The Latest in Research
Worker Confidence Index: First Quarter 2026
What is the Worker Confidence Index? The Worker Confidence Index (WCI) measures employee attitudes, confidence levels, and overall security in their jobs. Unlike other indices, the WCI addresses the employee perspective through extensive online interviews among workers in the US that are 18 and older. The WCI tracks job security, compensation expectations via the Likelihood of a Raise index, career mobility via the Likelihood of a Promotion index, and trust in company leadership. By tracking these performance indicators, the WCI can show the quality of contribution workers will make. Q1 2026: What is impacting the labor market? Unemployment edged up to 4.4% as nearly 170,000 jobs were added in March. However, layoffs rates are steady and downward job revisions have been common. The Federal Reserve is opting to keep rates steady, for now. Economists expect one rate cut this year. Additionally, the US stock market had its worst annual start since 2022. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 both fell. The US Consumer Confidence Index® is still remarkably low, mirroring falling levels of consumer spending. As prices continue to rise, consumer spending is predicted to fall to 2.7% this year. Overview of the Worker Confidence Index: Overall, the WCI increased
Exclusive Report | AI and the Rise of the Supergeneralist
Future of Work and the Rise of Supergeneralists By Larry Basinait, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Research, HRO Today Artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of work, and with it, the definition of talent. As organizations adapt to rapid technological change, workforce strategies are evolving away from narrowly specialized roles and toward a new kind of professional: the Supergeneralist. Our latest research reveals that organizations increasingly value professionals who can adapt across disciplines, connect ideas, and apply strategic judgment in ways AI cannot replicate. While AI excels at processing information and automating tasks, human versatility, creativity, empathy, and contextual decision-making are becoming the true differentiators in the modern workforce. The report explores how HR and talent leaders are responding to this transformation and what organizations must do to remain competitive in an AI-augmented economy. From workforce planning and talent acquisition to learning, organizational design, and leadership development, the findings point to a future where adaptability is the new currency of career success. Key insights from the research include: 65% of HR leaders worldwide believe AI will increase demand for generalist roles. Organizations are prioritizing learning agility, cross-functional collaboration, and strategic thinking over narrow technical specialization. Soft skills such as emotional
2025-2026 CHRO Compensation: The Minority Report
2025-2026 CHRO Compensation: The Minority Report Research by Alexis Whyte As part of the 2025 CHRO Compensation study, HRO Today surveyed HR executives from North America and EMEA, asking questions that cover racial and ethnic minority groups’ compensation and representational diversity within the workforce, and compiled publicly available CHRO compensation data. This information was used to expand upon the CHRO Compensation Report, adding context and insights to compensation trends and shifts from a racial and ethnic minority perspective among senior HR leaders. Overall, HR is becoming increasingly impactful to company performance and metrics. HR’s top position, typically the CHRO, is now a crucial part of the C-Suite. With higher levels of responsibility, HR executive compensation should accurately reflect the industry’s growth. But how do HR executives feel about their compensation compared to their growing roles? And how do these insights change with company size, perceived levels of representational diversity, and comparability, or fairness, in compensation by race or ethnicity? The Impact: Several studies show diversity within the workforce leads to more inclusive practices, higher employee retention, and better overall financial success. However, as some US-based companies repeal their DEI initiatives, the perceived importance and value of representational diversity could shift,
Flash Report | Is AI Solving TA Challenges?
Is AI Solving TA Challenges? Research by Alexis Whyte HRO Today conducted a study of talent acquisition (TA) leaders across North America who are actively incorporating AI into their recruiting strategies. Drawing on insights from organizations already using these tools, this report explores how TA leaders are leveraging AI to address hiring challenges, what they expect its impact to be, and how they are preparing their teams and processes for broader adoption. Talent acquisition is changing rapidly, becoming an integral piece to organizational success amid an unpredictable hiring landscape. However, over half of TA leaders agree persistent issues like talent shortages, low quality hires, and lack of visibility into the talent supply, continue plaguing their organization’s TA function. Implementing AI into TA processes can eliminate manual workload, reduce personal bias, and decrease overall costs. Looking ahead, widespread utilization and continuous innovation will continue changing the TA landscape. AI technologies will continue integrating into the TA function, though this won’t define technological progress. Over three-quarters of TA leaders believe AI adoption will significantly impact the TA function. To keep up, TA processes need to become smarter, offer better predictive decisions, and bring increasingly impactful outcomes. The Significance: Effective TA strategy
Worker Confidence Index: Monthly Analysis 2026
The Worker Confidence Index (WCI) report examines changing attitudes and perspectives of the American worker. However, HRO Today‘s traditional WCI report is based on quarterly findings, found here, through extensive online interviews of workers. Since the US economy and labor market have been markedly volatile and ever-changing, HRO Today is publishing shorter, monthly updates to the WCI to further examine the root cause behind quarterly changes and shifts in worker attitudes. May 2026: The monthly WCI and its indices all declined after April’s sudden jump. Job Security felt the smallest decline, by 2.8 points, likely caused by a stagnate labor market experiencing mild growth amid consistent layoffs. Unemployment has been steady around 4.3% and 7.6 million jobs were added in April, the most since May 2024. The Likelihood of a Raise index felt the starkest drop, by 17.8 points, as raises are less typical mid-year and the economy constricts. Overall, workers are feeling less confident, though the level of decline is mainly attributed to falling expectations in a raise. Confidence among American workers is dropping amid prolonged conflict in the Middle East, rising prices and inflation, and an unmoving labor market. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index® dropped by
2026 HRO Today Annual Top Concerns of CHROs©
Top Concerns of CHROs 2026: From Experimentation to Execution Research by Larry Basinait The sixth annual Top Concerns of CHROs report captures insights from 259 senior HR leaders across North America, EMEA, and APAC, offering a clear view into the priorities shaping the future of work. As organizations navigate accelerating AI adoption, persistent skills shortages, and ongoing disruption, CHROs are shifting from exploration to execution, focusing on driving measurable impact across the enterprise. Leadership readiness has emerged as the defining challenge for 2026. Concern over senior leaders’ ability to lead in a rapidly evolving, AI-enabled workplace has risen sharply, alongside continued pressure to strengthen manager effectiveness. At the same time, organizations are grappling with ongoing talent shortages, cultural transformation, and heightened economic uncertainty, including a significant rise in concern over a potential recession. Inside the HR function, burnout has reached critical levels, with four in five HR leaders expressing high concern. Yet despite the urgency around skills gaps, progress in upskilling remains limited, exposing a disconnect between strategic priorities and execution capabilities. Meanwhile, AI adoption has surged, with more than three-quarters of organizations now leveraging AI in HR, particularly in workforce analytics. The conversation is no longer about adoption, but
Global Labor Market Unemployment Report – Q4 2025
2025 Q4 Global Labor Market Report Overview What is the state of the global labor market? Geopolitical tensions and lagging economic growth have weakened the global labor market. Unemployment continues to fluctuate but is high in advanced economies and among women and youth. What is affecting the global economy? Slow trade, unstable international supply chain management, and weakened consumer demand continue wreaking havoc on the global economy. The volatility of the US-imposed tariffs, historically, could lead to rising unemployment rates and lower inflation worldwide. Regional Overview: North America: The United States did not meet predicted economic growth in the fourth quarter, partially due to lower domestic spending and the 43-day government shutdown. According to revised data, only 181,000 jobs were added throughout 2025. Canada’s economy shrank as manufacturing fell dramatically. Despite minimal job growth, Canadian unemployment decreased. Asia Pacific: Technology-based investments and exports fueled APAC’s economic growth. China faced its slowest quarterly growth since 2022. Japan’s economy expanded amid rising domestic demand. India continued its robust economic growth as real estate and services thrived. Unemployment varied, though the region struggles with youth unemployment. Europe, Middle East, and Africa: The euro area’s economy expanded as headline inflation finally began to cool.
Human Resources New Technology Quarterly Summary: Q4 2025
Total HR technology investment rose to $935 million in the fourth quarter, totaling $3.7 billion throughout 2025, a decrease of 40% year-over-year. HRO Today’s Human Resources New Technology summary includes newly released HR products, acquisition activity, and funding rounds. Recently, these announcements have intensified in specific areas of HR, like talent acquisition, reflecting labor market needs. Additionally, activity can reflect economic implications and workforce trends. Read the full report to learn more about recent HR products, investment rounds, and movement within HR technology throughout Q4’25, including a review of activity throughout 2025.
Worker Confidence Index: Fourth Quarter 2025
The Worker Confidence Index (WCI) increased slightly in the fourth quarter after a tumultuous year. American workers are feeling more confident, driven by increases in company leadership trust. In this report, HRO Today examines workforce trends, economic conditions, and recent job market stagnation. Additionally, this report examines other factors that may affect worker confidence, including falling levels of job security. Read the full report, sponsored by Yoh, to understand the trends in worker confidence and its impact.
