What Employees Want from Work in 2026

Welcome to O.C. Tanner's Culture by Design podcast, where we discuss the research, practices, and strategies that help employees thrive at work.  

This episode, we're talking with Christina Chau, Senior Content Manager at O.C. Tanner, about what employees really want from their workplaces in 2026.  

We unpack Christina’s process for gathering industry research and insights to determine the top five workplace culture trends for the coming year, find out what surprised her, and answer some burning questions from HR leaders and practitioners like you.  

Stick around for the end of the episode where we’ll talk about the ideas and actions you can take with you and implement at your own workplace.  

A research analyst with nearly 20 years’ experience, Christina uncovers employee perceptions and writes about the trends, insights, and best practices that create workplace cultures where people thrive. She uses her background in conducting and publishing primary research to tap into what the data says and why it matters to modern leaders.

Takeaways:

1. Human connection is so important – there is great tech out there that can enrich both connection and appreciation at work, but don’t let it replace genuine, authentic, human moments. Use AI responsibly in your culture initiatives.

2. Employees are asking for a lot from their workplaces now – they want inspiration from their teams, leaders, and employers; they want time to connect and time to recognize each other. Make sure to prioritize and encourage these experiences in 2026.

3. Go read or watch Christina’s 5 Workplace Culture Trends for 2026 content for more insights and actionable takeaways to implement at your organization this year.

The Culture by Design podcast is created by O.C. Tanner, the global leader in software and services that improve workplace culture through meaningful employee recognition.  

Si vous voulez que votre organisation devienne un lieu où les gens ont hâte de venir travailler le matin, rendez-vous sur octanner.com.