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.
If your company’s talent management strategy is still based on the oft-repeated adage: “Hire slow, fire fast,” your organization may be losing out in the war for top talent.
Human resource and hiring managers must adopt new rules and more efficient strategies to attract and retain the best employees, says Scott Wintrip, the author of High Velocity Hiring and the featured speaker in a new HR Certification Institute webinar, Mastering the Changing Rules in the War for Top Talent.
Be "quick to hire and faster to inspire," advises Wintrip, the CEO of the Wintrip Consulting Group. That is the practice of the most "talent rich" organizations, which are also, he notes, the businesses that are most often looked up to for industry leadership and innovation.
Becoming Talent Rich
Wintrip, in the HRCI webinar, provides an overview of his Talent Wealth Spectrum, a way for HR leaders and stakeholders to determine whether the business is Talent Rich, Talent Strong, Talent Stable or Talent Poor. Talent Rich companies ― only about 10 percent of organizations ― have nearly zero time to hire by anticipating future hiring needs and maintain a constant flow of top talent. Less than 20 percent of firms are Talent Strong, operationally successful and able to innovate at times. The majority continue to labor, scramble and struggle due to inefficient talent pipelines.
To reach the top of the talent spectrum, Wintrip shows how a company can adopt a "red-carpet" candidate experience that completely flips the logic of traditional hiring processes.
"The old way of hiring is keeping the job open until the right person shows up." Such practices create unnecessary obstacle courses for candidates who have more choices than ever thanks to ongoing talent shortages and more options than ever to work and enjoy the flexibility that comes from being an entrepreneur in the gig economy. "The new way of hiring is cultivating top talent and waiting for the right job to show up.”
Using Multiple Talent Streams
By taking advantage of eight distinct talent pools, companies can not only develop more efficient hiring practices, they can create a surplus of candidate options. Wintrip identified eight talent streams: advertising, automation, candidate mining, market presence, networking, referrals, talent manufacturing and talent scouts.
No single stream, he warns, will help a company secure all the qualified talent, so it’s vital to phase in all the streams over time. Typically, companies use only one or two streams, the reason there is "a low flow in so many organizations when it comes to talent. This low flow is feeding a process that takes a long time because there isn’t enough talent to choose from. And so, the old way of hiring persists ― keeping a job open until the right person shows up."
Wintrip said he began thinking about a better flow of talent after learning that average time to fill reached an all-time high of nearly 30 days in 2016. While many blame talent shortages for increased time to hire, he believes it is a process issue that can be overcome with smarter hiring practices and better coaching of hiring managers.
HRCI Recertification Credits
HRCI invites you to learn more by viewing the webinar co-sponsored by HRCI and Top Employers Institute. HR practitioners who hold HRCI certifications can also earn one business credit toward recertification by watching the replay of the webinar, Mastering the Changing Rules in the War for Top Talent.