The HR Research Institute has launched the 2026 State of Frontline and Volume Hiring Advisory Board, a panel of recruitment and talent experts that will guide an upcoming research study and virtual event. This initiative addresses the critical need for strategic insights as organizations across multiple industries face persistent challenges in hiring large numbers of frontline workers.
The advisory board will focus on several key areas to shape both the research and the free online event scheduled for March 19, 2026. These include evaluating the effectiveness of large-scale recruitment strategies, addressing current challenges in frontline hiring, and leveraging technology, automation, and AI to boost hiring efficiency. The panel will also explore ways to enhance frontline employee engagement and retention, identify metrics for measuring high-volume hiring success, and plan for the future evolution of volume recruitment.
"We're excited to bring together leading experts to address these unique hiring challenges," said Debbie McGrath, CEO of HR.com. "Their insights will equip HR professionals with strategies to meet today's urgent workforce needs and plan for the talent demands of the future." The board includes thought leaders such as Clair Bush of AMP Strategies, Daniel Goyeneche of Affiliated Monitoring, Orlando Haynes of The Mosaic Company, Martin Mathe of Narau, and Rhonda Merchant of Invited.
This initiative builds on the HR Research Institute's ongoing work, including its previous report, HR.com's State of Seasonal, Hourly and Volume Hiring 2025. The institute, which serves over 2 million HR professionals, publishes hundreds of reports across various HR topics. The upcoming virtual event will offer free access to expert sessions, providing strategies and solutions for professionals managing large workforces.
For HR vendors, this development signals continued market demand for solutions addressing frontline hiring pain points. The research findings aim to help organizations make more informed strategic decisions in a competitive labor market where frontline roles in retail, hospitality, manufacturing, and customer service are often difficult to fill and retain. The advisory board's focus on technology, automation, and AI suggests growing opportunities for vendors offering innovative recruitment tools. The emphasis on engagement and retention metrics indicates that comprehensive workforce management solutions will remain essential as organizations seek to optimize their frontline talent strategies.
