Staffmark

Workforce Optics: April 2026 Hiring Trends + Insights

The April edition of Workforce Optics explores a labor market that has bounced back from February’s soft patch but is still cooling beneath the surface. We unpack what this “soft but stubborn” environment means for employers as AI, demographic shifts, and rising cost pressures reshape where and how you compete for talent in 2026.

Spring Into Compliance: 3 Safety Priorities for Employers to Keep in Mind

Spring is here. For many high-volume employers in manufacturing, distribution, and logistics, the promise of spring often includes more work, more workers, and additional safety considerations to keep in mind.
I recently sat down with Staffing Industry Analysts’ senior editorial director, Craig Johnson, to talk about what this shift really means. Here are a few of the key insights I shared about the opportunities and the growing pains of this new era:

Finding Heart In the Agentic Era

AI is reshaping hiring at speed — but speed alone won’t build the trust, engagement, and retention that workforce success demands. Staffmark CEO Stacey Lane shares how intentional AI creates space for the human moments that make work work.

Lessons from Women’s History That Stay with You

News + Events Check out the latest Staffmark timely articles, news, and stay informed about our latest innovations, awards, service lines, and more. News + Events Check out the latest Staffmark timely articles, news, and stay informed about our latest innovations, awards, service lines, and more. Lessons from Women’s History That Stay with You By […]

Workforce Optics: March 2026 Hiring Trends + Insights

The March edition of Workforce Optics explores a labor market that appears steady on the surface but is shifting underneath. February saw nonfarm payrolls decline by 92,000 and unemployment tick up slightly to 4.4%, while participation and total unemployment (7.6 million) remained largely unchanged. With insights from Daniel Zhao (Glassdoor) and Svenja Gudell (Indeed), this issue examines the trends shaping hiring, worker behavior, and workforce strategy in 2026.

Workforce Optics: February 2026 Hiring Trends + Insights

The February edition of Workforce Optics is here. This month, we examine a labor market showing early signs of stabilization after a year of slow growth. January payrolls rose by 130,000 and unemployment edged down to 4.3%, signaling renewed momentum even as gains remain concentrated in select sectors.

Workforce Optics: January 2026 Hiring Trends + Insights

December’s Workforce Optics features a return visit from economists Svenja Gudell of Indeed and Daniel Zhao of Glassdoor as they break down the job market, emerging economic trends, and employee sentiment. With BLS employment data finally returning and the government shutdown behind us, what has changed? Explore the insights inside.

The Changing Rules & Regulations for California Truck Drivers Explained

California’s trucking industry is navigating one of its most disruptive regulatory periods in years. Recent federal audits, intensified FMCSA enforcement, and longstanding California labor laws are converging at the same time, creating new compliance demands for carriers, staffing firms, and transportation employers statewide.

Belonging in Action

Creating workplaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported is more than a philosophy at Staffmark Group. It is the way we operate every day. As our workforce has become more remote and hybrid, we noticed something many companies have felt too. A sense of belonging can easily fade without intentional effort. That is why our Business Resource Groups, or BRGs, have become such an important part of who we are as an organization.

I recently sat down with Staffing Industry Analysts’ senior editorial director, Craig Johnson, to talk about what this shift really means. Here are a few of the key insights I shared about the opportunities and the growing pains of this new era:

The Good. The Bad. The Future of Hiring with AI.

Artificial intelligence is transforming how we hire — and how people apply — faster than most of us can hit “APPLY.” From AI-written resumes to automated interviews, the talent journey is evolving in real time.