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 ReportsManaging the Changing Workplace: A Framework for HR
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.
Original research and expert analysis on the issues shaping HR today, from workforce safety and emerging technology to DEI and employee well-being.
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.
From rising absenteeism to safety risks, HRCI research reveals how extreme weather is reshaping workforce management and what HR can do now.
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.
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.
How does your organization make decisions? If yours is like most, return on investment (ROI) is often the primary metric, and that’s generally not a bad thing. As the saying goes, we are all on “Team Revenue.”
Yet ROI is not the only criteria you can use to make difficult decisions, especially when it comes to potentially divisive issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Determining your company’s values—the ideals held up as important by employees, customers, community members, and other stakeholders—and using those to guide your actions can be a powerful tool.
Without information on company history and feedback from stakeholder groups, performance numbers often lack essential context and can therefore tell only part of the story.
“The most effective leadership teams make decisions based on a deep understanding of what their core constituencies value,” said Dr. Amy Dufrane, CEO of HRCI. “When they take action, they can do so with confidence. If your organization doesn’t have that kind of confidence—if you are guessing—then there is work to do.”
To help organizations better understand their values and how to use them, HRCI created Beyond ROI: A Guide to Values-Based Decision-Making. While the strategic process differs in every organization, the guide presents a basic framework to assess organizational values and use those values to evaluate strategic initiatives. The guide evolved during development the HRCI whitepaper HR Weighs In: Diversity Initiatives in 2025, which offers detailed information on important questions HR professionals face when addressing DEI initiatives.
The corporate landscape is littered with companies that ran afoul of stakeholder values and paid a price, whether in declining sales or reputational damage. Anheuser-Busch and Target are only two.
Yet there are also companies that followed their values and came through difficult situations unscathed. There are few better examples than Costco.
When activists tried to get shareholders at the membership-driven warehouse store to roll back DEI efforts, Costco looked to its company values and held firm to its position. The company’s board wrote a forceful and articulate argument urging shareholders to reject the proposal. They said Costco’s practices are in line with company ethics and laid out the business case for the initiatives Costco supports.
“As our membership diversifies, we believe that serving it with a diverse group of employees enhances satisfaction,” they wrote. “Among other things, a diverse group of employees helps bring originality and creativity to our merchandise offerings, promoting the ‘treasure hunt’ that our customers value. That group also helps to provide insights into the tastes and preferences of our members. And we believe (and member feedback shows) that many of our members like to see themselves reflected in the people in our warehouses with whom they interact.”
On January 23, 2025, shareholders voted overwhelmingly against the effort, and Costco saw no negative impact. When it reported quarterly earnings on March 6, revenue and net sales were both up at least 9% over the same period in the previous year. Fees supplied by the company’s 78.4 million paying members also increased, and the company reported a renewal rate of more than 90%.
HRCI’s guide to value-based decision-making contains powerful ideas on how to determine organizational values, undertake a planning process, and communicate effectively.
The whitepaper on DEI initiatives included survey responses from hundreds of HR professionals worldwide to determine how organizations are addressing diversity and how HR professionals feel. It covers what companies and nonprofits are doing, who is helped and who is hurt, how strategies are being adjusted, and what HR professionals think about what they see. It also contains case studies, suggestions, and a full discussion of how companies can assess and adapt their efforts.
Dufrane said that because Costco upheld the values expressed by its leadership, its employees, its customers, and its shareholders, the company has largely avoided criticism over its DEI stance. By contrast, many other companies have made decisions out of alignment with company values, sending stakeholders mixed messages and leading to problems. The lesson, Dufrane said, is that values matter.
As she put it, “Understanding how employees, customers, and shareholders feel about DEI is essential for making decisions that align with both organizational values and business goals.”