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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 Reports
Featured Research

Recovery 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.

Recovery Strategy
Did You Know?
59%
Workplace Relationship Policies
say their company does not enforce policies prohibiting romantic relationships between employees
Source: HRCI Alchemizing HR poll, January 2025
89%
Leadership Overreach
say leaders take on problems that should belong to someone else
Source: HRCI Alchemizing HR webinar poll, April 2026
55%
Political Discussions at Work
of HR professionals are somewhat, minimally, or not at all prepared to handle politically-charged discussions at work
Source: HRCI Report — Managing Political Polarization in the Workplace, 2025
Recent Reports

Original research and expert analysis on the issues shaping HR today, from workforce safety and emerging technology to DEI and employee well-being.

Managing the Changing Workplace

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.

The Secret Ingredients of Workplace Fulfillment

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.

The Vital Role of Professional Development

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.

Small Conflicts Don't Stay Small

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

The 2026 State of HR Report

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 Report

State of HR Spotlight Reports

Safety, Polarization, and Stress

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 and Their Outlook for HR

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.

HR Professionals and Technological Change

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.

Attitudes Toward Remote Work

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.

Professionals Problem Solving

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. 

 

Research Archive

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.

 

Ai Superpower
Extreme Weather and the Workplace

From rising absenteeism to safety risks, HRCI research reveals how extreme weather is reshaping workforce management and what HR can do now.

Ai Superpower
Strengthening AI Skills in HR

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.

Empowering the Intelligent Workplace

Explore how HR can turn AI adoption into a strategic advantage—balancing innovation with ethical responsibility.

Becoming Recovery-Friendly

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.

Diversity Initiatives in 2025

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.

Managing Political Polarization in the Workplace

This report provides critical insights and actionable strategies for HR leaders to foster a more harmonious and productive work environment. 

Webinar online learning

Beyond the Data

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.

 

HR Leads Business Blog

News and perspectives on the issues driving the HR profession forward.

Dec 12, 2024, 18:26 PM by The HRCI Team

AI in Recruitment: Humans in the Loop for Hiring Success

Get expert insights on the transformative role of AI in recruitment by combining human oversight for more effective hiring. Learn best practices to enhance talent acquisition and reduce bias, ensuring a successful recruitment process.

Earlier this year, HRCI had the opportunity to welcome Kat Kibben of Three Ears Media back for an Alchemizing HR session on AI in recruitment processes and automating job postings. Kat, a renowned recruiting expert, has spent the last several years researching, testing, and teaching hiring teams how to write better job posts. With this, Kat has witnessed firsthand how the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has impacted hiring strategies—and outcomes.  

Effectively Using AI in Recruitment Processes for Job Posting Success 

To start, Kat explained that if HR and talent teams want to create job posts that get the right people to apply, the best approach is to combine humans and AI. Since AI doesn’t know when a person is telling the truth and isn’t smart enough to ask, Kat recommended drafting the job posting first and then using AI to optimize rather than the other way around.  

Talent Acquisition Best Practices with Ethical AI 

To help mitigate bias from the start, Kat offered practical advice to help today’s talent and HR professionals navigate the nuance of creating effective and truthful job postings. Consider the following actions:  

  1. Rethink how job postings are structured. A “good” job posting tells the truth about a role and aligns candidate expectations with the job. That said, traditional job postings are often laden with historical and structural biases, including overly masculine language and unnecessary “preferred” requirements. Focus on what’s most important: tasks, impact, and minimum requirements.   
  2. Adopt ethical AI practices. AI works best when paired with clearly defined objectives and human oversight. By building practices that reflect this, it becomes possible to use AI for basic tasks that promote expediency without letting the technology make decisions. The goal should always be for AI to complement rather than replace human judgment.  
  3. Invest in job posting training. Poorly written job postings contribute to mismatched expectations and high turnover, resulting in costly mistakes for businesses. As AI advances, HR and talent teams need to know how to ask better questions during a hiring manager intake to understand what the position entails. Working to improve these skills will surface bias sooner and ensure continued alignment between humans and AI by knowing precisely what’s needed upfront.  
  4. Prioritize equity every step of the way. Humans and AI are equally at fault when it comes to introducing bias into job postings. To overcome this, HR and talent teams need to train on what bias to look for AND ask AI what bias exists. For instance, once intake is complete, use practical tools to evaluate and refine language, such as Google Trends for job titles and AI-powered bias detection. Review the results and think through anything that might alienate candidates—like years of experience—and work to improve accessibility before starting the search.  
  5. Measure impact. Regularly review job posting effectiveness based on application volume (more than before), quality of applicant (higher match to job posting) and retention over the first 60 days. This type of data will provide a baseline for understanding what works (and doesn’t) and help inform edits and updates. It can also uncover new opportunities for research, collaboration, and additional improvements. 

The Future of Artificial Intelligence in Hiring 

As Kat reinforced, job postings aren’t just a way to attract applicants but also how candidates determine whether they want to work for a company. That’s why hiring requires connection and humanity—even with AI in the mix—because people need people. Finding the right balance enables HR and talent teams to keep that focus, mitigate bias, and support hiring success.  

If you’d like to enhance your recruitment expertise and stay ahead of the ever-evolving hiring landscape, consider the HRCI Pro: Talent Acquisition certificate. This comprehensive program equips you with essential skills in attracting top talent, making informed hiring decisions, and effectively managing the candidate experience. Learners will also earn a digital badge to showcase their competency and commitment to excellence in talent acquisition.  

Related Learning and Resources

HRCI Pro: Talent Acquisition