We're running out of snappy ledes about how the labor market has roiled from economic challenges...and it seems we're going to need to get creative. While slightly more employers plan to hire in Q1 2026 than in Q4 2025, many anticipate continuing to hold off, citing economic uncertainty, a new ManpowerGroup survey found. Forty-three percent of employers plan to increase their staff in Q1 2026, while 16% are planning reductions, according to the survey, which tracked responses from 6,000-plus employers in the US.
Workforce planning shifts constantly as organisations respond to changes in skills availability, internal staffing pressures, and new forms of work. Leaders often find themselves examining gaps long after they begin to affect productivity. Teams can function for months with mismatched strengths, unclear expectations, or inconsistent performance signals. A more structured way of collecting and interpreting data can ease those pressures. Technology designed for assessment brings coherence to decisions and helps managers read their workforce with greater clarity.
The more accurately you can predict the demand for your services, the better your position will be when the demand actually arrives. This is particularly important in the case of perishable goods that need to be sold before the season ends. For example, if you're selling turkeys for Christmas, you'll need to take orders early on. Strengthen your supply chain before peak hits
The quarterly confidence index, which is based on responses from business leaders, has declined to 88, down from 89.5 in Q2 2025 and 107.1 in Q2 2024. The results also indicate that SMEs are in an era of cautious optimism amidst economic uncertainties. While more than half of all those surveyed anticipate increased revenue (57%), 22% foresee a decline in profitability in the next 12 months.