The 2026 HR Forecast Webinar: Rising Above Talent, Benefits, and Compliance Turbulence

Navigating HR challenges in 2026 will center around three critical areas: transparency, trust, and technology.

In “The 2026 HR Forecast: Rising Above Talent, Benefits, and Compliance Turbulence,” G&A Partners’ expert panelists explore the major HR shifts you can expect in 2026 and how to prepare, including:

• The evolution of technology and the rise of skills-based hiring in a unique job market
• How transparency, trust, and growth opportunities are critical to employee retention
• Cost-containment strategies that help manage rising costs without sacrificing a quality benefits package
• The significant role managers play in navigating workplace changes driven by new compliance requirements

2026 HR Forecast Highlights

G&A’s panelist line-up features seasoned experts across recruiting, retention, benefits, and compliance. They consist of:

• Host Alex Osborne, Vice President of Client Success, who brings 20 years of professional expertise in implementation, operations, client retention, and executive management.
• Eleesha Martin, Director of Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO), with over 25 years of diverse talent acquisition experience across multiple industries.
• Susan Crowder, HR Manager of Client Success, who offers 25+ years of experience driving business objectives through innovative HR strategies and large-scale change initiatives.
• Brett Brown, Director of Benefits Administration, with nearly 20 years of expertise focused on quality assurance, provider networks, and contract negotiations.

Crowder and Martin emphasize that being transparent within your organization and building trust with employees and job candidates will be key to success in the coming year.

“Trust and transparency are the new currency,” says Martin, who expects the job market to evolve into a relationship market in 2026. “So, organizations that will win in 2026 are going to be those that focus on building real relationships with their employees and creating environments where people can stay and thrive.”

Martin expects AI will continue transforming the recruiting process but says organizations that balance technology and human connection effectively will “strengthen decision making while still upholding things like transparency, fairness, and trust.”

Our expert panel also offers real-world examples and advice on managing the expected HR shifts in 2026. At the forefront for many employers and employees is the rising cost of healthcare, which Brown warns could force employees to look for other employment. A strategic and deliberate approach to your employee benefits package can help.

“The broader recommendation I have for all is just this: to be very intentional about your benefits package,” says Brown. “It's such an important piece of an employee's compensation and their overall satisfaction at work. I can almost guarantee that most don't fully understand all the features and all the benefits that they have at their fingertips. So, take that time, educate them, remind them, think about wellness, and make it a really good 2026.”