Workspan Daily News Bytes for April 10, 2026

Workplace Tech Tops List of CHROs’ Current Concerns

Chief human resources officers (CHROs) ranked artificial intelligence (AI) and workplace digitization as their most immediate organizational concerns. That is according to a 2026 CHRO Survey Report released by the CHRO Association in partnership with the University of South Carolina’s Darla Moore School of Business.

Ninety-one percent of respondents included those workplace technology topics among their top five concerns.

Other issues weighing heavily on these leaders included:

Talent acquisition and recruiting automation (30%)
HR service delivery and employee self-service (17%)
Learning and skills development (14%)

When looking at AI adoption, survey respondents’ top cited challenges included:

Employee fear of job loss (19%)
Budget/investment constraints (17%)
Data/security/legal/compliance (17%)

In addition, 47% of respondents reported they haven’t established clear AI productivity measurements yet, while others rely on mixed quantitative and qualitative approaches.

When looking at healthcare costs as a component of HR service delivery:

86% of respondents said their organizations are using high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) with health spending accounts (HSAs).
62% have increased employee cost-sharing.
59% reported covering glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) drugs for weight loss with specific eligibility criteria, while others limit coverage to diabetes treatment or are still evaluating broader coverage.
57% have implemented step therapy or prior authorization protocols for specialty drugs.

When looking at external pressures shaping 2026 planning, CHROs most frequently cited:

Geopolitical instability (46%)
Inflation-driven economic uncertainty (42%)
Legal/regulatory uncertainty (39%)
Impact of additional tariffs (35%)

Starbucks Unveils Incentive Program for Hourly Workers

Starbucks has introduced an incentive rewards program aimed at giving hourly employees, referred to as “partners,” more opportunities to share in the coffee chain’s financial success.

Building on its “Back to Starbucks” transformation, the program is targeted at baristas and shift supervisors. Eligible employees can earn up to $1,200 annually, distributed as quarterly bonuses of up to $300, if their store meets key targets tied to sales growth, operational efficiency and customer experience.

In addition to bonuses, the program expands overall earning potential through enhancements like increased access to tips and other compensation improvements. These changes are intended to build on Starbucks’ existing pay and benefits offerings. Collectively, the updates could increase eligible employees’ total earnings by an estimated 5% to 8% on average.

Starbucks plans to begin rolling out the incentive rewards program and other tip and pay enhancements across coffeehouses starting in July.

Remote Work Is Most Preferred Ideal Work Style

Thirty percent of U.S. workers say nothing would convince them to return to the office (RTO) full time, according to a 2026 Remote Work Report by career website FlexJobs.

Based on a survey of more than 4,000 U.S. workers, the report highlights a growing preference for flexible work arrangements.

When asked about their ideal work style, the respondents preferred:

Remote only, completely working from home (58%)
Hybrid, with time split between remote and in-office work (38%)
In the office full-time, not working remotely at all (4%)

When asked what might persuade them to return to the office full-time, workers pointed to:

Four-day workweek (30%)
15% raise (18%)
Unlimited paid time off (12%)
Travel reimbursement (3%)
Childcare reimbursement (3%)
Student loan assist (2%)
Free lunch (2%)

Most of the survey respondents also reported that remote work either improves or maintains their productivity levels:

53% said they’re more productive working remotely than in the office.
31% are equally productive at home and in the office.
12% are somewhat more productive when working remotely.
4% are somewhat or much less productive when working remotely.

“Even though we’ve seen RTO efforts and some high-profile remote work rollbacks, most workers say they haven’t been brought back into the office full time,” said Toni Frana, a career expert manager at FlexJobs. “While it’s certainly not the case for everyone, it’s a clear signal that employers are aligning with workers’ persistent preference for job flexibility, as remote and hybrid work continue to remain a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent.”

Burnout, Lack of Development Hindering Gen Z Engagement

Sixty-three percent of Generation Z workers see their current job as a stepping stone, not a long-term career, according to a Gen Z Workplace Expectations Report by career website Zety.

Based on a national survey of 1,001 Gen Z workers in the U.S., the report also found 37% of the respondents don’t feel their employer understands and supports their unique needs.

“If organizations want to keep early career talent engaged, they’ll need to demonstrate a clearer investment in development, communication and long-term opportunity,” said Zety career expert Jasmine Escalera. “Otherwise, turnover will remain a built-in feature of the Gen Z workforce experience.”

Gen Z burnout is another retention challenge. Statistics reveal the feeling is widespread, with 71% reporting they experience burnout on the job.

The top contributors to burnout include:

Overworked (76%)
Poor management (47%)
Lack of recognition (41%)
Unclear expectations (36%)
Job insecurity (21%)

The biggest workplace issues that would cause Gen Z workers to resign include:

Overall toxic culture (64%)
Poor work-life balance (63%)
Lack of pay raises (57%)
No career growth opportunities (47%)
Lack of diversity or inclusion (27%)
Lack of alignment with company’s values/politics (22%)
Being forced to return to the office full-time (15%)

Meanwhile, the perks Gen Z workers value the most include:

Work-from-anywhere or remote work-abroad programs (48%)
Four-day workweek (46%)
Mental health resources or allotted mental health days (41%)
Unlimited paid time off (32%)
Student loan assistance (23%)
Professional development budget (22%)
Pet-friendly office or pet insurance (10%)

Figures and Facts of the Week

78,557: The number of tech employees who have been laid off worldwide since January 2026, according to data analyzed by international payments services provider RationalFX. Roughly 76.7% of the global total occurred in U.S.-based companies.
93: The percentage of surveyed U.S. workers who said they would start using GLP-1 drugs if their employer covered them within their healthcare benefits, according to a survey by 9amHealth.
55: The percentage of U.S. workers who said returning to a past employer is a smart career move, according to a Boomerang Jobs Report by career website MyPerfectResume. However, 5% of workers viewed returning to a past employer as a sign of failure.
35: The percentage of American workers who believe AI will increase their job security in the next three years, according to a Global Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey by management consultant firm PwC.
35: The percentage of U.S. workers who said they rarely or only occasionally review AI-generated output before using it, according to an AI Oversight Gap Report by career website Resume Now.
20: The percentage of global employees who are engaged with their work, according to a 2026 State of the Global Workplace report by analytics and advisory firm Gallup. This is its lowest level since 2020, costing the world economy an estimated $10 trillion in lost productivity.