What to expect from your workplace in 2026

Looking back at 2025, artificial intelligence established itself as a major disruptor of the workforce. Read on to find out if the trend will continue and other major changes an average office-goer can expect in 2026.

Labor market experts highlight several trends likely to go mainstream in the new year.

Power skills
Experts predict that as technical tasks become increasingly automated, human-centric skills, dubbed “Power Skills,” could mark career and leadership success. These include abilities like emotional intelligence, creativity, and resilience.

Skills-first hiring
While degrees still offer a salary advantage, 2026 is likely to see a rise in skills-based hiring and on-the-job bootcamps, with companies valuing proven impact over traditional credentials.

Remote work as a perk
As return-to-office mandates increase, companies could tout remote work as a premium perk to attract and retain top-tier talent.

AI-driven performance reviews
Traditional annual performance reviews are already being replaced by AI-integrated software. The upcoming year could see these evolve and offer real-time feedback to improve manager-employee relationships.

HR technology
Human Resources departments would increasingly adopt AI agents to automate administrative tasks, allowing managers to focus on connection rather than paperwork.

Overall, the future of work in 2026 will be defined by technology taking over administrative burdens and human workers focusing more on collaboration and high-level problem-solving.