#297 Workplace Wellbeing Trends for 2026

Welcome to the 297th episode of the award-winning Diverse Minds podcast! In this episode, I reflect on my workplace wellbeing predictions for 2025—what happened and what didn't—before sharing my five predictions for 2026.

In today's show on Workplace Wellbeing Trends for 2026

• Reflecting on 2025 workplace wellbeing predictions and why many didn't come to fruition. [00:33]
• Redundancy support, AI job displacement, and the disappointing removal of the right to switch off from UK employment legislation. [01:09]
• The lack of progress on workplace adjustments and disability inclusion, despite government initiatives like Work Well. [03:05]
• Managing political differences in the workplace and the ongoing crisis in financial well-being support for employees. [05:05]
• Five predictions for 2026 workplace wellbeing trends and what organisations should be preparing for. [07:47]

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Quotes on Workplace Wellbeing Trends for 2026

• Disabled people in the UK continue to experience lower employment rates and a notable pay gap compared to their non-disabled peers.
• Psychological safety is the belief that you won't be punished or humiliated for speaking up in the workplace.
• AI therapy and counselling terrifies me quite a lot. It cannot diagnose mental illness and shouldn't replace human therapy.
• Human-to-human contact is still essential. Not everyone can or should work remotely and be tech-based.
• Middle managers reported feeling overwhelmed and underprepared, with a knock-on effect felt across teams.

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Resources for Workplace Wellbeing Trends for 2026

• Episode #120: Having Conversations About Workplace Adjustments
• Episode #192: Getting Workplace Adjustments Right with Daniel Williams
• Episode #253: Election Special: The Possibilities for EDI?
• Episode #254: Is it ok to Talk about Politics at Work?
• Episode #255: Shifting Workplace Politics
• Episode #245: What is Psychological Safety at Work?
• Episode #58: Neurodiversity, Race and Culture with Jannett Morgan
• Episode #79: Neurodivergent Support with Janette Beetham
• Episode #173: Neurodivergent Support in Education with Aquayemi Claude Garnett Akinsanya
• Episode #187: Autism, Race and Culture with Reena Anand
• Download the free 200-episode guide with clickable links HERE.
• Join my Mailing List and receive a white paper on mental health and inclusion here
• Check out my TEDx talk: The Connection between Culture, Race and Mental Health
• Leave me a message on my SpeakPipe

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Work with me

Have a look at my online work-life balance course on Thinkific. You can access it here: http://bit.ly/DMMHPONC

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One-hour focused Sessions £250 1-2-1

Power Hour Sessions for Organisations

Complete the form to discuss your training needs: https://forms.gle/hgnYtmTu33Zeem489

Check out my FAQs here: http://diverseminds.co.uk/solutions/coaching/

You can learn more about the coaching I do to support your wellbeing here. 

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Remember to tune in next week, where I’ll bring you more insights on mental health and inclusion.