‘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

Explore the Trendline➔

Top trends in employee engagement

Employee engagement can be a bit of a puzzle. In recent years, employers have realized it’s more about meaningful work, work-life balance and well-being — and less about free snacks.

By HR Dive staff

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

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

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

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

‘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

Culture dissonance and AI among top workplace challenges in 2026

As companies embrace new technology, CHROs will need to focus on personal interactions in order to counteract these impacts, according to Gartner.  

By Lara Ewen • Jan. 16, 2026

Butterball piece-rate employee can’t revive wage claim, 4th Circuit says

The turkey loader’s claim of withheld pay was invalid, the North Carolina federal court and 4th Circuit agreed.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 15, 2026

This week in 5 numbers: Companies see 50 more applicants per role

Here’s a roundup of numbers from the last week of HR news — including how likely candidates are to score an interview from an online application.

By Ginger Christ • Jan. 15, 2026

In 2026, workers want tangible job security and professional agility, Adecco finds

Only a third of organizations invest in data needed to understand how employees can transition into new internal roles, according to the report.

By Laurel Kalser • Jan. 15, 2026

Front-line supervisors are often promoted without leadership skills, Gallup says

Employees tend to “rise to a level of respective incompetence,” being promoted “until their performance declines,” a report found.

By Lara Ewen • Jan. 15, 2026

Nearly 40% of top execs say they weighed quitting in the past year

A third of respondents cited the desire for a better work-life balance as their primary reason for wanting to leave. Other motivations included burnout, stress and the need for promotion.

By Alexei Alexis • Jan. 15, 2026

SHRM research finds ‘chasm’ emerging between supportive, unsupportive employers

In response, HR departments told the organization they will prioritize leadership and management development this year.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 14, 2026

Gender pay gap in healthcare still exists, analysis shows

Despite being overrepresented in the field, women in healthcare are still paid less than their male peers, according to Premier Law Group data analysis.

By Caroline Colvin • Jan. 14, 2026

Companies are hiring faster from a deeper talent pool

Three-month retention rates have dropped, but full-year retention rates have nearly doubled, according to new data from Employ.

By Lara Ewen • Jan. 14, 2026

Recruiters are doing more ‘legwork’ to find candidates, Glassdoor finds

Even as recruiter sourcing increases, online applications led to 1.5 times as many job offers compared to all other sources combined, Glassdoor said.

By Kathryn Moody • Jan. 14, 2026

SCOTUS asks White House to opine on shipbuilders’ no-poach dispute

Employees in the case alleged that several companies maintained an “unwritten rule” not to hire each other’s naval engineers and conspired to suppress wages.

By Ryan Golden • Jan. 13, 2026

Employees say narrative-based performance reviews are the fairest

Workers aren’t always sure how to improve when given numerical feedback, the study found.

By Ginger Christ • Jan. 13, 2026