Hello Community,

The Great Resignation is over. We are facing the "Great Stay". 

With a frozen job market, ongoing layoffs amid an uncertain political landscape, AI disruption, and a looming global recession, employees are job-hugging: 75% plan to hold on to their jobs through 2027, according to Forbes. 

But staying isn't the same as being engaged.

This year, HR leaders will face a workforce that feels cautious in a polarized world. Emtrain’s 2026 Workplace Culture Report, based on 48 million employee responses, shows that change fatigue is spreading, along with measurable declines in manager empathy and psychological safety. 

Rebuilding trust in leadership and cultivating a sense of belonging and purpose will determine how people perform this year. Employee appreciation and recognition will be key strategic tools for HR, leaders, and managers to cultivate strong and resilient cultures. The 2026 Celebrations Calendar we share today aims to help you plan ahead to make recognition a daily habit, in a moment when being seen and valued is paramount.

Next week, we are kicking off the People and Culture Strategy Summit!

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from seasoned HR leaders, connect with peers, and share the challenges you are facing with our Community. 

🗞️ In case you missed it: The Mini Master on Practical Applications of AI has already started, but is still open for enrollment! Enroll now

Recognition is one of the simplest and most effective ways to build strong cultures.

It makes values and priorities real in the moments that matter, and tells people: You belong here. Your work matters. We see you.

However, in many companies, despite seeing the value and the impact of recognition, scaling initiatives can be challenging.

If this is the reality of your workplace, we see you. However, you don’t need a big budget to embed recognition into everyday life. You can use simple tools and budget-friendly strategies if you plan smart:

⭐ Want to make recognition easier, more meaningful, and consistent?

📅 Kudos has just released the 2026 Celebrations Calendar!

It’s packed with tips and inspiration for campaigns, as well as planning tools to turn special dates into opportunities to practice employee recognition and strengthen connection, engagement, and inclusion.

➡ Download your Year-Long Culture Companion

Now that you have all the tools you need to make Employee Appreciation Month (and every month) memorable, check out the amazing topics we will cover at the People and Culture Strategy Summit!

The People and Culture Strategy Summit kicks off next Tuesday!

Get ready for a three-day immersive experience (Feb 3-5, 07 am - 11:25 am Pacific Time) focused on aligning business priorities with workforce strategy, building organizational readiness for execution, and establishing systems that sustain performance over time. This free, virtual event is brought to you by Spark Hire and Emtrain.

👑 Premium members of the Hacking HR community who participate in this event can earn 13.5 SHRMs + 13.5 HRCIs + 13.5 IHRMs credits.

📜 All attendees who participate live or watch the post-event recordings may download a certificate of participation.

⭐ JOIN US! ➡ Log in to the Hacking HR LAB to explore the amazing agenda and speaker lineup we put together for you!

We have an ambitious goal: to build a hiring framework. Participate in this survey to share your experience and contribute your perspectives! It only takes 10 minutes. ➡️ Take the survey now

The initial findings will be shared by Josh Tolan, CEO of Spark Hire, during the panel “Hiring for Cultural Fit (Not Vibes): Building an Intentional Hiring Framework" at the People and Culture Strategy Summit (February 3–5), and the downloadable report will be available later this year.

ALL these Certificate Programs are included in our Premium Membership.

▶️ To check out the syllabi and enroll, log in to the Hacking HR LAB and visit the Learning Center / Certificate Programs

💬 Do you have questions about team memberships? Connect with Assia, our new Growth Director. Connect with Assia on LinkedIn. Email her at [email protected]

We are thrilled to officially announce a new Strategic Partnership between Hacking HR and People Strategy Hub!

This collaboration is born from a shared mission: to support the growth and visibility of the global HR, workforce planning, and people strategy communities. By combining Hacking HR’s global reach with People Strategy Hub’s specialized focus, we are creating a powerful ecosystem for turning foresight into action.

We are kicking off this partnership at the Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP) Summit!

📅 When: 19th March 2026 | 📍 Where: The Brewery, London

Join us in London to gain insights directly from real-world leaders, including teams from Rolls-Royce, HSBC, McDonald's, and Merck.

Join us as we shape the future of work. You can explore the full agenda and register for our exclusive UK event below.

🌟 Hacking HR community members get a 20% discount! Use the code HACKINGHR when getting your Single Pass.

👉 Strategic Workforce Planning Summit (March 19) - Explore now

👉 HR Analytics Summit (September 3) - Explore now

👉 AI Experience Live (June 16) - Explore now

☘ Every action you take in our community has ripple effects, including your membership!

Did you know that for every membership you sign up for at the Hacking HR LAB, you help reduce carbon emissions?

Hacking HR has partnered with Evertreen to fund the Madagascar Reforestation Project, which is restoring critical ecosystems, combating deforestation, and supporting local communities for a sustainable future.

➡ Learn more about this project here.

Evertreen is a London-based platform that enables real climate action through tree planting and carbon offsets, creating both environmental and social impact by supporting farmers in poverty. Companies benefit from full transparency with 24/7 satellite monitoring, geotagged photos, clear project data, and marketing support, including a branded profile page and the option to gift trees. It’s a simple, credible way for businesses to strengthen their sustainability efforts. ➡ Learn more.

👩‍🏫 Want to take your involvement to the next level? Share your knowledge with the global HR community.

We are opening faculty applications for 2026 and invite experienced practitioners to apply to teach in our Live Certificate Programs and the new Mini Master’s Degree Program in Strategic Human Capital and Global Business Leadership

This is an opportunity to share your expertise, broaden your professional presence, and contribute to the development of the next generation of global leaders.

If you are interested in becoming one of our speakers or faculty members, reach out to us at [email protected].

👩‍🏫 👋 That’s it for this edition! Before you go, stop by the Hacking HR Store to explore our merch, downloadable resources, and more.

💼 Are you part of an HR tech company or service provider? Let’s connect! If you're interested in becoming a sponsor of any of our summits, events, or learning programs, scroll down to connect with Laurie.

😊😊 We are Still Celebrating…

Take 10% off all Holiday Season gear while it lasts! Mugs that say what you really mean in meetings, t-shirts that speak fluent burnout, or digital checklists, ebooks, and templates that might actually save your sanity

Swag for your soul. Resources for your role.

👉 Visit our store

Thousands of HR executives will gather at these upcoming summits in 2026 to shape the future of work:

If your company provides solutions in HR tech, benefits, people analytics, DEI, or workforce strategy, these events are your opportunity to connect with the exact decision-makers who control HR budgets and are actively searching for partners.

👉 Book an Intro Call with Laurie Baggarly: [email protected] to explore sponsorships and secure visibility at the summits where HR leaders are making buying decisions.