Harvard Business Review
RSS Feed9 Trends Shaping Work in 2026 and Beyond
Original Published: February 2, 2026
🎯 Impact Sentiment: Neutral
📋 Summary
- CEOs are still betting big on AI for future growth, even though their teams are facing the current limitations and challenges of AI at work.
- Employees are reporting higher stress and burnout, partly driven by constant change, shifting priorities, and ongoing uncertainty about AI's role.
- Work expectations are becoming more fluid, with new flexible schedules, hybrid work models, and ongoing efforts to balance employee well-being with productivity.
- Companies are investing in continuous skills training and clearer career development pathways to help employees adapt and stay relevant.
💡 JR Insights
- 💼 Implication: Work is definitely not returning to “normal,” and both the human and tech sides of business are in flux. Skills that seemed secure a few years ago may soon be outdated, but organizations investing in training could give their teams a much-needed edge.
- 🚨 Risk: If businesses overpromise on AI and underdeliver, trust will erode. Employees may feel left behind or anxious about their future if support and upskilling aren’t prioritized. Burnout isn’t just a buzzword: it’s a retention and performance killer if left unaddressed.
- ✨ Takeaway: Staying employable through 2026 and beyond depends on being flexible, open to learning new things, and willing to speak up about real workplace challenges. If you want job security, focus on adaptability, communication, and skill development—don’t wait for someone else to fix things for you.