Carolyn Crist

Managers play a key role in curbing loneliness among their team members, Cigna said.

On top of concerns about how such tools can limit employers’ ability to assess performance, other studies point to continued employee suspicion about surveillance.

Workers’ retirement hopes generally surpass their savings, which leads to growing anxiety about the future, a report finds.

The program’s interactive modules focus on productivity, collaboration, leadership and long-term career growth in the remote economy.

Workers who use AI tend to be most likely to use it to generate ideas and consolidate information, Gallup says.

“Today’s reported common practices in reward strategy are not necessarily best practice for tomorrow’s challenges,” Korn Ferry says.

CEO succession planning ranks as the most important board practice needing improvement in 2026, according to the National Association of Corporate Directors.

Employers are using data and AI to improve efficiency, reduce friction and create stronger candidate experiences, an iCIMS report finds.

For the first time, an ambition gap has also emerged, where women say they’re less interested in promotion, a LeanIn.org and McKinsey report found.

“What we’re seeing is employers responding to the economic signals with a measured and deliberate approach,” ManpowerGroup’s CEO said.

Employers can address these challenges by simplifying the hiring process and making it more transparent, LiveCareer says.

While better pay leads among job seeker desires, “better benefits” — particularly traditional offerings — comes in second.

Younger employees say the divide has brought them to tears and made them seriously consider quitting within their first year, says Kahoot.

Among soft skills, professionalism ranked second — potentially hinting at the younger generation of workers being laid-back, one expert said.

Gaps exist between where CHROs want their role to go and where the C-suite will allow it to go, The Josh Bersin Company said.

Data analysis skills, in particular, could help learning leaders improve evidence-based decision-making, ATD says.

The research is a “wake-up call for employers,” Eagle Hill Consulting said, especially amid the most demanding months of the year.

Personalized approaches — from on-the-spot praise to special projects and nonmonetary rewards — can help, Express Employment said.

HR decision makers say the CHRO role is increasing in importance, and top challenges include succession planning, benefits and the impact of AI.

“2026 won’t be defined by a hiring boom or a bust but by more balance,” HireQuest’s CEO said.