Make your staffing strategy target growth. Learn how workforce planning 2026 and strategic workforce planning with Spherion can prepare your business for success.
As we get closer to 2026, you’re probably thinking about what comes next for your business. Planning for the new year might feel uncertain right now—with the economy shifting and the labor market still unpredictable—but that’s exactly why workforce planning matters. Strategic workforce planning gives your business a clear path forward, even when the future feels hazy.
Strategic workforce planning bridges this uncertainty by connecting business goals with realistic staffing plans, ensuring that your team structure supports growth and profitability. By taking a thoughtful approach to workforce planning 2026, you’ll be able to anticipate what roles will be needed, when they’ll be needed, and how to fill them efficiently.
Why workforce planning is tied to business success
Your people are at the heart of your business. That’s why workforce planning is so important: It helps you align your team with where your company is headed. When you plan ahead, you know what to expect in terms of what roles will be needed and when, so you’re poised to hire quickly and effectively.
Heading into 2026, businesses are facing new challenges. Labor markets are slow while unemployment remains high. The required employee skills are evolving fast, while job seeker expectations around flexibility and growth are pushing employers into unfamiliar territory. Strategic workforce planning helps you adapt to those changes instead of scrambling to react to them. By taking a thoughtful approach now, you’ll have the right people in place to meet demand, support customers, and drive results.
What to know about 2025–26 labor market trends
Looking ahead, the labor market continues to evolve, and understanding those changes is key to staying competitive. Labor market trends 2026 point to ongoing challenges around skilled labor shortages, a shifting workforce demographic, and changing employee expectations around flexibility and development.
Another key trend shaping workforce planning 2026 is the continued evolution of remote and hybrid work. Some industries have settled into stable hybrid models, while others are seeing a gradual return to on-site operations. Understanding which approach aligns with your business culture—and how it affects recruitment—will be a defining factor in attracting and retaining top talent.
Skilled labor remains in high demand, particularly in manufacturing, logistics, and technical trades. Employers who need these workers must plan further ahead, as qualified candidates are often hired quickly. Spherion’s staffing agency solutions provide access to a robust network of skilled professionals, helping you stay competitive even in tight talent markets.
Turning business goals into staffing strategies
The first step in workforce planning 2026 is looking at your big-picture business goals. Are you launching a new product, adding a location, or entering a new market? Each of those goals has staffing implications: new roles, different skill sets, or larger teams.
Take a look at your current workforce and compare it to where you want to be in 12 to 18 months. Are there any potential skill gaps and future role requirements you know you’ll need to account for, especially in areas where technology or automation may reshape responsibilities? Then, factor in timing. Some roles may require a longer recruitment cycle, while others can be filled quickly through a staffing agency solution. This level of insight allows you to build a more efficient and proactive hiring schedule.
If this task seems daunting, you can reach out to a staffing agency like Spherion for help, with local teams that excel at this type of workforce forecasting. They understand regional hiring patterns, seasonal labor needs, and the unique nuances of your industry. That expertise allows them to help you match your growth goals with practical hiring timelines and staffing options that fit your budget.
Budgeting for workforce expansion
A strong business plan depends on a strong financial plan, and workforce expansion is one of the largest investments a company makes. Planning for it early helps you make smarter financial decisions. Workforce planning 2026 should include a realistic hiring budget that factors in wages, benefits, onboarding, and training.
It’s also worth thinking about the balance between full-time and temporary staff. As wage inflation continues into 2026, many businesses are exploring ways to stay agile without overspending. Strategic workforce planning can help you find that balance, using a mix of permanent, temporary, and temp-to-hire employees to cover your needs without stretching your payroll too thin.
Staffing agencies like Spherion can help you model these costs and identify the most effective staffing mix for your goals. Our team has up-to-date data on compensation trends and labor costs, and we can help you plan ahead for seasonal shifts or market fluctuations. When you have a staffing partner who understands your business, managing headcount becomes a lot less stressful.
Scaling strategically with staffing agency support
Scaling your team is easier when you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you’re ramping up for peak season or planning a long-term expansion, staffing agency solutions give you the flexibility to grow at the right pace.
Spherion’s workforce forecasting tools and local recruiting expertise help you plan for the ebbs and flows of your business. Need to scale up quickly? We can connect you with qualified candidates fast. Need to adjust your staffing levels during slower months? We’ll help you do that without disrupting productivity.
We also help you decide when to use temporary, temp-to-hire, or direct hire options. Each approach has advantages depending on your goals, and our recruiters can guide you through which model makes the most sense for each role. This flexibility allows your business to stay efficient and responsive without the growing pains that often come with rapid change.
The right tools and resources for long-term strategic workforce planning
Modern workforce planning depends on data, not guesswork. As part of your staff planning strategies, you should be tracking key metrics like turnover rates, time-to-fill, and cost-per-hire to help you refine your strategy further and identify potential bottlenecks. Or try introducing some workforce analytics tools to reveal trends in employee movement, uncover training opportunities, and predict future staffing needs.
Creating a 12-month rolling staffing forecast ensures that your hiring plans remain current even as business conditions evolve. Contingency planning is equally important; having a strategy for sudden shifts in demand or unexpected vacancies allows your company to remain stable and responsive.
To aid in workforce planning, Spherion offers templates, planning resources, and labor market data to support your long-term workforce planning. Our recruiters combine this data with on-the-ground insights, helping you understand what’s happening in your specific market—not just national trends. That blend of technology and human experience gives you a clearer picture of what’s coming and how to prepare for it.
How to get started on your 2026 workforce plan
A strong workforce plan is not a one-time project but an ongoing process. To prepare for 2026, begin by setting a quarterly workforce planning review schedule. Regular check-ins allow you to evaluate hiring progress, assess skill gaps, and adjust your strategy as business needs change. Different departments like finance, operations, and human resources should also be working together to align staffing decisions with budget forecasts and production goals.
If you haven’t already, now is a great time to bring in a staffing partner. Spherion can help you identify skill gaps, project hiring costs, and design a plan that fits both your immediate and long-term needs. Our team will also help you build flexibility into your plan so you’re prepared for whatever 2026 brings.
The power of proactive planning
Businesses that take workforce planning seriously gain a real competitive edge. Instead of reacting to sudden shortages or market changes, you’ll already have a plan in place. You’ll understand your hiring needs, know where to find the right candidates, and have a clear budget for growth.
Spherion helps make all of that possible. Our local teams bring together national resources, market intelligence, and personal service to help your business succeed. With Spherion as your staffing partner, you’ll have the confidence and flexibility to navigate whatever the labor market throws your way.
The year ahead will bring new challenges, but also new opportunities to grow your team and strengthen your business. Let’s make sure you’re ready. Connect with your local Spherion office today and start building your workforce plan for 2026.