability is essesntial for many and includes ensuring that the variables can be controlled, such as our everyday routine, and remaining as steady as possible.
Return to workplace success relies on putting people first
3 July 2021 1 July 2021 For over a year now, HR teams have been in the spotlight. They have navigated a big shift in the way people work, including many policy changes and health and wellbeing initiatives, to support them through the pandemic. Despite efforts, the ongoing uncertainty continues to cause some employees to feel less connected and less engaged. With the Government pushing back its roadmap, planning ahead remains difficult.
Five ways for OH to help with ‘Covid recovery’
Shutterstock As businesses tentatively begin to think about Covid ‘recovery’ from the autumn onwards, occupational health could have a pivotal role in terms of providing leadership around mental health care and support. Vicky Walker outlines five areas where OH may be able to make a difference in this ‘new normal’. In 2020, employee mental health became a c-suite concern.
Companies should heed the wellbeing lessons of lockdown
By Vicky Walker, Head of people at Westfield. Helping teams maintain the healthy habits formed while working from home during the pandemic should be part of HR leaders’ wellbeing strategies in 2021, according to workplace wellbeing experts, Westfield Health. With the vaccination programme underway, many businesses will be looking at their return to office plans for later in the year.
HR LEADERS SAY LACK OF BUY-IN FROM SENIOR MANAGEMENT IS BIGGEST BARRIER TO WELLBEING
Contributor: Vicky Walker, Head of People - Westfield Health | Published: 11 December 2020 Vicky Walker, Head of People - Westfield Health 9 December 2020 A lack of senior management support for wellbeing is preventing businesses tackling mental health in the workplace, according to a survey of HR leaders by corporate wellbeing expert, Westfield Health.
A v-shaped economic recovery needs a matching wellbeing recovery
The financial impact of Covid-19 on the UK economy has been significant. A second quarter of economic decline in August signalled that the UK was in a recession for the first time in 11 years. And in addition to this, the Office for Budget Responsibility puts the nation’s coronavirus bill at more than £192bn so far, as it protects the NHS and gives financial support to businesses and workers.
Company wellbeing cannot just be an HR issue
Company wellbeing cannot just be an HR issue Vicky Walker, September 02, 2020 Recent statistics from the ONS revealed that occurrences of depression in the UK had doubled since the start of the year. Our Divided Together report found that one of the key places this is being felt is the workplace, with half of the UK workforce seeing its mental health decline in the last few months.
What Christians Really Think About the Church’s Relationship Advice
Over the years, Christians have produced and read far more books on how relationships and singleness should work than on how these things actually do pan out. Vicky Walker’s new book Relatable: Exploring God, Love, & Connection in the Age of Choice, based on a survey of more than 1,400 people, aims to change that. Walker writes from a more-or-less Protestant British perspective, but American Christians will find much they recognize.
My 8 Favorite Cat Experiences Amid the Dogs at BarkWorld
The Atlanta conference dealt more in dogs than cats, but I represented and sought my tribe. Last weekend I traveled to Atlanta for the annual BarkWorld Expo, a huge pet industry conference that brings together writers, brands, and social influencers — oh, and lots of dogs, too.
Outside CatConLA, We Helped Rescue an Injured Cat
It's often said that everything happens for a reason. The reason behind a cat-themed conference attended by some 10,000 people in Los Angeles is manifold: to further cats' place in our culture, to bring cat-loving humans together, to find homes for rescue cats, and to let celebrity cats such as Lil BUB spread their joy.
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