HR confronted with escalating tasks - it's high time for management to take the lead, suggests latest poll
Struggling HR Teams Call for Leadership Support Amidst Increasing Workloads
In a survey conducted by PayFit, it has been revealed that a significant number of HR teams are struggling to manage their workloads, with 42% of teams stating they are expected to take on new responsibilities without any additional resources. This heavy workload has led to 88% of HR professionals admitting that at least one area of their role has suffered, and nearly one-third (32%) experiencing reduced work-life balance.
One of the areas that have been particularly affected is mental health support, with 53% of HR professionals reporting increased stress levels. This is followed by diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, employee experience and engagement, and benefits administration, which are most likely to suffer when workloads become unmanageable for HR teams.
Despite the increase in workload, only 31% of leaders have increased the HR headcount. However, many HR teams are turning to automation to create breathing room. Digitisation is common in payroll (62%), time and attendance tracking (44%), recruitment and applicant tracking (42%), and benefits administration (39%).
Marie-Alice Tantardini, Chief People and Fulfilment Officer at PayFit, suggests that leaders should step up to help ease the strain on HR teams. She emphasises the importance of authentic and empathetic leadership communication, leveraging automation to reduce administrative burden, building and sustaining strategic relationships across the organization, prioritising continuous learning, personalised onboarding, and health & wellness programs, modernising the HR function with a strategic focus, and embedding frequent, meaningful recognition to boost engagement.
These strategies, if adopted, can create a supportive environment that enables HR teams to manage their workload sustainably while increasing their strategic contribution and overall engagement. The survey also revealed that 29% of HR professionals are considering leaving the profession, and one in five (20%) are already considering it. This highlights the urgent need for leadership support to match the ambition and alleviate the strain on HR teams.
The survey involved 302 senior HR professionals working for companies with more than 10+ employees in the UK. It was carried out online by Research Without Barriers between 17th and 26th June 2025. The evolving role of HR offers significant potential, but it is clear that leadership support is crucial to ensure HR teams can thrive and deliver on their strategic responsibilities effectively.
- The heavy workload faced by HR teams has a notable impact on their mental health, with 53% of HR professionals report increased stress levels, indicating a need for enhanced mental-health support.
- To alleviate some of the administrative burden, HR teams are adopting automation in various areas, such as payroll (62%), time and attendance tracking (44%), recruitment and applicant tracking (42%), and benefits administration (39%), with the aim of creating more breathing room.
- As workloads continue to increase, Marie-Alice Tantardini, Chief People and Fulfilment Officer at PayFit, recommends that leaders adopt more supportive strategies, including modernising the HR function with a strategic focus, prioritising continuous learning, personalised onboarding, and health-and-wellness programs, to foster a more sustainable work environment, improve worker engagement, and prevent further attrition within the HR profession.
