06/11/2026
The latest CHRO Confidence Index from The Conference Board paints a picture of cautious optimism in the labor market; while overall CHRO confidence dipped slightly, hiring expectations remain positive.
Key takeaways:
-54% of CHROs expect hiring to increase over the next six months, compared to just 17% anticipating decreases.
-Workforce growth is expected to remain modest, with many organizations focusing on backfills and targeted hiring rather than broad expansion.
-75% of planned hiring increases are concentrated in specific roles or functions, primarily frontline, operational, and mid-level positions.
-Talent shortages persist, with 56% of CHROs reporting difficulty finding qualified candidates.
-Specialized and technical roles remain the most challenging positions to fill, followed by mid-level management and executive leadership roles.
-The data suggests organizations are prioritizing ex*****on, operational capacity, and critical skill sets while maintaining a disciplined approach to workforce growth.
Read the full report here: https://www.conference-board.org/publications/chro-confidence-index-q2-26
Results from the Q2 2026 CHRO Confidence Index.