In today’s workplace, a silent standoff is unfolding. Employees and employers alike are disengaging, retreating into what we are calling “cold work" from our most recent EX research study. A culture of quiet tension, mistrust, and emotional fatigue. But it doesn’t have to stay this way.

In this fireside chat, we explore how CHROs can transform this climate by identifying and approaching these hidden tensions with a set of human-centered, research-driven practices that address the root causes of disengagement. We discuss how to normalize work swaps, maintain a culture of repair, and build systems that support new ways of working, all while aligning with business outcomes.

Discover the most pressing hidden tensions shaping the modern workplace.

Hear real stories from employees and employers navigating this new era of work.

Learn actionable strategies to move beyond performative perks and into meaningful change.