The Job Market Looks Strong… So Why Does It Feel So Weak?

Welcome to the Workplace Minute, brought to you by H3 HR Advisors. Your quick-hit version of the HR Happy Hour Podcast, where Steve Boese shares the latest in Human Resources, HR tech, workplace trends, and more—all in just a few minutes. Tune in and stay on top of what’s shaping the workplace today!

In this episode Steve unpacks the newest JOLTS report and explain what HR and business leaders need to understand about job openings, hiring trends, quit rates, and layoffs. More importantly, we explore why worker confidence has dropped so significantly and what that signals about the true state of the labor market.

Finally, we look ahead to the rest of 2026, outlining three potential scenarios for where the job market could be headed and what leaders should be watching closely.

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BONUS: Download the H3 HR Advisors 2026 Workplace Trends Report HERE

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