FTC hearing offers much hate for noncompetes, but a ban isn’t on the table

The agency’s Republican chair said the commission seeks “education through enforcement” rather than the blanket ban pursued by Democrats.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 28, 2026

The worker engagement downward spiral continues

Since 2020, an estimated 8 million fewer workers were actively engaged, Gallup found.

By Ginger Christ • Jan. 28, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top trends in employee development

Amid hiring freezes, employee development may be more important than ever.

By HR Dive staff

2026’s DEI priority? Making talent programs scrutiny-proof

HR can improve opportunities for all without making illegal promises or instituting policies that won’t age well when the pendulum swings back, DEI advocates said.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 28, 2026

Few executives demonstrate the ability to navigate change

Top-level leaders struggle with empathy, influence and engagement, according to a report from DDI.

By Lara Ewen • Jan. 28, 2026

Why does it take so long to hire technical talent?

A constantly shifting skills landscape has made hiring tech talent a long-term problem, but employers can do more than simply “post and pray,” experts said.

By Jen A. Miller • Jan. 28, 2026

5 minutes with New York Life’s CHRO

A former securities regulator, Joanne Rodgers is ready for a new challenge: artificial intelligence.

By Ginger Christ • Jan. 27, 2026

90% of US companies say they missed their hiring goals in 2025

The hiring market is under “unprecedented strain,” increasing time-to-hire, according to a report from GoodTime.

By Lara Ewen • Jan. 27, 2026

5 hiring trends recruiters can expect in 2026

The job market may favor employers at the moment, but that doesn’t mean recruitment has gotten easier, one expert told HR Dive.

By Kathryn Moody • Jan. 27, 2026

‘Fear’ and ‘chaos’ threaten employers’ 2026 immigration plans

Even the attorneys to whom HR departments look for guidance are vexed by the Trump administration’s enforcement plan — which is expected to escalate.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 26, 2026

Week in review: The traditional career ladder has collapsed

We’re rounding up last week’s stories, from the status of RTO acceptance to which jobs are showing the fastest salary growth.

By Kathryn Moody • Jan. 26, 2026

Teaching employees to use AI could add up to $6.6T to US economy

Adding more training to artificial intelligence implementation, rather than replacing workers, could help drive the ROI companies have been missing, according to a Pearson report.

By Lara Ewen • Jan. 26, 2026

Eightfold AI sued for alleged covert candidate ranking

As hiring tools evolve, AI companies need to comply with the legal safeguards provided by the Fair Credit Reporting Act, former EEOC Chair Jenny Yang said.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 23, 2026

‘Stark divide’ emerging in pay for in-demand roles versus stagnating jobs

Artificial intelligence-related skills are driving compensation growth, according to Aquent’s 2026 Salary Guide.

By Lara Ewen • Jan. 23, 2026

This week in 5 numbers: Less than half of workers say they want a traditional career path

Here’s a roundup of numbers from the last week of HR news — including how much time employees lose correcting artificial intelligence-driven mistakes.

By Ginger Christ • Jan. 22, 2026

Trump’s ‘no tax on tips’ brings new W-2 era

In this transition year, employers should carefully document the methods they use to track tip payments, one tax professional said.

By Maura Webber Sadovi • Jan. 22, 2026

Millennial loyalty hinges on ‘career path clarity,’ research suggests

Employers that want to retain experienced, mid-career talent must provide opportunities for long-term growth, according to a General Assembly report.

By Laurel Kalser • Jan. 22, 2026

US CEOs say uncertainty is the top economic concern for 2026

As far as governance concerns, CEOs said they were most concerned about the “potential erosion of the rule of law,” The Conference Board found.

By Lara Ewen • Jan. 22, 2026

Salary budgets to remain stable in 2026, WTW finds

Only 6% of companies said they plan to increase budgets, while 21% will reduce pay budgets from their initial projections, the report said.

By Ginger Christ • Jan. 21, 2026

Tech hiring intentions are down despite demand for tech-oriented skills, report says

“What we’re seeing is a move from broad, volume hiring to precision hiring,” Kye Mitchell, president of Experis U.S., said.

By Kathryn Moody • Jan. 21, 2026

The hidden ‘tax’ of using AI: HR pros say they must often redo its output

Some employees lost as many as 1.5 weeks per year fixing AI outputs, with HR workers reporting the highest levels of AI rework, per Workday.

By Lara Ewen • Updated Jan. 21, 2026

Is the traditional career ladder broken?

Some workers are rejecting the career ladder in favor of “portfolio careers,” Randstad said.

By Ginger Christ • Jan. 20, 2026

In a major shift, most workers say they would not quit over mandatory RTO

Amid a tight job market, employees are more resigned to accepting less flexible working arrangements, according to a MyPerfectResume survey.

By Lara Ewen • Jan. 20, 2026

Human touch vs. AI: Navigating the new hiring landscape

Job seekers are struggling to stand out in an increasingly automated landscape, a senior director of research in the Gartner HR Practice said.

By Jamie Kohn • Jan. 20, 2026

‘No Other Choice’ reflects the job market right now, data shows

The Park Chan-wook thriller about a man who takes out his job competition may be over-the-top, but it gets to the heart of what job-seekers are going through, data shows.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 16, 2026

PNC mandates 5-day RTO starting May 4

Whispers about a return to full-time office work have been stirring at PNC since CEO Bill Demchak said in a December fireside chat that remote work “hurts” companies.

By Gabrielle Saulsbery • Jan. 16, 2026