HR leaders today are caught between two powerful currents pulling in opposite directions. Budget pressures driven by economic uncertainty are making it harder to compete for skilled talent, while the rapid advance of AI and automation is raising the stakes for having the right people, with the right capabilities, in place. Getting this balance wrong can undermine an organization's ability to compete.

Asynchronous (async) video interviews, which were once considered a niche experiment in hiring, have been moving into the mainstream. In this format, candidates record answers to preset questions on their own schedule, allowing employers to review submissions later (thus not requiring synchronicity in time or location). Tools like HireVue, Jobma, and Willo provide async options, and the appeal for employers is obvious. But as the practice spreads, a more complicated story is emerging. While...

Virtual meetings have quietly built a language all their own, and once you notice it, you can’t unhear it. From quick handoffs to polite exits, these phrases act like shortcuts that keep conversations moving and everyone on the same page. What do these phrases actually mean? And how are they shaping the way we communicate and collaborate in virtual meetings?

As global fuel prices climb in response to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, employers in the United States are beginning to feel the ripple effects. Gas prices have spiked sharply at the pump, with averages in many regions pushing above $4 per gallon, adding strain for workers who commute or use personal vehicles for their jobs. In Asia, governments and businesses are experimenting with policies that help ease the burden of high energy costs on employees and the economy.

As organizations navigate ongoing talent shortages and shifting workforce expectations, many are facing two challenges at once. Experienced employees are nearing retirement, and mid-career professionals are stepping away due to caregiving demands. Flextirement offers a structured way to address both.

As today’s job market remains challenging and competitive, yet another trend has emerged for job seekers: reverse recruiting. Many professionals are turning to reverse recruiters to help them stand out and accelerate their time to hire. Acting as personalized job‑search specialists, these individuals or firms handle everything from applications to outreach, giving candidates a targeted edge in an overcrowded market.

For years, merit-based pay increases have been positioned as a cornerstone of effective talent management. The logic was straightforward: reward top performers, motivate improvement, and reinforce a pay-for-performance culture. But in today’s economic environment, many organizations are rethinking that formula. Enter the rise of “peanut butter raises” – uniform, across-the-board pay increases applied evenly across employee populations.

A new MyPerfectResume survey of 1,000 U.S. workers shows that secondary income is no longer a backup plan. It is now a core part of how employees manage their finances. According to the 2026 State of Secondary Income Report, 72% of workers rely on at least one additional income source, up slightly from last year and signaling a long-term shift rather than a temporary response to inflation.

A surprising new trend has emerged where one in three dating app users are actually on the platform for career networking and job-seeking purposes. Although many users have found success in this tactic, claiming they have gained mentorship, landed interviews, and even job offers, it presents unique challenges, especially from a human resources perspective.

Cybersecurity teams have identified an undercover network of hackers targeting HR and Payroll Systems. They started out hitting the education and manufacturing industries, but with 200 interfaces and over 500,000 users targeted and attacked already, they are increasingly expanding. Named the Payroll Pirates, these cybercriminals will target an employee’s payroll record to steal their credentials and redirect pay. They hijack processes and steal wages rather than steal data, and often...

Understanding how employees experience work continues to be a top priority for HR leaders. A new national report from Sogolytics offers timely, data-backed insight into what is shaping employee satisfaction, trust, and retention as organizations head into 2026.

As organizations enter 2026, talent strategies are being reshaped by artificial intelligence, economic caution, and rising demands for employer flexibility. What were once considered experimental practices are now becoming operational necessities, and employers that fail to adapt risk falling behind.

As organizations look ahead to 2026, HR leaders are navigating a workplace shaped by rapid change, economic pressure, and evolving employee expectations. HR is no longer just supporting the business, it is helping lead it. Based on McLean & Company’s 2026 HR Trends Report, the following ten priorities highlight where organizations must focus on building resilient, high-performing workplaces in the year ahead.

As many organizations continue nudging employees toward more in-person time, some have decided to get creative. A few have gone beyond free coffee or casual Fridays and are experimenting with perks that range from clever to unexpected. Ford recently made headlines for selling $6 rotisserie chickens in its cafeterias to encourage workers to return. They are not alone in taking an unconventional approach.

As the search for innovative ways to support flexibility and productivity continues, a new workstyle known as microshifting is gaining attention. What is Microshifting? It is short, non-continuous blocks of work rather than a standard 9-5. It allows you to break up your day as you see fit, sprinkling pockets of work in between life and vice versa.

Many managers try to steer clear of conflict, especially during stressful times like performance reviews. Rather than addressing both strengths and areas for improvement, some focus only on the positives to avoid uncomfortable conversations. This can create problems later when a new manager steps in and must confront performance issues that were previously overlooked. It’s not uncommon to hear employees say, “My last manager thought I was doing great – why am I being told...

In Japan, the practice of Inemuri, sleeping while present, is not a sign of laziness but rather a cultural nuance that reflects dedication and hard work. The term translates to "sleeping while being present," and it's commonly observed in various settings, including workplaces, public transportation, and educational institutions. Ironically, Inemuri is often seen as a testament to one's commitment to their responsibilities.

Childcare costs are placing a significant burden on U.S. families, and data now shows that these affordability pressures are affecting the nation’s labor force. According to The Care Board, a project of the University of Kansas Institute for Policy & Social Research, mothers experienced the sharpest January–June decline in labor force participation (2.8 percentage points) in more than 40 years. Fathers’ participation remains steady above 95%, suggesting that the impact...

A new trend is reshaping workplace dynamics: fewer workers want to be managers, and HR needs to take notice and plan for the rise of “conscious unbossing.”

As the workplace evolves, so does the language we use to describe it. Some HR terms capture trends, some reflect challenges, and some are just plain fun to talk about. Here’s a look at ten buzzwords that are making waves right now.

The Great Flattening – the trend of eliminating middle managers to cut costs, reduce bureaucracy, and streamline organizational charts – is rapidly spreading across industries. What began in the tech sector is now reshaping corporate structures in retail, finance, and even government.

In a time of labor market uncertainty, economic headwinds, and rapid advancements in AI, many employees are choosing to hold onto their current roles not because they are satisfied, but because switching seems too risky. This phenomenon, called job hugging, captures a shift in workplace behavior that carries significant implications for individuals, organizations, and the broader economy.

With an aging workforce and fewer young people entering the trades than in previous generations, the need to attract and inspire new talent for these industries is greater than ever. Thankfully, trade workers have taken to the social media platform, TikTok, to share their careers, and it has proven to be an effective recruitment strategy.

Even if you already have an HR department, there are times when your team simply can’t do it all. Hiring freezes, unexpected turnover, rapid growth, or special projects can stretch your HR resources thin. That’s when your HR team needs fractional HR support – experienced professionals who can step in on-demand to increase capacity, bring specialized expertise, and keep your HR operations running smoothly.

A new phenomenon is slowly gaining attention in the workplace called quiet cracking, and it’s quietly chipping away at employee morale, motivation, and productivity.