Future of Work
Preparing organizations for the next era of work through innovation, technology, and agile workforce strategies.
2026 TRENDS
Workforce Evolution Accelerates in 2026
From fractional roles to polywork and hybrid models, workforce dynamics are rapidly changing — and change will only intensify in 2026. Discover how work will evolve, and explore all seven 2026 trends to stay ahead of the competition.
From AI to new models of work, the future of work is here — and HR teams are at the forefront of shaping it. Organizations must rethink where, how, and why work is done to remain competitive. This includes adopting emerging technologies, redesigning jobs, and preparing employees for the skills of tomorrow. The future of work is not a distant concept — it’s an evolving reality that requires proactive HR leadership.
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Key Data & Trends from SHRM Research:
71%
of U.S. workers want flexible work schedules, while only 14% prefer widespread AI/automation.
51%
of organizations now use AI in recruiting — the top HR function for AI adoption in 2025.
23%
Year-over-year growth in demand for HR tech skills (up 35% over two years).
Workforce Planning: The Future of Work
Anticipate tomorrow’s talent needs with proven strategies to build an agile and future-ready workforce.
Latest News
AI defaults can shape how people work. Use AI archetypes to help employees recognize theirs and coach them toward intentional, context-aware judgment.
Providence uses AI to streamline internal mobility, cutting hiring managers’ administrative work by 90%, reducing hiring costs, and improving employee retention.
Discover the latest AI news, including legislation to offset job losses due to AI and a report on how Anthropic employees have adapted to working with agents.
HR leaders are increasingly using people analytics to influence business decisions and turning data literacy into a core competency
Week one plays a critical role in how new hires perceive your organization. This culture first onboarding guide shares practical ways to create a first-week experience that builds connection, confidence, and belonging, starting day one.
Don’t Just Prepare for the Future — Lead It
AI, hybrid work, skills planning — SHRM membership equips you with forward-looking insights and tools to keep your organization competitive.
Become a SHRM Member and future-proof your workforce.
Member Resources
Use AI to check internal communications for tone, clarity, and consistency with your organization's style before sending.
Use AI to role-play difficult workplace conversations, practice responses to employee reactions, and get feedback on clarity and delivery.
Use AI to adapt training content for different regions and roles while preserving learning objectives and flagging content for local review.
Learn how AI can tag and organize HR documents, standardize library labels, identify outdated or duplicate files, and improve document search.