SHRM Reveals Top 5 Workplace Issues for 2026

Workplace policies and regulations are changing faster than ever, impacting every level of an organization — from executives to front-line employees. Technology, benefits, compliance, talent management, and caregiving responsibilities are reshaping how work is done and experienced. For HR professionals, CHROs, and CEOs, these shifts are not abstract trends; they are daily realities that influence strategy, culture, and risk.

To stay competitive, organizations need more than awareness. That’s why SHRM is proud to debut the Top 5 Workplace Issues for 2026, a forward-looking framework curated to provide the information and insights that HR professionals, senior HR leaders, and executives, need to anticipate change, adapt with confidence, and guide their organizations through uncertainty.

By leveraging SHRM’s tools and expertise, organizations can translate complex regulations and workforce trends into practical actions, foster inclusive workplaces, enhance employee well-being, and maintain operational and regulatory alignment.

1. Shifting AI Regulation, Ethics, and Workforce Transformation

Artificial intelligence and automation are redefining HR—from recruiting and learning to performance management and workforce planning. At the same time, a complex and shifting regulatory environment is introducing new legal and compliance risks. HR leaders must balance innovation with responsibility, ensuring transparency and fairness while preparing employees for new ways of working.

2. Escalating Cost and Design Complexity of Benefits

Rising health care expenses, new state mandates, and evolving compliance requirements are making benefits programs more difficult to design and manage. Changes in tax credits and funding models add further uncertainty, pushing HR teams to deliver competitive, fair offerings while navigating financial pressure and regulatory intricacy.

3. Mounting Workforce Shortages, Talent Gaps, and Economic Pressures

In 2025, nearly 70 percent of organizations struggled to fill full-time positions, often for roles requiring new or rapidly changing skills. This challenge is expected to grow as technology and business models evolve. HR leaders must focus on reskilling, workforce planning, and talent pipeline development while maintaining agility in a constrained economic environment.

4. Evolving Workforce Compliance in a New Legal Environment

Executive orders, Supreme Court decisions, enforcement actions, and state legislation are creating uncertainty around inclusion and diversity programs, anti-discrimination practices, and workplace policies. HR professionals must stay ahead of these changes to protect their organizations while preserving cultures rooted in fairness and respect.

5. Pressing Future of Caregiving and Workforce Well-Being

Caregiving responsibilities—including eldercare, childcare, and support for family members with disabilities—are affecting a growing share of the workforce. As demographic shifts continue, more employees are balancing work with complex personal demands. Organizations that respond with thoughtful policies and benefits will be better positioned to retain talent, reduce burnout, and sustain performance.

These issues are deeply interconnected and cannot be solved in isolation. Each requires informed leadership, strategic planning, and a willingness to adapt. To support HR professionals, CHROs, and executives in this work, SHRM has created a dedicated website hub for the Top 5 Workplace Issues for 2026, offering curated resources, research, and practical tools tailored to their unique perspectives and responsibilities.

This year, we want to hear from you. Which of these issues will be most consequential for your organization in 2026? Fill out our survey here and stay tuned for a mid-year pulse survey!

The future of work is arriving quickly. With SHRM as your partner, you can meet it prepared — equipped to lead with confidence, protect your organization, and help your people thrive.