The 56th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting took place in Davos, Switzerland, under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.” It drew one of the highest ever turnouts of world leaders—about 60 + heads of state and government—alongside major business figures, against a backdrop of deep geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty and technological shifts. Core messages from leaders: Global unity and cooperation: Swiss President Guy Parmelin emphasized the need for collective action and dialogue to address global challenges. Geopolitical shifts: Leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron called for robust multilateralism and resistance to coercive power in the world. Economic strategy: Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng stressed that economic cooperation remains essential and that protectionism harms all. Europe’s stance: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted Europe’s efforts to adapt to new trade realities and shifting security dynamics. Security concerns: Ukrainian Pres

Eurofound Research Pay gaps between men and women – that is, when women earn less than men for doing the same work or work of equal value, or when the set-up of pay structures and career progression disadvantages one gender over another ‒ can arise for a variety of reasons, including direct and indirect discrimination. They can also stem from an undervaluation of work traditionally carried out by women. The Pay Transparency Directive goes some way towards addressing this by requiring companies to ensure that their pay structures are based on objective, gender-neutral job evaluation that supports the implementation of the work of equal value principle. It also encourages the social partners to take pay equity for the same or equivalent jobs into account in collective bargaining. This article reflects on this principle and how social partners can support its implementation. Introduction The principle that workers shall – irrespective of their gender – receive the same pay not only for th

Hrpro.be Much of the public debate about AI and work focuses on a blunt question: which jobs will disappear? A more interesting—and more uncomfortable—question is what happens after a job is disrupted. Who actually manages to land on their feet, and why? Two recent academic studies offer a useful lens on this. Together, they suggest that labour-market transitions are shaped not only by economics or skills, but also by psychology, identity, and unequal starting positions. The first study, by Sam Manning and Tomás Aguirre from GovAI, looks at how exposed different occupations in the US are to AI—and, crucially, how capable the people in those jobs are of adapting if disruption occurs. The researchers assessed 356 occupations along two dimensions: how easily AI could perform the tasks involved, and how “adaptable” the workers in those roles are. Adaptability here is not a vague personality trait, but a composite of concrete factors such as age, geographic mobility, financial buffers, and

The European Association for People Management is the umbrella organisation for HR in Europe. We bring together 36 national associations, from Iceland to Azerbaijan and from Norway to Malta. This diversity of cultures, labour markets, and legal traditions strengthens our profession and creates opportunities for shared learning. It may not be immediately clear what connects such a varied community. Differences are real, but what unites us is a common focus on the human side of working life and the ongoing task of balancing productivity with people-related considerations. During the DAAM, representatives from across Europe discussed the challenges ahead. These challenges are significant, but they underline the relevance of our profession and the contribution HR can make in supporting organisations and societies. HR has an essential role in shaping the future of work. Enjoy the read.

The recent impact webinar hosted by Antwerp Management School (AMS) regarding their research project, 'Well-being Works', provided a fresh perspective on corporate health. While many organizations invest heavily in workshops and fruit baskets, long-term well-being often remains elusive. The session challenged traditional approaches and introduced a scientifically grounded framework for sustainable change. 1. Moving Beyond Symptom Management Professor Dr. Kathleen Vangronsveld noted that the post-pandemic era saw a surge in well-being initiatives that often missed the mark. Many organizations focus on "downstream" outcomes, such as absenteeism and burnout. However, real impact requires "upstream" thinking: identifying the actual predictors of well-being in the workplace rather than just treating the symptoms. 2. The Six Hearts: A New Compass The AMS research highlights that a healthy work environment must satisfy six universal human needs: Autonomy: Having control over one's work and de

Every year, we make resolutions. We look back, we reflect, and we promise ourselves that this year will be different. We will lose weight, exercise more, work less, spend more time with family and friends, finally tackle the garden. And almost every year, most of it doesn’t happen. The same pattern applies to HR. At the start of each year, HR defines ambitions, priorities, roadmaps and initiatives. And somewhere along the way, many of them fade out. Not because they were wrong, but because daily reality takes over. Because the effort is clear, but the value is uncertain. Because we aim for targets instead of focusing on what really changes when we reach them. So the real question is not what HR’s resolutions should be for 2026, but how we formulate them — and whether they are meaningful enough to survive the year. Progress does not come from lofty promises. It comes from choices that are both relevant and feasible. From focusing less on everything we could do, and more on what truly m