💰️ 45% of Americans feel less financially secure

Hey HR Pros!

As we head into 2026, nearly half of Americans say their financial security is getting worse, despite positive economic headlines.

For HR teams, that gap between perception and reality is a flashing signal. Financial stress shows up at work as burnout, turnover, disengagement, and rising demand for support.

Upcoming In This Issue:

• 💰️ 45% of Americans feel less financially secure

• 📉 Women adopt AI at a 25% lower rate than men

• 🎙️ Featured Podcast: HR Leaders Podcast by Chris Rainey

• 🧑‍💼 Remote job applications fell from 27% to 16% between early 2022 and late 2024

Set Up Your 2026 HR Tech Stack with Confidence

As the year winds down and next year’s budgets get finalized, now’s the time to line up the right HR systems for 2026.

Once you’ve got approval in hand, the real challenge begins: choosing software that actually fits your team’s needs. With so many platforms that look the same, it’s tough to know which one will deliver real results. A misstep here can mean wasted budget, frustrated employees, and lost momentum heading into Q1.

That’s why I recommend our sponsor, SSR’s free HR software matching service. They’ll match you with vendors tailored to your company size, goals, and budget—so you can start the new year with a smart shortlist and a clear path forward.

What HR tools SSR can help you with:

• HRIS / HCM

• ATS

• Payroll

• LMS

• Performance Management

• EOR / PEO

 📰 Latest in HR News

• How the learning leader role is changing amid AI adoption

• Woman awarded £65k in JD Sports sexual harassment case

• OpenAI Is Prepared to Pay Someone $555,000 — Plus Equity — for This ‘Stressful Job’

• What HR needs to know about NY’s Trapped at Work Act for 2026

💰️ 45% of Americans feel less financially secure

As HR professionals, we’re witnessing firsthand how money stress shows up at work: disengagement, burnout, quiet quitting. New polling data shows that more Americans than ever feel their wallets shrinking, even as the economy posts solid growth.

Below are the most important signals from this latest data:

Key Insights

• 💸 Nearly Half Say Finances Are Declining: 45% of Americans feel less financially secure; just 20% feel their situation is improving.

• 📉 Income Deepens the Divide: 59% of Americans earning under $50K say finances are worsening, vs. 37% of those earning over $100K.

• 👩‍🦰 Gender Gap Widens Financial Fears: 62% of women believe the U.S. is in a recession, compared to 52% of men—a 10-point gap.

• 📣 Government Takes the Heat: 76% of Democrats and 72% of independents blame the government for rising prices—both sharply up since February.

read the full 624-word article here

📉 Women adopt AI at a 25% lower rate than men

One of the most eye-opening trends is the gender imbalance in AI adoption, and it’s not due to lack of access.

The implications ripple through team dynamics, performance expectations, and future hiring strategies, making this a critical issue for HR to watch.

Key Takeaways

• 📉 Women adopt AI at a 25% lower rate than men: Studies show a consistent 10–40% usage gap across industries, despite equal access to tools.

• 🤔 Ethical concerns drive reluctance: Many women fear AI use could be seen as “cheating,” especially amid bias about DEI-related hiring.

• 📱 AI is being shaped by male users: Heavier male interaction may influence AI tool design and responses, reinforcing gendered user experiences.

• ⚙️ Training must be universal, not targeted: Singling out women for AI training can backfire; inclusive upskilling helps normalize adoption across teams.

read the full 783-word article here

HR LOLs

🎙️ Featured Podcast: HR Leaders Podcast by Chris Rainey

🧑‍💼 Remote job applications fell from 27% to 16% between early 2022 and late 2024

AI may be transforming HR systems, but it’s the human skills that are quickly becoming irreplaceable.

With remote work turning from standard to standout perk, and soft skills emerging as the new competitive edge, HR pros need to rethink what it means to support, engage, and retain talent in 2026.

Key Insights

• 🤖 AI is transforming benefits ROI: HR leaders now use AI to optimize budgets, track engagement, and align offerings with real employee needs.

• 🧭 Compliance is being automated: AI tools are streamlining audits, monitoring ERISA changes, and maintaining benefit plan accuracy with less manual oversight.

• 💬 GenAI reshapes benefits communication: Personalized, on-demand explanations of complex plans are making enrollment smoother and less Zoom-dependent.

• 🌍 Remote work is now a premium perk: Remote job applications dropped from 27% to 16%—creating a new lever in the talent competition.

read the full 861-word article here