L&D professionals asked to share their insights on challenges and priorities for 2027
L&D and eLearning specialists are being encouraged to contribute to Ciphr's latest research.
HR software provider Ciphr has launched its latest Look Ahead survey exploring how the world of work is evolving, and what this means for managing people and organisations in 2027.
The research will gather valuable insights into what UK employers expect to find most challenging next year, what they are prioritising, where HR and L&D teams are focusing their energies, and how their experiences of factors like the Employment Rights Act, AI adoption, rising costs, training investment, recruitment and retention, compare.
The results of the survey will be published by Ciphr and shared with the wider HR and business community later this year. Findings from the survey will also help shape Ciphr’s blog and webinar content, guidance and resources.
The survey is open to L&D professionals and eLearning specialists, as well as senior managers, business leaders, and people working in HR, payroll, and employee benefits. It will take about ten minutes to complete and closes on 31 October.
To take part in the survey, please visit: https://www.ciphr.com/infographics/look-ahead-survey-2027.
Karen Lough, director of people at Ciphr, says: “Each year, we bring together insights from HR and L&D professionals to get a better understanding of the key concerns and priorities for UK businesses in the year ahead. The results give us a clearer perspective on what’s on their agenda and how they are navigating the common challenges facing us all.
“Every organisation has their own story to tell about how they are supporting their people while driving organisational success. And we want to hear it. I encourage you to participate in our research, and share your insights.”
In a previous study, conducted by Ciphr last year, UK employers named recruitment as their biggest workplace challenge of 2026 (employee retention topped the list the year before).
Retaining skilled staff, managing rising costs, meeting employees’ remote or hybrid working expectations, and the responsible use of AI were also expected to be prove challenging.
Ciphr’s research also revealed what employers were prioritising for their workers in 2026. Their top five priorities were:
- Providing a good range of employee benefits (46% of surveyed HR leaders)
- Ensuring a positive, respectful and healthy work environment / culture (45%)
- Providing flexible working / a good work-life balance for employees (45%)
- Paying a good average wage (42%)
- Providing regular employee training, upskilling opportunities, and career advancement (42%)
The full report is available to view at https://www.ciphr.com/infographics/challenges-and-priorities-for-employers-in-2026.
Ciphr is a UK HR and payroll software company that builds solutions for UK HR and payroll teams at organisations with 200–2,000 employees. Its connected platform brings HR, payroll, recruitment, learning and benefits together, so people and payroll teams get one accurate source of data instead of disconnected systems that don't talk to each other. Ciphr is designed around UK legislation and compliance changes, provides expert implementation and ongoing customer support, and is trusted by more than 1,400 organisations.
For more information, please visit www.ciphr.com.