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.
HRCI® certificants know from experience that HR certification supports their personal careers and improved workplace outcomes. In fact, a 2018 Payscale study validates certification’s pivotal role in the human resources profession.
The study’s findings suggest that HR professionals are turning to certification to support their ability to evolve. Likewise, companies are recognizing the value of having an HRCI-certified practitioner within their ranks.
For example, Payscale notes that those who earned a Global Professional in Human Resources® (GPHR®) from HRCI, experienced a 16% increase in pay, reflecting the added value the GPHR certification brings to an increasingly global workforce.
In 2020, we are experiencing unprecedented changes in the workplace and its workforce. Earning an HRCI certification now becomes more valuable than ever before. Here’s why.
The HR profession has evolved and experienced several changes in the past decade. The expansion of the global economy, a blossoming of HR technology and automation, and the progressive shift to remote work have altered business practices and the role of HR practitioners. Earning an HRCI certification enhances the HR professional’s ability to be agile and adapt to the new demands of both the workforce and the work environment.
Our certificants gain access to the larger HRCI certifying body, which provides invaluable perspectives through times of change. “Having access to other certified professionals has helped me pivot through these changes,” says Zaranique Pope, SPHR, Chief HR Officer at DotHouse Health. “I can tap into their expertise, and they reach out to me for my expertise.” Their certification demonstrates that they are a credible source of expertise, she says.
Dr. Salvatore Falletta, GPHR, Drexel University Professor of HR, upon reflecting on his HRCI certification, said: “It gave me a well-rounded global perspective to learn to design, develop and implement HR programs while considering the contextual nuances of country laws and cultural differences.”
HR certification is becoming more valuable to businesses, and that is reflected in increased compensation practices.
Certification was associated with a 17 percent boost in pay in 2018. By 2018, the Payscale study found that it had increased to 31.6 percent. “Organizations are looking at HR now as a necessary partnership that will help the organization continue to grow and be successful,” Pope says. “They’re looking to their HR departments for guidance more so now than they ever have.”
Certified professionals are prepared for this: They’ve learned and dealt with changes behind the scenes for years. Maintaining certification supports continued learning and development. “Organizations are looking to certified professionals for that expertise and guidance,” Pope says. “It made employers look at me more seriously as a professional.” This is increasingly reflected in job postings in which an HR certification is a requirement.
According to Payscale, 55.7 percent of CHROs are certified, demonstrating the immense value certification brings to organizations and professional careers.
Certification is especially valuable in small to midsize companies, where there is a preference for requiring a professional certification over advanced HR degrees, Falletta says. This speaks to the broad basis of HR knowledge that it takes to pass professional-level HR certification exams. “HR is such an interdisciplinary profession,” Falletta says. “Certification demonstrates anywhere from a broad to an advanced foundation in the field grounded in the major functional areas of HR.”
Maintaining your certification requires continuing education in HR, which gives HRCI certificants another competitive edge over their peers. “It impacts the way I function as an HR professional,” Pope says. “Having certification forces you to stay current on what’s happening in the world from an HR perspective.”
This is not to say that having advanced HR degrees is not highly valued by some organizations. What is lacking is the incentive to pursue continued education and development learning opportunities. Certified HR professionals bring the added value of pursuing continuing education built on a broad base of HR knowledge. “As a professor of HR, I highly encourage my students to supplement it with certification,” Falletta says.