How does our experience of adversity affect work, and vice versa?

Whatever your job is, chances are that someone you work with has been through something very difficult.

 

Most of us experience big challenges, at work or outside of it. Poor health, bullying, harassment, domestic violence or abuse can affect a person's ability to bring their best to work - unless employers know how to support them effectively. 

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Unfortunately, that's not something we find easy to talk about. HR and Wellbeing professionals are at the forefront of this challenge. They're expected to tackle engagement, productivity, sickness leave rates and design inclusive employee initiatives, often without the insights they need. 

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The Adversity & Work Survey ran from October 2025 to June 2026 and explored the unique perspectives of workers with lived experience of adversity. Key findings include:

• Two in five respondents have recently taken time off to deal with the impact of adverse experiences.

• One in four respondents do not feel safe or ready to talk to their line manager about the impact adversity has on their work.

• 83% of participants would feel safer and more engaged in a workplace than made an effort to become trauma-informed.​​