---
title: The Stayconomics Brief - Edition No. 1
description: The first edition of Stayconomics Brief featuring employee retention strategies, HR news, leadership insights, workplace trends, and our latest podcast.
image: https://hi.sideup.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Stayconomics%20Brief%20Edition%20No%201.png
---
[](https://hi.sideup.com/)
- Solutions
Pre-tax Benefits
IRS-compliant, pre-tax benefits for core needs.
- [Student Loan & Tuition Smarter education funding](https://hi.sideup.com/student-loan-repayment-benefits)
- [Commuter Pre-tax transit & parking](https://hi.sideup.com/commuting)
- [HRA Health Reimbursement Arrangement](https://hi.sideup.com/hra)
- [Family Care Real support for caregivers](https://hi.sideup.com/family-care)
Lifestyle Spending Accounts
Flexible, post-tax benefits for modern life.
- [Wellness & Fitness Gym, mental health & wellbeing](https://hi.sideup.com/wellness-fitness)
- [Work From Home Home office & remote setup](https://hi.sideup.com/work-from-home)
- [Food Meals, groceries & nutrition](https://hi.sideup.com/food)
- [Utilities & Essential Bills Internet, phone & household bills](https://hi.sideup.com/utilities-essentials-bills)
ENPS
Measure and improve employee satisfaction in real time.
- [ENPS Employee Net Promoter Score](https://hi.sideup.com/enps)
Recognition
Celebrate your team and build a culture of appreciation.
- [Recognition Peer to peer & manager recognition](https://hi.sideup.com/recognition)
- Platform
For Employers
- [Manage Benefits Streamline your benefits administration](https://hi.sideup.com/how-to-manage-benefits)
- [Integrations Connect with your favourite tools](https://hi.sideup.com/integrations)
- [Security & Compliance Enterprise-grade security standards](https://hi.sideup.com/security-compliance)
For Employees
- [How to spend benefits Discover how to use your SideUp card](https://hi.sideup.com/how-to-spend-your-benefits)
- [Stayconomics](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics)
Learn with Stayconomics
Explore the ideas, research, and strategies behind workplaces people choose to stay in.
[Blog Data-backed, no-fluff articles on retention, benefits, and the future of work.](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics) [Podcast On Youtube and Spotify with the leaders who are actually figuring it out.](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/podcast) [Newsletter The best of what's happening in HR and employee retention, curated, concise, and worth your Monday morning.](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/tag/newsletter) [Events & Webinars Real experts, real questions, real takeaways you can use before the week is over.](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/events-webinars) [Explore by Topics Retention, benefits, HR tech, financial wellness, and more, organized by what you need.](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/topics-1)
- Log in
- [Employee](https://app.sideup.com)
- [Business Platform](https://admin.sideup.com)
[Book a demo](https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/lana-leles/demo)
- Solutions
- Pre-tax Benefits
- [Student Loan & Tuition](https://hi.sideup.com/student-loan-repayment-benefits)
- [Commuter](https://hi.sideup.com/commuting)
- [HRA](https://hi.sideup.com/hra)
- [Family Care](https://hi.sideup.com/family-care)
- Lifestyle Spending Accounts
- [Wellness & Fitness](https://hi.sideup.com/wellness-fitness)
- [Work From Home](https://hi.sideup.com/work-from-home)
- [Food](https://hi.sideup.com/food)
- [Utilities & Essential Bills](https://hi.sideup.com/utilities-essentials-bills)
- ENPS
- [ENPS](https://hi.sideup.com/enps)
- Recognition
- [Recognition](https://hi.sideup.com/recognition)
- Platform
- For Employers
- [Manage Benefits](https://hi.sideup.com/how-to-manage-benefits)
- [Integrations](https://hi.sideup.com/integrations)
- [Security & Compliance](https://hi.sideup.com/security-compliance)
- For Employees
- [How to spend benefits](https://hi.sideup.com/how-to-spend-your-benefits)
- [Stayconomics](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics)
- Learn with Stayconomics
- [Blog](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics)
- [Podcast](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/podcast)
- [Newsletter](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/tag/newsletter)
- [Events & Webinars](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/events-webinars)
- [Explore by Topics](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/topics-1)
- Log in
- [Employee](https://app.sideup.com)
- [Business Platform](https://admin.sideup.com)
- [Book a demo](https://meetings-eu1.hubspot.com/lana-leles/demo)
[← Stayconomics](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics)
# The Stayconomics Brief - Edition No. 1
This is the first edition of The Stayconomics Brief.
We almost didn't send it. We rewrote the opening three times. We debated the format for longer than we should have. And then we remembered why we started.
Because the conversations happening in HR right now, about retention, benefits, AI, Gen Z, and what it actually costs to lose great people, deserve more than a LinkedIn post.
So here we are. Every Sunday. No fluff. Just the ideas, numbers, and conversations worth your time.
This week, one statistic kept me thinking:
*"78% of workers would stay with their company if they had more opportunities to apply new skills like AI, making AI enablement a critical retention tool." (HRO Today)*
Companies spend millions trying to reduce turnover… while ignoring the reasons people stay.Here's what mattered this week.
— Emma Olie, Co-founder SideUp
## HR Numbers of the Week
| 69% | 78% |
| --- | --- |
| of UK companies rank benefits costs as their biggest financial challenge, yet cutting back risks long-term retention and productivity losses. [Source](https://www.consultancy.uk/news/amp/44751/over-two-thirds-of-uk-employers-say-employee-benefits-costs-are-their-top-financial-pressure) | of workers would stay with their company if they had more opportunities to apply new skills like AI. [Source](https://www.hrotoday.com/hr-technology/will-ai-drive-talent-attrition/) |
## News
### How Employee Benefits Evolved Over America's 250 Years (SHRM)
As the US celebrates its 250th anniversary, the benefits landscape has shifted from basic protections to a personalized ecosystem supporting employees through various life stages, fundamentally changing why employers offer benefits.
[Read →](https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/benefits-compensation/how-employee-benefits-evolved-over-americas-250-years)
### Over Two-Thirds of UK Employers Say Employee Benefits Costs Are Their Top Financial Pressure (Consultancy.uk)
A new Gallagher report reveals that 69% of UK companies rank benefits costs as their biggest financial challenge. While 49.7% are unclear how to appeal to a diverse workforce, cutting back on support during cost-of-living pressures can severely impact retention and engagement.
[Read →](https://www.consultancy.uk/news/amp/44751/over-two-thirds-of-uk-employers-say-employee-benefits-costs-are-their-top-financial-pressure)
### Will AI Drive Talent Attrition? (HRO Today)
Research shows a growing risk that top performers at companies lacking an AI strategy will plan their exit. AI enablement is fast becoming a retention tool, not just a productivity one.
[Read →](https://www.hrotoday.com/hr-technology/will-ai-drive-talent-attrition/)
## Featured Blogs
## Featured Podcast
In this episode, hosted by Julia Koch, we sat down with Natália Costa and Gabriel Meneses, founding partners at Trust, a boutique recruitment firm built for the new economy, to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing technology companies today.
Talent Attraction and Retention in Tech
## Upcoming Events
| 🇬🇧 SideUp HR Meetup Bristol In person \| EQ Bristol · July 14, 2026 · 9–11am FREE Sessions on talent retention, Gen Z and work culture, and 2026 workforce tax efficiency. Connect with HR leaders, founders, and operations managers from Bristol's thriving tech and financial sectors. | 🇬🇧 SideUp HR Roandtable In person \| Manchester· July 16, 2026 · 9–11am FREE Roundtable - A collaborative discussion on building stronger local business ecosystems where companies and employees grow together. |
| --- | --- |
| [Register Here](https://hi.sideup.com/sideup-hrmeetup-bristol) | [Register Here](https://hi.sideup.com/manchester) |
## Tool of the Week
NotebookLM - Google's AI-powered research assistant lets you upload your own documents, reports, surveys, policies, and instantly get summaries, key insights, and even a podcast-style audio overview. Perfect for HR leaders drowning in data who need clarity fast. Free to use.
## Quote
*"People don't leave companies.They leave experiences."*
## How SideUp Can Help
The Gallagher report puts it plainly: 69% of UK employers are struggling with benefits costs, 49.7% don't know how to appeal to a diverse workforce, and 81% still offer only limited salary sacrifice options. The problem isn't that companies don't care, it's that the tools they're using weren't built for the workforce they have today.
A multigenerational, diverse team doesn't need one-size-fits-all benefits. They need flexibility. A 28-year-old values gym access and student loan support. A 45-year-old needs family care and financial planning. A remote employee in Bristol has different priorities from someone commuting into Manchester every day.
SideUp is a flexible benefits platform built around exactly that reality. One platform that lets employees spend their benefits where they actually matter, from wellness and commuting to home office setup and essential bills, while giving employers full control over costs, tax efficiency, and engagement. No cutting back. No guessing what your workforce wants. Just benefits that work for everyone, and a business case that works for the board.
Because the best retention strategy isn't spending more. It's spending smarter.
[See how SideUp works →](https://hi.sideup.com)
[Book a demo →](https://hi.sideup.com/book-demo)
[Newsletter](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/tag/newsletter)
### Enjoyed this article?
Subscribe to Stayconomics for more insights on retention and benefits.
Email address
Subscribe
Please enter a valid email address.
You're in! We'll be in touch soon.
[](https://sideup.com)
Benefits that work for everyone.
### Products
- [Student Loan & Tuition](https://hi.sideup.com/student-loan-repayment-benefits)
- [Wellness & Fitness](https://hi.sideup.com/wellness-fitness)
- [Work from Home](https://hi.sideup.com/work-from-home)
- [Family Care](https://hi.sideup.com/family-care)
- [Food](https://hi.sideup.com/food)
- [Utilities & Essential Bills](https://hi.sideup.com/utilities-essentials-bills)
- [HRA](https://hi.sideup.com/hra)
- [Recognition](https://hi.sideup.com/recognition)
### Platform
- [Manage Benefits](https://hi.sideup.com/how-to-manage-benefits)
- [Integrations](https://hi.sideup.com/integrations)
- [Security & Compliance](https://hi.sideup.com/security-compliance)
- [Ways to spend benefits](https://hi.sideup.com/how-to-spend-your-benefits)
### Privacy
- [Privacy Policy](https://hi.sideup.com/privacy-policy)
- [Terms & Conditions](https://hi.sideup.com/terms-conditions)
### Log in
- [Business Platform](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/admin.sideup.com)
- [Employee Portal](https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/customer.sideup.com)
[Contact us](https://hi.sideup.com/contact-us)
SideUp Visa® Commercial cards are powered by Stripe and issued by Celtic Bank. Stripe Issuing balances are provided in the US by Stripe Payments Company, licensed money transmitter, with funds held at Stripe’s bank partners, Members FDIC. 919 North Market Street, suite 950 – Wilmington – DE - 19801
© 2026 SideUp. All rights reserved.
Book a demo
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : "Emma Olie",
"url" : "https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/author/emma-olie"
},
"dateModified" : "2026-07-04T19:48:21.480Z",
"datePublished" : "2026-07-04T19:48:21.000Z",
"headline" : "The Stayconomics Brief - Edition No. 1",
"mainEntityOfPage" : {
"@id" : "https://hi.sideup.com/stayconomics/the-stayconomics-brief-edition-no.-1",
"@type" : "WebPage"
},
"publisher" : {
"@type" : "Organization",
"logo" : {
"@type" : "ImageObject",
"url" : "https://hi.sideup.com/hubfs/logo.svg"
},
"name" : "SideUp"
}
}
```
```json
{
"@context" : "https://schema.org",
"@type" : "BlogPosting",
"author" : {
"@type" : "Person",
"name" : ""
},
"datePublished" : "2026-07-04T20:48:21",
"headline" : "The Stayconomics Brief - Edition No. 1",
"image" : "https://144715789.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/144715789/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Stayconomics%20Brief%20Edition%20No%201.png"
}
```