From skills-based job design to agentic AI, ADP experts provide insights on the trends and developments that will define work in 2026
ROSELAND, N.J., Nov. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ADP's 2026 HR Trends Guide reveals how organizations around the world are preparing for an AI-driven workplace. To better align people and strategic objectives, businesses are adopting a more skills-based approach and using data and technology to optimize talent, navigate compliance and enhance employee experience. The report also underscores the growing importance of HR-IT collaboration, responsible AI governance and transparency in shaping the future of work.
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See all the 2026 HR trends and gain practitioner insights
Organizations are assessing their skills inventory and aligning people with organizational goals. As AI transforms the workplace, leaders are taking a more skills-focused approach, using data and technology to identify key competencies and strategically redesign roles to align talent with business needs.
Reframing AI as a collaborative partner empowers employees to innovate, stay engaged and grow alongside evolving roles. Building this mindset requires intentional training, hands-on experimentation and leadership that models continual learning.
As countries and U.S. states consider whether and how to regulate AI in employment decisions, differing approaches are emerging. Legislation in the EU, Colorado, and other jurisdictions emphasize the importance of guardrails when AI is used in the employment context and require stricter limits, transparency and audits.
Pay transparency requirements are expanding, especially in the EU. By 2026, both the EU and many U.S. states are increasing pay transparency and equity requirements, prompting employers to provide clearer information on pay, advancement, and gender gaps.
Employers continue to face multijurisdictional compliance challenges. Employers must navigate a patchwork of local, state and federal rules, which can vary widely and change frequently. The complexity increases for employers who might be operating across different countries. Balancing compliance with multiple, sometimes conflicting laws makes creating consistent policies challenging.
Agentic AI is emerging as a core HCM capability. Organizations are leveraging agentic AI to streamline HR operations in several ways, like automating onboarding processes, simplifying validations and error detection in data-heavy workflows like payroll, and proactively generating insights from HR data with clear recommendations on actions and next steps to drive outcomes. By combining the strengths of human intuition and the power of agentic AI, organizations can foster a collaborative environment that enhances overall efficiency.
Data management is evolving as companies deploy agentic AI. Agentic AI is reshaping data management, requiring leaders to prioritize seamless data flow while addressing quality, privacy and security. Robust governance and protections are nonnegotiable as AI interacts with company data.
HR and IT are becoming more reliant upon each other as AI reshapes the workplace. As agentic AI is increasingly adopted across the workforce, human and agent interactions will be critical for the delivery of work, requiring HR and IT to work closely together to ensure work gets done effectively and responsibly so that business moves forward. For HR leaders, success will increasingly hinge on IT's expertise in selecting, implementing and managing complex technologies. At the same time, IT will rely on HR to provide insight into how these tools affect people in terms of adoption and human impact.
With continued innovation and insight, ADP supports organizations worldwide in helping people achieve greater success at work. For additional insight and resources, visit adp.com/HRTrends2026.
About ADP (NASDAQ: ADP)
ADP has been shaping the world of work with innovation and expertise for more than 75 years. As a global leader in HR and payroll solutions, ADP continuously works to solve business challenges for our clients and their workers, from simple, easy-to-use tools for small businesses to fully integrated platforms for global enterprises — and everything in between. Always Designing for People means we're focused on just that – people. We use our unmatched AI-driven insights and proven expertise to design innovative solutions that help people achieve greater success at work. More than 1.1 million clients across 140+ countries rely on ADP's exceptional service to support their people and drive their business forward. HR, Talent, Time Management, Benefits, Compliance, and Payroll. Learn more at ADP.com
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