Survey analysis

Expert interpretation of HR and employer survey results, on topics ranging from pay and benefits to training and development.

Articles within this tool:

  • Set out the main findings and key data from the survey.
  • Explain the implications for employers of the survey findings.

Learn more

Latest items in Survey analysis

  • Pay trends May 2026: Median award returns to 2025 level

    Date:
    20 May 2026

    For the first time this year, the median basic pay award has returned to 3% - the pay rise level that was predicted in the Brightmine pay forecasts 2026 survey and the median level recorded for 2025.

  • Recruitment research 2026

    Date:
    6 May 2026

    For many UK employers in 2026, headcount is holding steady. But among those planning to grow, hiring is appearing targeted and deliberate. The Brightmine recruitment research explores hiring intentions, workforce priorities and the challenges facing recruitment in 2026.

  • Sickness absence rates and management research 2026

    Date:
    23 April 2026

    Sickness absence is a key workforce metric, providing insight into employee health, organisational pressures and the effectiveness of absence management practices. We present the latest data on absence rates and underlying drivers, alongside insight into absence management practices and employer responses to statutory sick pay reform.

  • Pay trends April 2026: Median pay award reaches 3.5% in the first quarter

    Date:
    22 April 2026

    Pay settlements edged up slightly in the first quarter of 2026, as attention turns to the April pay review period.

  • Pay trends March 2026: Pay awards edge up in early 2026 but outlook remains cautious

    Date:
    18 March 2026

    The UK median pay award for the three months to February 2026 edged up slightly to 3.3%, although this level of pay growth is not expected to be sustained across the year.

  • Pay award forecasts for 2026

    Date:
    18 March 2026

    The first pay awards of 2026 have shown some growth compared with 2025, but is this new year boost likely to last the year? We look in detail at organisations' pay award plans for the coming 12 months.

  • Labour turnover in 2025

    Date:
    24 February 2026

    As labour market conditions evolve, employers face growing pressure to retain key skills amid cost constraints, changing employee expectations and shifting workforce mobility. We present the latest data on voluntary and total labour turnover, alongside insight into retention practices and the key drivers of employee decisions to leave or stay.

  • Pay trends February 2026: A first look at the 2026 pay settlement landscape

    Date:
    18 February 2026

    Following a year defined by steady pay deals, cost pressures and a softening labour market, we turn our attention to the pay award outlook for 2026.

  • Pay trends January 2026: Little change expected in 2026

    Date:
    21 January 2026

    As we look ahead to 2026, pay awards are expected to remain close to the 3% median recorded for much of 2025.

  • Pay trends December 2025: A year of the stagnant 3%

    Date:
    17 December 2025

    After a short-lived lift from public-sector pay deals in the autumn, the UK's median basic pay award has settled back to 3%, confirming 2025 as a year of flatter, more subdued pay growth than 2024.

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Take part in our research

Brightmine research surveys cover all aspects of HR practice - see the full list of topics covered here. Our survey programme includes a mix of annual surveys on key HR metrics (eg absence, labour turnover, benefits and allowances, etc) and timely surveys on topics where HR practice changes more gradually. Each survey is open to all UK HR professionals with practical experience of the topic covered by that survey.

The Brightmine Survey research centre tells you more about our research programme and allows you to submit your suggestions for future surveys.

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