Salary budgets for 2026 are projected at 3.4%. That sits well below the post-pandemic peaks and below what most of your people expected. Meanwhile, posted pay ranges and legally protected wage conversations mean your people arrive at the review with data. A manager script alone cannot hold that conversation together. This article explains the upstream work that makes the low-raise discussion manageable, and what to say when the number is small or zero.

Boomerang employees made up 35% of all new hires in March 2025, the highest share ADP has tracked since 2018. That changes the question from "should we ever rehire a former team member" to "when does it make sense, and how do we do it without losing the team that stayed." This guide walks through both.

Talent acquisition and recruitment are not the same thing, and the gap between them has a measurable cost. This article breaks down what a modern talent acquisition strategy actually looks like, how it differs from reactive hiring, and what five components your organization needs to build one that works.

Last updated: May 2026

Most organizations have a succession plan. The bigger question is whether it will hold up when needed. Here's how succession planning and replacement planning differ, why mid-sized organizations tend to default to one over the other, and what it takes to build a plan that works.

Performance review timing affects manager workload, compensation fairness, and employee engagement. What is the best schedule to drive results in your organization?