US employers are planning to keep salary budgets flat at 3.5% for 2026, mirroring 2025, according to a WTW report. Employers cite economic uncertainty for the stagnant budgets, while those planning higher budgets cite labor market pressures. Despite flat pay increases, employee retention has improved, with fewer organizations reporting challenges in attracting or retaining staff.

Deloitte employees have responded enthusiastically to the inclusion of Legos in the company's well-being subsidy, with many expressing excitement on internal chats and forums. Some highlighted Legos as a favorite stress-relief tool, while others were equally pleased by the broader list of eligible perks, such as kitchenware and spa services. Reactions on the Deloitte subreddit ranged from eagerness to redeem the benefit for personal hobbies to appreciation for the program's expanded offerings.

Positive emotions can enhance memory retention, even for meaningless information, according to a study in the Journal of Neuroscience that involved participants learning squiggly shapes while viewing images that elicited positive, neutral or negative emotions. Results showed that positive emotions led to stronger event-related potential signals and better recall of the shapes, highlighting the role of dopamine in memory formation.

Health insurance significantly increases the likelihood of routine medical checkups, with insured individuals nearly four times more likely to have had a recent checkup compared with those who don't have insurance, according to a study in Cureus that used 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. The study notes disparities in preventive care utilization by age, sex, income, and race and ethnicity, with researchers underscoring the need for policies that expand insurance coverage and address barriers to care.

New research uncovers the "entrainment cycle," a phenomenon where employees synchronize with their organization's relentless work pace, leading to overwork and burnout. Employees internalize the organization's rhythm, making it difficult to disconnect even during holidays or downtime, leading to a persistent pattern of overwork and psychological attachment to the organization's tempo.