The Top 7 HR Trends for 2026
Ever wish you had a crystal ball for your team?
Dive into the seven game-changing HR trends set to redefine 2026 — from the real impact of AI and personalized coaching, to the reinvention of recruitment, upskilling, and workforce structure. Built upon SHRM’s 2026 CEO Priorities & Perspectives research, these trends translate CEO priorities into tactical strategies HR leaders need to drive business impact and stay ahead.
Discover expert insights and bold predictions on how each trend impacts business strategy, operational efficiency, and your competitive advantage, helping you lead your organization with confidence for improved profitability, talent retention, and other measurable outcomes.
With SHRM as your guide, you’ll have the foresight, tools, and community every HR leader needs to not just keep up — but truly thrive — in 2026 and beyond.
Webinar, Dec 17 at 1PM
2026 HR Trends & Predictions
The past 12 months have brought plenty of unexpected changes to the world of HR. But what does 2026 have in store? Join James Atkinson, SHRM Vice President of Thought Leadership, and Jerry Won, host of SHRM’s Tomorrowist podcast, as they explore what emerging trends in AI, talent I&D, and more will mean for businesses. During this live Tomorrowist podcast recording, they'll discuss actionable strategies for staying ahead of the pace of change and delivering business value in a shifting marketing.
AI Hasn’t Lived Up to the Hype — But Companies Aren’t Giving Up
AI adoption is a C-suite priority, but ROI and risk management are paramount. While AI stole the spotlight in 2025 and will stay center stage in 2026, leaders are waking up to its true costs and hidden pitfalls. But the promise is undeniable, and organizations aren’t backing down; they’re recalibrating their ambitions and getting smarter about what AI can really deliver on cost savings, productivity gains, and smarter workforce decisions.
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89% of CEOs expect AI to redefine how their organizations create and capture value over the next year.
Source: 2025 CEO Priorities & Perspectives, SHRM, 2025
Cut Through the Hype: Leverage AI Where It Counts
The smartest leaders aren’t chasing AI trends — they’re mastering them. Take the next step to make AI work for your people, not against them, and explore practical tools and credentials that help you harness AI strategically and confidently.
Credential
AI + HI Specialty Credential
Equip yourself with the AI + HI Specialty Credential to harness AI for smarter, more strategic HR decision-making. Earn 30 PDCs, a SHRM Specialty Credential digital badge, and certificate to showcase your expertise.
Seminar
Building an AI-Enabled Workforce
Unlock the blueprint for building an AI-enabled workforce with this SHRM seminar. Discover proven strategies to upskill your teams, boost productivity, and future-proof your organization — all while earning 6 PDCs.
Enterprise Solution
AI Enablement for HR
Empower your HR team with AI readiness assessments, live and on-demand learning, and customized implementation plans that go beyond generic training for AI integration into your strategy and workflows.
How-to Guide
Leverage Better AI Prompts to Elevate Your HR Data Strategies
Learn how HR professionals can improve their AI prompting to analyze data effectively, predict trends, and enhance workforce strategies for better outcomes.
I&D Is About Performance, Not Causes
Inclusion & Diversity isn’t just a moral imperative — it’s your competitive edge. With shifting policies and economic pressures, harnessing the power of a diverse workforce is now mission-critical to drive business performance, innovation, and market growth.
Elevate Performance Through Business Accretive I&D Strategy
Forward-thinking leaders aren’t just checking the box on I&D — they’re leveraging it to drive business results and unify teams while ensuring legal compliance. Take the next step: unlock actionable frameworks and strategies from SHRM to build inclusive cultures, attract top talent, and spark innovation. Empower your HR team with SHRM’s expert resources to lead impactful, future-ready inclusion and diversity initiatives with confidence.
eLearning
Talent Acquisition: Inclusion & Diversity in the Talent Acquisition Space
Take your I&D strategy from concept to execution with this SHRM eLearning course. Empower your organization to move beyond compliance and unlock measurable results with actionable insights from industry experts.
Toolkit
BEAM Toolkit: Foundations of Legally Compliant Inclusion and Diversity
This resource equips organizations to build fair, merit-based workplaces where every employee can contribute and succeed
Webinar
Business Accretive Diversity: Building an Inclusion Strategy That Drives Value
Unlock the true business value of inclusion and diversity by learning how to design strategies that drive productivity, innovation, and profitability—not just compliance.
Not a Member? Pay to Watch
Seminar
Business Acumen: Aligning Business Operations and HR
Strengthen your strategic impact with this SHRM seminar. Equip yourself to seamlessly connect people strategies with business objectives, drive organizational performance, and demonstrate measurable ROI.
Workforce Fragmentation Will Peak
As micro-teams, freelancers, and AI agents reshape the workforce, old talent models are out — decentralized, project-driven structures are in. HR leaders have an opportunity to lead organizational agility to help rapidly redeploy talent, optimize costs, and respond to market changes faster.
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72% of CEOs expect an increased use of independent contractors, gig workers, and freelancers in the year ahead.
Source: 2025 CEO Priorities & Perspectives, SHRM, 2025
Maximize Impact of Fractional Work
Unlock the full potential of fractional work – explore SHRM’s practical strategies and frameworks to integrate diverse work arrangements and empower leaders to drive seamless collaboration. Build dynamic teams that consistently deliver measurable business impact, no matter how work gets done.
Enterprise Solution
PMQ+: People Manager Qualification, Plus Professional Mentorship
This program supports people managers through training and mentorship to unlock team potential, drive performance, and build a culture of growth.
Seminar
HRBP: Becoming a Strategic Influencer
Elevate your influence — The HRBP: Becoming a Strategic Influencer program empowers HR leaders to drive results and cohesion across micro-teams, freelancers, and AI agents, making you indispensable in the era of fractional work.
eLearning
Essentials of Managing a Hybrid Workforce
Learn proven strategies to build clarity, connection, and accountability across distance. Adapt your leadership approach to meet the needs of diverse, distributed teams.
Toolkit
Managing Flexible Work Arrangements
This toolkit provides an overview of practices concerning the use of flexible work arrangements as a strategic staffing management solution.
AI Coaches Will be the Death of Annual Performance Review
Make way for dynamic, AI-powered feedback loops that accelerate talent development and business execution. Data-driven performance management is rewriting the rules. By leveraging real-time, data-driven feedback, HR can become the catalyst for faster skill development, higher productivity, and stronger retention across the organization.
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61% of HR professionals say less than half of managers “effectively address underperformance or improvement areas among direct reports.”
Source: Effective People Managers: The Linchpin of Organizational Success, SHRM
Unlock High-Impact Performance Management with AI
Harness AI-driven, real-time feedback to transform performance management — moving beyond outdated annual reviews to accelerate talent development, productivity, and retention. Leverage SHRM resources for proven, ethical, and transparent AI integration strategies that put people first. Elevate your talent strategy with smarter, faster, and more impactful performance management.
Credential
People Analytics Specialty Credential
Unlock the power of AI with the SHRM People Analytics Specialty Credential to revolutionize performance reviews through data-driven, actionable insights, all while earning 22 PDCs and a digital badge.
Seminar
People Analytics: Taking Data-Driven Action
Take performance management to the next level with this SHRM Seminar – an essential resource for leveraging AI-powered insights and real-time feedback. Learn how to make smarter, people-focused decisions that accelerate talent development and business results.
Template
Sample AI Prompts for Building Employee Development Plans
Simplify employee development planning with this AI prompt template. This guide offers examples and actionable insights for managing employees’ career growth.
eLearning
People Analytics: Analyzing People Data
Enhance your AI-driven performance management approach with this SHRM eLearning. HR Leaders will equip themselves to deliver personalized feedback, ensuring every talent decision is data-backed and people-centric.
Employees Work Harder, Smarter… and Collect Two Pay Checks
With declining employee sentiment and the surge in side hustles and polywork, Organizations require a reimagined approach to rewards and engagement. Forward-thinking firms are crafting policies that support financial wellness and retention, while proactively addressing potential conflicts of interest — retaining top talent and reducing turnover costs.
Navigate the New Era of Polyworking
Stay ahead in the polyworking era — tackle side hustles, dual employment, and evolving employee expectations with SHRM’s expertise and resources. Get actionable strategies to strengthen your organization and craft smarter policies for boosted engagement and higher retention. Don’t just adapt — lead the way in redefining work and rewards.
Credential
SHRM Total Rewards Specialty Credential
Equip yourself to design compelling rewards strategies that attract and retain talent with the SHRM Total Rewards Specialty Credential. Earn 21 PDCs and a digital badge to show your expertise.
Seminar
Compensation and Benefits: Unlock the Power of Total Rewards
Empower your organization to compete in the polyworking era. This seminar helps HR leaders design compensation and benefits packages that attract, engage, and retain talent juggling multiple roles to meet the evolving needs of today’s workforce.
Seminar
Employee Engagement: Elevating the Human Experience
This SHRM seminar helps HR leaders elevate their approach to employee engagement in the polyworking era. Gain actionable strategies to foster a workplace culture that drives loyalty, productivity, and long-term success in today’s dynamic environment.
Q&A
Steps to Take if an Employee Has a Second Job During Office Hours
Learn how HR can address suspected dual employment during work hours with a structured, fair, and compliant approach using this step-by-step Q&A guide.
Recruitment Is Broken. Automation and Algorithms Can’t Fix It
AI is reshaping recruiting — but true talent that strengthens business performance demands more than algorithms. Organizations must blend smart automation with sharp human insight, using next-gen assessments and credentials to ensure no standout candidate slips through the cracks.
"The AI arms race does not benefit either side... Recruiters can't go through thousands of applications. Job seekers are demoralized to never hear from a human."
Nichol Bradford, Executive in Residence, AI + HI at SHRM.
Master Fair, Effective AI Hiring
Equip your team to leverage AI ethically and effectively – unlock smarter hiring with SHRM’s expert resources. Drive fair candidate evaluation, implement robust frameworks, and stay ahead with actionable guidance that blends technology and human insight. Transform your recruitment strategy and secure top talent with SHRM at your side.
Credential
Talent Acquisition Specialty Credential
Earn 22 PDCs, your SHRM Talent Acquisition Specialty Credential, and a digital badge
Credential
Skills-First Specialty Credential
Elevate your recruiting strategy with the SHRM Foundation Skills-First Specialty Credential. Identify, attract, and retain top talent by focusing on real capabilities — not just degrees. Earn 16 PDCs and a digital badge to show your expertise.
How-To Guide
How HR Can Write Better AI Prompts for Interview Questions
Learn how to write precise AI prompts to create impactful interview questions. This guide helps HR pros save time and optimize hiring with generative AI.
Seminar
Talent Acquisition: Creating Your Organization's Strategy
Adopt a proactive, structured approach aligned with your organization's goals. Learn innovative recruiting and sourcing techniques to develop a diverse and inclusive talent pipeline, all while earning 15 PDCs.
Training Is Dead — Long Live Real-Time Upskilling
Personalized training makes upskilling faster, smarter, and more accessible than ever. Organizations that offer tailored, continuous learning experiences will experience boosted engagement, innovation, and adaptability.
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87% of CEOs anticipate AI to drive widespread workforce upskilling and reskilling efforts over the next year.
Source: 2025 CEO Priorities & Perspectives, SHRM, 2025
Accelerate Growth with Continuous Upskilling
Reimagine L&D for seamless skill development – equip your organization to deliver personalized, real-time upskilling that drives engagement and adaptability. Enable continuous learning for your HR team using SHRM’s proven frameworks, practical tools, and expert guidance. Stay ahead and accelerate growth with SHRM at the core of your L&D strategy.
Seminar
Strategy & Leadership
Experience the next evolution in HR leadership. Join the SHRM Strategy & Leadership Seminar to master the upskilling strategies and agile leadership capabilities that empower teams to adapt, innovate, and excel in today’s fast-changing workplace.
Credential
Skills-First Specialty Credential
Transform your development and performance strategies with the SHRM Foundation Specialty Credential. Learn how to improve retention and increase workforce agility through skills-first practices, all while earning 16 PDCs.
eLearning
HR Department of One: Developing Targeted L&D Solutions
Small team? Big impact. This eLearning module provides clear, proven methods to design and deliver impactful employee development, regardless of budget or team size.
How-to Guide
How to Identify Upskilling Opportunities Through Training Needs Assessments
Upskilling starts with understanding skill gaps. Explore how to conduct a needs assessment to empower employees and align their growth with business goals.
Stay Ahead of 2026 Trends: Attend SHRM Events
Don’t wait — position your organization at the forefront of change. SHRM Events offer HR leaders exclusive access to actionable insights, hands-on strategies, and expert guidance, so you can master the seven critical trends shaping 2026. Attend as a team and save on registration to ensure your organization is prepared, agile, and ready for the future.
March 9 – 10, 2026
San Francisco, CA
Whether you're just getting started or scaling AI across your organization, join us for The AI+HI Project 2026 in San Francisco! The intimate experience brings together AI pioneers, industry leaders, and hands-on workshops that will help you navigate every stage of adoption and take your AI initiatives to the next level.
April 19 - 22, 2026
Dallas, TX or virtual
At Talent 2026, your team will gain the cutting-edge insights your organization needs to retain your top talent and attract the best candidates from a dynamic talent pool.
June 16 - 19, 2026
Orlando, FL or virtual
Join the world’s largest HR conference at SHRM 2026! With 375+ expert-led sessions, global networking, and actionable strategies, it’s your chance to stay ahead in the ever-changing world of HR.
Not a SHRM Member Yet? Here’s Why It Matters
The workplace is transforming at unprecedented speed — and the next wave of change is already here. Stay ahead of the curve and understand what's shaping tomorrow’s landscape.
As a SHRM member, you’ll gain:
- Exclusive data & insights on the 2026 trends redefining HR
- Proven tools & frameworks to navigate broken recruitment processes, embrace real-time upskilling, and prepare for the end of annual reviews
- Practical case studies & playbooks to turn disruption into opportunity and measurable ROI
- A global community of HR leaders to benchmark, collaborate, and lead confidently through uncertainty
SHRM Membership is your edge for anticipating, adapting, and thriving in 2026 and beyond.
Multiply Your Impact: Bring SHRM Membership to Your Entire HR Team
As a SHRM member, you already know the value of having cutting-edge research, actionable tools, and a powerful professional network at your fingertips. Imagine the results if your entire HR team was equipped with the same resources, insights, and strategic capabilities.
With a SHRM Corporate Membership, you can:
- Prove HR’s collective value by leveraging SHRM’s data, benchmarks, and case studies to connect people initiatives to P&L outcomes.
- Expand your team’s impact through specialty credentials, toolkits, and events that help design business-aligned HR strategies together.
- Stay ahead as a team with the latest insights into workforce trends, compliance shifts, and innovative HR practices.
- Engage your whole team with a global HR community that shares real-world solutions and strategies to accelerate organizational growth.