UK 
United States
Despite five years of growing rhetoric around flexible working and employee wellbeing, UK employees are now more ‘always on’ than ever.
Work-life boundaries are blurred, burnout is increasing, and social connectivity at work is declining. Indeed, most employees (81%) report that their work-life balance has not improved. So, what can HR do?
Drawing on new research, Chris Ronald, VP of EMEA B2B at BHN Europe, joins the HR Grapevine podcast to explore how the ‘flexibility illusion’ has masked deeper systemic issues.
From inequality in access to benefits, generational divides in expectations, and a widening gap in wellbeing between leaders and junior staff, Ronald shares open, data-backed insights on how organisations can build a benefit culture that doesn’t just look good on paper, but genuinely supports employees’ mental, physical and financial wellbeing.
About BHN Extras
This HR Grapevine podcast episode is sponsored by BHN Extras, a leading, cost-effective, employee engagement and benefits platform. Designed with mental, physical and financial wellbeing in mind, it gives employers a simple, no-hassle way of offering employees a comprehensive range of flexible and personalised work benefits such as Cyclescheme, Home and Tech, cashback cards and discounts.
BHN Extras latest report, referenced in the podcast and based on a 2025 survey of 2,000 UK employees, reveals the growing toll of constant availability on work-life balance, wellbeing, and employee satisfaction. From junior staff to senior leaders, the pressure to stay “on” is reshaping the way we work, and not for the better.
