HR under strain as influence grows, finds HiBob’s 2025 HR Health Check 

The HR profession thas gained more influence in organisational decision-making, while also experiencing rising workloads and emotional pressure. The finding comes from HiBob’s2025 HR Health Check, a survey of 600 HR professionals in the UK. The survey examins the pressures facing HR profession, as organisations continue to restructure, introduce new technologies and operate with tighter resources. 

Almost 63 per cent of respondents to the survey said they are leading the biggest workplace shift in decades, while the same proportion reported being expected to protect organisational culture while implementing decisions that may undermine it. 

With this increased responsibility, 59 per cent said they are experiencing higher emotional strain than a year ago. 

More than half of senior HR respondents (53 per cent) now report directly to the CEO, reflecting a closer link between people strategy and business performance. A further 54 per cent feel more empowered to challenge or advise the C-suite on people decisions, and 88 per cent believe leadership views HR as important to organisational success. 

Despite this growing strategic role, the report highlights pressure on team capacity. Fifty-eight per cent of HR leaders expect to run leaner teams in 2026, and 46 per cent believe burnout will be the biggest business risk next year. 

Team sizes remain small: 10 per cent of those surveyed work in teams of up to three people, and 20 per cent are in teams of four to six. Yet most respondents (90 per cent) manage other employees, showing the breadth of HR responsibilities relative to team size. 

As resources tighten, HR’s focus continues to grow. When asked about their top priorities for the year ahead, respondents cited: 

• Improving productivity while managing employee wellbeing and burnout (47 per cent) 

• Upskilling employees for future business needs (40 per cent) 

• Integrating AI to improve efficiency and decision-making (38 per cent) 

To manage these pressures, respondents identified the support that would have the greatest impact: better HR technology and data tools (57 per cent), clearer strategy and goals (also 57 per cent), and more time for long-term focus (46 per cent). 

More than half (52 per cent) expect AI to take over a significant portion of HR administration by 2026, allowing more time for culture, connection and people-focused work. Forty-two per cent expect HR budgets to increase next year. 

The report highlights rising demand for connection and shared learning across the profession.  

The 2025 HR Health Check was conducted in October 2025.