I remember when I got my first BlackBerry. Until then, my work tech setup consisted of a regular office environment, a mobile phone and a laptop. The phone didn’t have email access, and the laptop, when shut down, was nothing more than a piece of metal sitting on my desk. In other words, I had no idea if requests were piling up in my inbox unless I was actively working.
Then came the BlackBerry.
Whatever version it was, my handheld device featured a little light that illuminated when a message was waiting. Even when I wasn’t supposed to be working, I’d see the light and think, Maybe I should check in—take care of that waiting message and get it out of the way.
But, as all readers of HR Executive know, that was a slippery slope. Messages are never truly “out of the way.” There are always more. And in 2025, it’s not just email—far from it.
ADP recently released its 2025 HR Trends report, offering HR leaders guidance on navigating shifting workplace priorities. One trend that stood out to me is that employee experience and wellbeing are expected to remain “ongoing business priorities.”
In the report’s executive summary, Jason Delserro, chief talent acquisition officer at ADP, highlighted how remote work and advancing technology have created a whirlwind of five to six communication channels constantly vying for employees’ attention. While this connectedness can be beneficial, it also means the workforce is more tuned in to work responsibilities than ever before.
“This can greatly impact mental health and employee stress because work and life are now so integrated and intertwined,” writes Delserro. “One of the best things leaders can do is help employees set boundaries that will give them more balance and ultimately result in better employee wellbeing.”
Wellbeing technology is transforming the employee experience, playing a vital role in combating burnout while helping organizations attract and engage talent, according to the report. The paper’s authors say that as organizations adapt to the post-COVID-19 workplace, many are upgrading benefits to support mental, physical and personal health. Firms, especially larger ones, are prioritizing investments in mental health solutions, stress management tools and personalized benefits programs.
This delivery of wellbeing benefits highlights one of the many balancing acts HR leaders face today: integrating technology, including wellbeing tools, with the human touch, such as helping employees set boundaries.
What do you think? Is this a challenge your workplace is grappling with as we head into the new year?
HR tech in the news
Bullhorn has joined Salesforce’s Agentforce Partner Network, bringing its Candidate Matching AI agents to Salesforce customers. The company also launched the Bullhorn Recruitment Cloud and Bullhorn Recruitment Cloud Marketplace.
Uniplay launched its game-based Learning Management System, combining game design, microlearning and AI for corporate training initiatives. The platform also offers real-time insights and rewards while streamlining training management for HR and L&D teams.
Secchi, a provider of employee relationship management software, has introduced an AI-powered instant performance review feature. This tool streamlines evaluations into one click, turning performance data into actionable insights while saving managers time.
Daxtra has launched Daxtra Engage, an AI-driven tool for candidate engagement through multichannel communications and a streamlined dashboard. The update includes a new interface and support for all Daxtra integrations, WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business.
Umwelt.Ai integrates AI, machine learning, natural language processing and behavioral science to deliver real-time sentiment analysis and insights. Unlike traditional survey-based platforms, Umwelt.Ai continuously gathers employee feedback across touchpoints for proactive interventions.
More from HR Executive
Many CHROs aim to adopt AI and predictive analytics but are focused on streamlining operations and integrating systems. While some explore AI for tasks, others prioritize building data structures to support the future. Read more about which HR tech investments are top CHRO priorities.
Business results are key, writes Casey Foss, West Monroe’s chief commercial officer. Productivity should focus on improving quality—not just output—and AI plays a role in driving profitability and maintaining a competitive edge. See the five steps Foss recommends for AI integration that powers growth.
As the focus on employee experience grows, HR will adopt customer-centric strategies to boost engagement and satisfaction. Analysts from IA predict more personalized employee journeys, including tailored onboarding, continuous feedback and customized development plans.
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