Blog 5 top employee experience trends for 2026 Last updated: December 3, 2025 Calculating… The workplace is evolving rapidly, so what trends will shape employee experience in 2026 and beyond? Here are our predictions. As we look ahead into 2026, it’s time to reflect on the successes of the past year and start planning your employee engagement and internal communications strategy for the year ahead. This year there has been a strong focus on intranet AI and its responsible use. But the workplace is evolving rapidly, so what trends will shape employee experience in 2026 and beyond? Here are our five predictions for key employee experience trends set to shape the industry this year. AI analytics and reporting Measuring the success of internal communications has always been essential. but when tasks pile up, it can fall down the priority list. Without clear metrics, how can you ensure your efforts resonate or make a real impact? Why invest time crafting campaigns if the intended audience fails to engage? The challenge is amplified when critical messages get lost in a sea of emails or are poorly executed. That’s where AI steps in. The promise of AI lies in its ability to transform vast amounts of data into actionable insights, quickly, efficiently and with minimal effort on the communicator’s part. For IC professionals, this is a game-changer. Imagine having a tool that not only tracks all of your intranet analytics but also analyses it to provide tailored recommendations for optimising campaigns and content. How does this enhance employee experience? AI intranet analytics can personalise the intranet experience, creating an engaging user-friendly environment that places employees at the centre. This creates a sense of belonging. Furthermore, this tool will help communicators demonstrate their impact, reinforcing the strategic importance of internal communications in achieving organisational goals. AI supported content Generative AI has already been a game-changer in helping internal communicators communicate with their people. It allows you to create compelling content effortlessly, save you time and deliver personalised news to your people. From crafting company policies, to creating relevant news, AI empowers you to elevate your communications to the next level. You can also adjust tone and amend drafts with ease. This trend will shape internal communications throughout 2026 and beyond. Looking ahead, AI’s role in internal comms will only grow. Beyond content creation, we’ll see AI assisting in scheduling content, crafting data-driven campaigns and producing diverse content formats tailored to individual preferences. This trend has the potential to reshape the internal communications landscape, making it more dynamic, responsive and impactful. As we progress through 2026 and beyond, the question isn’t whether to embrace AI in internal communications, but how best to do so. By leveraging AI thoughtfully, IC professionals can elevate their craft, driving engagement and organisational success. More short-form video content The rise of TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts has shown the power of short-form video in grabbing attention and delivering messages effectively. This trend is making its way into company intranet software platforms, and for good reason. Research shows that people retain 95% of a message when watching it on video, compared to just 10% when reading text. This is a game-changer when communicating with your people. How can short-form video transform internal comms? Simplify complex procedures and processes Increase transparency and build trust Create a culture of inclusivity and collaboration Boost engagement with visually appealing content Short-form video is more than a passing trend. It’s a powerful tool for modern workplaces looking to communicate effectively and connect with their employees. Mobile focussed experiences With an increasingly remote and deskless workforce, mobile-first strategies are no longer optional, they’re essential. Employees expect seamless access to workplace tools, communication channels and resources on their devices. Internal communications platforms need to prioritise mobile experiences to keep up. What does this look like in practice? Mobile-optimised content that adapts to different screen sizes Instant mobile notifications to ensure timely communication Interactive features, like surveys and polls that encourage engagement Personalised targeting so employees receive the right message at the right time By prioritising mobile and an employee engagement app, organisations can create more accessible and flexible environments that cater to a diverse workforce. Different media types based on preferences One-size-fits-all communication is a thing of the past. Employees now expect content that caters to their individual preferences. Whether that’s video, podcasts, infographics or interactive articles. AI plays a critical role in this shift. How does AI enhance diverse media formats? AI tools can analyse employees’ content consumption habits and recommend preferred formats for each individual Content can be dynamically delivered in formats that resonate most with specific employee segments. A complex report might be auto-converted into an infographic for visual learners or a podcast for auditory learners AI-driven platforms can generate tailored suggestions for engaging formats, ensuring that communication is inclusive and effective across the workforce By leveraging AI to personalise communication styles and formats, organisations can ensure their messages reach employees in the most engaging and accessible ways possible. Embracing the future of employee experience 2026 is shaping up to be a transformative year for employee experience and internal communications. From AI intranet analytics to mobile-first strategies, the trends outlined above aren’t just about improving processes. It’s about creating meaningful connections that drive engagement, retention and organisational success. So as you plan your internal communications strategy for the year ahead, ask yourself how can you leverage these trends to make a real impact? By embracing these innovations thoughtfully, you’ll be well-positioned to meet the needs of your employees and achieve your organisational goals. Oak Engage is here to make communication simple. We’re built to drive real results and help you achieve your objectives.
The workplace is evolving rapidly, so what trends will shape employee experience in 2026 and beyond? Here are our predictions.
As we look ahead into 2026, it’s time to reflect on the successes of the past year and start planning your employee engagement and internal communications strategy for the year ahead. This year there has been a strong focus on intranet AI and its responsible use. But the workplace is evolving rapidly, so what trends will shape employee experience in 2026 and beyond? Here are our five predictions for key employee experience trends set to shape the industry this year.
AI analytics and reporting Measuring the success of internal communications has always been essential. but when tasks pile up, it can fall down the priority list. Without clear metrics, how can you ensure your efforts resonate or make a real impact? Why invest time crafting campaigns if the intended audience fails to engage? The challenge is amplified when critical messages get lost in a sea of emails or are poorly executed. That’s where AI steps in. The promise of AI lies in its ability to transform vast amounts of data into actionable insights, quickly, efficiently and with minimal effort on the communicator’s part. For IC professionals, this is a game-changer. Imagine having a tool that not only tracks all of your intranet analytics but also analyses it to provide tailored recommendations for optimising campaigns and content. How does this enhance employee experience? AI intranet analytics can personalise the intranet experience, creating an engaging user-friendly environment that places employees at the centre. This creates a sense of belonging. Furthermore, this tool will help communicators demonstrate their impact, reinforcing the strategic importance of internal communications in achieving organisational goals.
AI supported content Generative AI has already been a game-changer in helping internal communicators communicate with their people. It allows you to create compelling content effortlessly, save you time and deliver personalised news to your people. From crafting company policies, to creating relevant news, AI empowers you to elevate your communications to the next level. You can also adjust tone and amend drafts with ease. This trend will shape internal communications throughout 2026 and beyond. Looking ahead, AI’s role in internal comms will only grow. Beyond content creation, we’ll see AI assisting in scheduling content, crafting data-driven campaigns and producing diverse content formats tailored to individual preferences. This trend has the potential to reshape the internal communications landscape, making it more dynamic, responsive and impactful. As we progress through 2026 and beyond, the question isn’t whether to embrace AI in internal communications, but how best to do so. By leveraging AI thoughtfully, IC professionals can elevate their craft, driving engagement and organisational success.
More short-form video content The rise of TikTok, Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts has shown the power of short-form video in grabbing attention and delivering messages effectively. This trend is making its way into company intranet software platforms, and for good reason. Research shows that people retain 95% of a message when watching it on video, compared to just 10% when reading text. This is a game-changer when communicating with your people. How can short-form video transform internal comms? Simplify complex procedures and processes Increase transparency and build trust Create a culture of inclusivity and collaboration Boost engagement with visually appealing content Short-form video is more than a passing trend. It’s a powerful tool for modern workplaces looking to communicate effectively and connect with their employees.
Mobile focussed experiences With an increasingly remote and deskless workforce, mobile-first strategies are no longer optional, they’re essential. Employees expect seamless access to workplace tools, communication channels and resources on their devices. Internal communications platforms need to prioritise mobile experiences to keep up. What does this look like in practice? Mobile-optimised content that adapts to different screen sizes Instant mobile notifications to ensure timely communication Interactive features, like surveys and polls that encourage engagement Personalised targeting so employees receive the right message at the right time By prioritising mobile and an employee engagement app, organisations can create more accessible and flexible environments that cater to a diverse workforce.
Different media types based on preferences One-size-fits-all communication is a thing of the past. Employees now expect content that caters to their individual preferences. Whether that’s video, podcasts, infographics or interactive articles. AI plays a critical role in this shift. How does AI enhance diverse media formats? AI tools can analyse employees’ content consumption habits and recommend preferred formats for each individual Content can be dynamically delivered in formats that resonate most with specific employee segments. A complex report might be auto-converted into an infographic for visual learners or a podcast for auditory learners AI-driven platforms can generate tailored suggestions for engaging formats, ensuring that communication is inclusive and effective across the workforce By leveraging AI to personalise communication styles and formats, organisations can ensure their messages reach employees in the most engaging and accessible ways possible.
Embracing the future of employee experience 2026 is shaping up to be a transformative year for employee experience and internal communications. From AI intranet analytics to mobile-first strategies, the trends outlined above aren’t just about improving processes. It’s about creating meaningful connections that drive engagement, retention and organisational success. So as you plan your internal communications strategy for the year ahead, ask yourself how can you leverage these trends to make a real impact? By embracing these innovations thoughtfully, you’ll be well-positioned to meet the needs of your employees and achieve your organisational goals. Oak Engage is here to make communication simple. We’re built to drive real results and help you achieve your objectives.
