In today’s market, HR professionals must adapt to the changing expectations of organizations and employees amid difficult economic conditions. As such, proactive HR leaders and professionals will approach 2024 with strategies that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into everyday operations, satisfy employee demands for greater compensation and flexibility, and conform to evolving compliance standards.

Currently, health care costs in the United States are high and rising, outpacing inflation and wage increases. While many employers had relatively lower claim costs during the COVID-19 pandemic, medical plan costs are approaching pre-pandemic levels as health care utilization rebounds.

“Bare Minimum Monday” is one of many recent employment trends to gain popularity on social media. Similar to “quiet quitting,” this trend entails employees prioritizing their work-life balance and mental health by doing the least amount of work possible on Mondays to avoid burnout during the rest of the week. The practice is generally in response to underlying issues, such as lack of engagement and stress. It's essential for employers to understand this trend so they know how to support employees' well-being and, in turn, reap the benefits of a healthy workforce.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the consumer price index (CPI) rose 6.5% year over year in December 2022, down from 7.1% in November. Moderating inflation is a welcome relief for Americans and a positive development for the Federal Reserve (Fed) and other policymakers; however, the fight against inflation isn’t over.