What in the World Will 2026 Hold for Employees and Companies? cover art

What in the World Will 2026 Hold for Employees and Companies?

What in the World Will 2026 Hold for Employees and Companies?

Listen for free

View show details

About this listen

 What you'll learn: Jackye Clayton and John Baldino kick off 2026 with predictions for employees and companies alike. They discuss why retention rates will improve this year but warn that staying does not mean loyalty -- it means safety. The conversation dives into U-Haul migration data showing Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina as the top five destination states and what that means for where companies should recruit. They explain why skills and competencies are not the same thing, why Gen X faces a retirement reality very different from their parents, and why younger workers actually do want ping pong tables, overnight oats, and good coffee if the culture is right. The episode also tackles the growing pushback against toxic online behavior in HR and the struggle organizations face when inclusion is a stated value but no one is empowered to lead it. Retention rates will improve in 2026, but employees are staying out of safety not loyalty U-Haul data shows Texas is the number one destination state, followed by Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and South Carolina Companies are relocating headquarters to Texas for 10-year tax breaks and available commercial infrastructure Gen X does not have the same retirement plans as their parents and watched pension funds dry up Younger workers want hybrid or in-person work with genuine culture, not just remote options Skills and competencies are not interchangeable: skills are one part of an overall competency that includes knowledge, abilities, and aptitude Watching LMS videos does not equal upskilling or competency development Organizations that claim to be skills-based but refuse to train are not actually skills-based Inclusion remains a stated company value but no one holds the mantle, leaving everything reactive instead of proactive Online toxicity in HR spaces is discriminatory and may face a professional reckoning this year [00:12:03] What is in store for employees and companies in 2026 [00:13:02] Do not sell yourself short when seeking new opportunities [00:17:46] Retention improving but not from loyalty: the safety net effect [00:28:02] U-Haul migration data: where talent is moving and why [00:32:49] Companies relocating to Texas for tax breaks and infrastructure [00:35:28] Younger workers wanting hybrid with real culture and connection [00:43:54] Skills versus competencies: the Sheldon Big Bang Theory analogy [00:46:06] Skills are teachable but organizations refuse to invest in training [00:22:05] Pushback against toxic online behavior in HR communities [00:24:48] Inclusion as a value without anyone empowered to lead it Keywords: talent migration, retention 2026, skills vs competencies, company culture, Gen X retirement, Texas relocation, hybrid work, DEI inclusion, employee expectations, workforce predictions
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.