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.
Every May, the U.S. observes Military Appreciation Month—a dedicated time to recognize the service and sacrifice of military personnel whose contributions so often go unseen. From Military Spouse Appreciation Day to Armed Forces Day to Memorial Day, the month serves as a collective reminder to honor those who serve and protect our country.
But recognition alone isn't enough. For the approximately 200,000 active-duty service members who transition back into civilian life each year, what they need most isn't applause, it's opportunity.
Moving from a highly structured military environment into civilian life can feel disorienting, even for the most capable veterans. The shift is complex: new rules, ambiguous hierarchies, and workplaces that often don't know how to speak the same language.
The data makes this clear. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and related sources, 14% of male veterans and 24% of female veterans receiving VA care have been diagnosed with PTSD. And more than 60% of post-9/11 veterans report difficulty adjusting to civilian life.
Yet despite this, too many organizations still lack structured, veteran-focused hiring strategies—missing a critical opportunity to engage some of the most trained, disciplined, and mission-driven talent available.
HRCI has long been attuned to this gap. Our research—and a deeper look at what winning veteran hiring programs actually look like—consistently highlights how the veteran and military spouse community remains underutilized in today's workforce. In a November 2025 HRCI poll of HR professionals:
That means most organizations are flying blind, unable to know whether their veteran hiring commitments are translating into real outcomes.
A handful of major employers—including Verizon, Amazon, Walmart, and Microsoft—have built genuinely effective military-friendly recruiting and retention programs. Their success offers a roadmap for HR leaders ready to close the gap.
Veterans bring an extraordinary range of transferable skills, but military job titles don't always translate cleanly into civilian ATS systems. Field artillery operations, ammunition technician, motor vehicle operator—these roles represent deep expertise that gets lost in translation. Organizations committed to veteran hiring should actively help candidates map their tours, training, and security clearances into resume language that makes it through screening.
Tapping into military-specific job boards, career fairs, and nonprofit partners can dramatically accelerate your pipeline. Organizations like Hiring Our Heroes (a U.S. Chamber of Commerce initiative) connect veterans, service members, and military spouses directly with employers. Specialized firms like Orion Talent and Korn Ferry also offer veteran-focused recruitment services for employers ready to invest.
Veterans thrive with clear mission and structure. Consider launching veteran mentorship cohorts or leadership development tracks that show how careers progress inside your organization. Highlighting roles that naturally align with military experience—complex project management, cybersecurity, field operations—helps veterans see themselves in your organization long-term, not just as entry-level hires.
A veteran Employee Resource Group (ERG) sends a visible, powerful signal: your experience is valued here. These groups can support veterans, active-duty members, reservists, and their families. Opening participation to non-veterans can further deepen cross-organizational understanding and inclusion.
There's a phrase deeply embedded in U.S. Marine Corps culture: "Once a Marine, Always a Marine." That sentiment extends across every branch of the Armed Forces. Military service isn't a chapter someone completes. It's a lasting identity.
The same logic should apply to how organizations approach veteran hiring. Military Appreciation Month is a meaningful moment, but a once-a-year acknowledgment isn't a strategy. Year-round, organizations have an opportunity—and an obligation—to provide meaningful career pathways, structured support, and mental wellness resources for veterans and their families.
The intention is already there for most HR leaders. The work now is closing the gap to impact. For a practical framework on building a veteran hiring program that delivers measurable results, read our guide: How HR Can Win with Veteran and Military Spouse Talent.
This article by Amy Schabacker Dufrane, Ed.D., SPHR, CAE, originally appeared in HR Professionals Magazine (May 2026). It has been lightly adapted for the HRCI blog.
About the Author Amy Schabacker Dufrane, Ed.D., SPHR, CAE, is CEO of HRCI, where she drives strategic conversations about building high-performing HR teams. An award-winning thought leader at the intersection of talent strategy and continuous learning, Dr. Dufrane is a celebrated keynote speaker on the human side of successful business strategy.
Related Learning & Resources
How HR Can Win with Veteran and Military Spouse Talent