Soaring responsibilities are creating pressure on the human resources department, and it's time for leadership to rise to the occasion, according to a recent survey.
In a recent survey conducted by PayFit, it has been revealed that a staggering 64% of HR teams are working beyond their limits, with one in five (20%) considering leaving the profession. This alarming finding suggests that leadership support for HR teams may be falling short.
The survey, carried out online by Research Without Barriers between 17th and 26th June 2025, involved 302 senior HR professionals working for companies with more than 10+ employees in the UK. The findings highlight the need for leaders to alleviate the strain on HR teams and support their evolving roles in the modern workplace.
According to Marie-Alice Tantardini, Chief People and Fulfilment Officer at PayFit, leaders can take several key steps to ease the strain on HR teams. One of these steps is to increase resources and support. Recognising that HR teams are taking on more responsibilities such as mental health initiatives, inclusion, and AI adoption, leaders must provide the necessary resources. However, only about 31% of leaders have increased HR headcount or provided extra budget for technology, making it crucial for leaders to boost these resources.
Another crucial step is for leaders to collaborate closely with HR. Instead of expecting HR to manage new initiatives alone, leaders should work hand in hand with HR, sharing ownership of these initiatives. This partnership ensures that HR can focus effectively on strategic priorities without feeling overwhelmed.
The survey findings also suggest that 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%). Leaders can support HR by investing in these technologies to streamline operations and reduce manual workload.
However, leaders must also focus on sustainable people-led change. Instead of simply adding responsibilities, leaders need to ensure the right tools, sufficient team capacity, and a sustainable approach to change management so that HR-driven initiatives are impactful and long-lasting.
By offloading administrative tasks through digitization and supporting HR’s strategic involvement in meaningful change, leaders can give HR space to prioritize high-impact work related to employee wellbeing, inclusion, and engagement.
The evolving role of HR offers huge potential for the modern workplace. However, it is essential for leaders to step up and support HR teams by increasing HR resources and budgets, partnering closely with HR, leveraging automation, and focusing on sustainable workload management. By doing so, leaders can help HR teams navigate the challenges of the modern workplace and make a significant positive impact on their organisations.
[1] PayFit Research, 2025 [2] Research Without Barriers, 2025 [3] Tantardini, M-A, 2025 [4] PayFit Research, 2025 (additional data)
- The recent PayFit survey, conducted by Research Without Barriers, revealed that 64% of HR teams are overworked, with many considering leaving the profession, suggesting a potential gap in leadership support for HR teams.
- As highlighted by Marie-Alice Tantardini, Chief People and Fulfillment Officer at PayFit, leaders can ease the strain on HR by increasing resources, collaborating closely, leveraging automation, and focusing on sustainable workload management.
- According to the same survey, HR teams are turning to automation to manage tasks in areas such as payroll, recruitment, and benefits administration, indicating the potential for leaders to invest in these technologies to streamline operations and reduce manual workload.
- In addition, the survey findings underscored the need for leaders to boost HR resources and budgets, ensuring a sustainable approach to change management, and prioritizing HR-driven initiatives such as employee wellness, inclusion, and engagement.
