The HRCI Research Hub brings together original studies, workforce polling, reports, and expert analysis, so you can act on what's happening now and prepare for what's next.
The State of HR Featured ReportsRecovery as a Workforce Strategy
Drawing on HRCI research, workforce data, and expert insight, this report examines the workplace impact of substance use disorder and the practical steps HR can take to strengthen culture, manager readiness, benefits, policies, and recovery support.
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Original research and expert analysis on the issues shaping HR today, from workforce safety and emerging technology to DEI and employee well-being.
From return-to-office decisions and hybrid work to contractors and other non-traditional workers, this HRCI report explores the latest research and how HR can use data to make more informed, evidence-based workplace decisions.
From career paths to culture, this research identifies what actually separates HR professionals who are just getting by from those who are truly fulfilled—and what leaders can do to close that gap and build a more committed team.
This research uncovers where professional development is falling short, from misaligned training priorities to gaps in AI readiness, and what it takes to build a workforce equipped for what's next.
From bullying, political tension to substance use and violence prevention, this research covers workplace safety—what the data reveals, what's at stake, and what you can do to reduce risk and build a more resilient organization.
The State of HR
Based on HRCI’s survey of thousands of HR professionals, the State of HR report examines the issues defining the profession today. From AI and workplace culture to talent, leadership, and career growth, the report reveals how HR teams are adapting to change and preparing for the future. Explore the data, trends, and insights shaping the world of work below.
Download the Full ReportState of HR Spotlight Reports
Half of HR professionals work in environments marked by polarized viewpoints, and 4 in 10 describe their stress as extreme or high. Find out what the data reveals about conflict, mental health, and what it means for your organization.
HR professionals are broadly optimistic about their field — but over 4 in 10 are considering careers outside of it. Explore what's driving both the enthusiasm and the tension, and what it takes to build a team of true HR believers.
71% of HR professionals use AI regularly, yet more than half say implementing new technology is the area they feel least prepared to handle. See where the preparation gap is widest and what needs to change now.
83% of HR professionals believe remote work benefits organizations—but the debate is far from settled. Get the data on where HR stands on flexibility, productivity, and the return-to-office conversation.
More Insights for HR Professionals
Explore the issues shaping HR today and get the data you need to lead with confidence, make informed decisions, and move the profession forward.
Recovery friendly workplaces reduce absenteeism, improve retention, and strengthen workplace culture—yet most organizations haven't made meaningful progress. This HRCI and Fors Marsh research reveals why: stigma, undertrained HR teams, and weak leadership buy-in top the list. Understand where the gaps are and what organizations that get it right do differently.
Earning an HRCI certification builds earning power. Within four years, the median HRCI certificant earns 33% more than they did before getting certified. That's double the salary growth of comparable HR professionals over the same period. See what the data shows about the career and financial impact of HRCI certification.
HR is ready to lead, but is the organization ready to let it? This 2024 HRCI and MindEdge research report surfaces a striking disconnect: while 88% of HR professionals believe HR should drive business strategy, only half say leadership agrees. Add in underfunding, understaffing, and persistent burnout, and the case for rethinking HR's role has never been stronger.
AI is reshaping the workplace, and HR professionals are watching closely. This HRCI and MindEdge survey of HR practitioners reveals how the profession is navigating AI adoption, persistent burnout, rising turnover, and the evolving push and pull of remote work. Find out where your peers stand, and what the data means for the work you do every day.
Browse our complete library of research reports, guides, and frameworks. Whether you're building a business case, navigating a workforce challenge, or staying ahead of what's next, the intelligence you need is here.
From rising absenteeism to safety risks, HRCI research reveals how extreme weather is reshaping workforce management and what HR can do now.
Over three-quarters of HR professionals use AI weekly, but most have had little to no training. Learn how to build real confidence and capability starting today.
Explore how HR can turn AI adoption into a strategic advantage—balancing innovation with ethical responsibility.
This research-backed guide gives HR professionals the data and practical steps to build a recovery-friendly culture that reduces risk and supports your people.
The report explores the realities of managing DEI programs in today’s climate—where values alignment, stakeholder trust, and business performance are all on the line.
This report provides critical insights and actionable strategies for HR leaders to foster a more harmonious and productive work environment.
HRCI webinars go beyond the basics. Each session unpacks the trends, data, and real-world strategies HR professionals need to lead with confidence today and adapt to what's coming next.
News and perspectives on the issues driving the HR profession forward.
Unsure about the difference between certification and accreditation? You’re not alone. Yet for practitioners seeking a bona fide human resource management credential that’s respected and valued by the HR profession, as well as the organizations that employ them, it’s important to understand the difference between these two terms.
The two terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not synonymous. This has created misunderstanding in multiple fields and industries, not just HR. So, to help you invest time and effort wisely along your career journey, here’s a look at what other professions say about certification and the importance of accreditation.
In the laboratory setting, the National Voluntary Laboratory Association (NVLAP) says:
The two terms create “tremendous confusion in the marketplace,” posts John W. Locke, former president of the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation and manager of NVLAP, in Quality Digest magazine. “This seems strange, considering that professed quality practitioners (people who should understand the pitfalls of ambiguous definitions) use these [two] words constantly.”
Laboratory accreditation, similar to the accredited measurement of competency for a profession, ensures that test reports (or skills and knowledge) are acceptable and comparable everywhere in the world. In the laboratory setting, this enables labs to compare test data with other accredited labs and helps labs reduce delays and costs. For professions, including HR, accreditation allows businesses to assess and compare credentials with confidence.
Hospital professionals are also baffled by the terms. The Joint Commission, which ensures safety and quality in health care, devoted a whole white paper to the topic. Massage therapists also scratch their own heads over the two terms.
“The term certification is often used as a catch-all term for several different activities that apply to the credentialing of individuals and institutions,” notes the American Massage Therapy Association. “This fuzziness of definition has resulted in confusion when it comes to discussing credentials.”
What’s important to note is that accreditation and certification should be viewed in a hierarchy: Accreditation is for the bodies and organizations that perform certification. “Accreditation is the confirmation that a certification body is able to thoroughly assess clients against these requirements and issue certificates in an impartial manner,” posts Accreditation Services International (ASI), an assurance partner for leading sustainability standard systems and initiatives.
The higher education field, for most people, is where most students and their families confront the importance of accreditation. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) campaigns to inform prospective college students about the importance of exploring each institution’s accreditation standards. The CHEA website even alerts students and parents about “degree mills” and “accreditation mills” that are bogus.
“Accreditation is like a very hard test,” CHEA concludes. “It requires every part of a school or program to be examined and judged by experts. If the school or program passes the test, this means that it lives up to its promises to students. You can trust what the school or program tells you about its courses, its teachers, the services it provides and what you will need to pay (tuition and fees).”
This is also good advice for professionals to follow when seeking out certifications and training programs. Do your homework. Find out if the program is accredited or not. If not, think carefully about what that says about the organization and its credentials. Not all organizations are willing or able to subject their certification programs to the objective scrutiny of an accrediting body. This is unfortunate since accreditation is a great way to know if program is telling the truth about the value of its programs.