My husband has just been let go from his fourth job in five years. The first time it happened was during Covid when he was laid off, but it seemed to start a pattern.
In today's job market, amid persistent inflation, job seekers want more compensation. In many cases, though, employers simply can't give more. In fact, nearly three-quarters of employers are concerned about meeting candidates' salary expectations, according to Robert Half's 2026 Salary Guide. To fill the gap, many are coming to the negotiation table with a focus on everything else in the compensation package.
