Staffmark Group's 2026
Heart of Work Study
Workers Choose People Over AI at Hiring's Most Critical Moments
Staffmark Group's 2026
Heart of Work Study
By the Numbers
71/100
Heart of
Work Index
100 = an all-human experience
3,746
Workers surveyed nationwide
8
Major industries represented
4
Workforce hiring personas
By the Numbers
71/100
Heart of
Work Index
0 = an all-digital hiring experience
100 = an all-human experience
3,746
Workers surveyed nationwide
8
Major industries represented
4
Workforce hiring
personas
People Over Platforms
Our first annual Heart of Work Index scored 71 out of 100, where 0 represents an all-digital hiring experience and 100 represents an all-human experience. Talent’s preferred hiring experience leans decisively toward human interaction over AI/automated tools.
People Over Platforms
Our first annual Heart of Work Index scored 71 out of 100, where 0 represents an all-digital hiring experience and 100 represents an all-human experience. Talent’s preferred hiring experience leans decisively toward human interaction over AI/automated tools.
Where Tech Helps,
Where People Matter Most
The widest gap is post-apply, pre-interview, where seven in ten workers want a person, not a bot.
Where Tech Helps,
Where People Matter Most
The widest gap is post-apply, pre-interview, where seven in ten workers want a person, not a bot.
Talent falls into four personas, along how digitally led and how human-led their hiring journey is
Persona Index on a scale of zero to 100, where zero represents an all-digital hiring experience and 100 represents an all-human one.
Talent falls into four personas, along how digitally led and how human-led their hiring journey is
Persona Index on a scale of zero to 100, where zero represents an all-digital hiring experience and 100 represents an all-human one.
AI: Low Anxiety, Mixed Views on Fairness
Job Impact
Fairness Perception
makes hiring fairer
AI: Low Anxiety, Mixed Views on Fairness
Job Impact
Fairness Perception
makes hiring fairer
"Speed and technology absolutely have their place, especially at the very top of the hiring funnel. But our research confirms what we've built our entire business around: the moment the stakes get real, an interview, an offer, a first day, people want a person in their corner, not a chatbot."
– Stacey Lane, CEO, Staffmark Group
"Speed and technology absolutely have their place, especially at the very top of the hiring funnel. But our research confirms what we've built our entire business around: the moment the stakes get real, an interview, an offer, a first day, people want a person in their corner, not a chatbot."
– Stacey Lane, CEO, Staffmark Group
Bottom Line
Across nearly every measure, Index score, persona mix, and stage-by-stage preference, talent tells the same story: people, not platforms, drive the hiring experience workers want most. Technology’s strongest role is at the top of the funnel; human relationships carry the weight everywhere after that.
About the Study
The 2026 Heart of Work Survey was conducted on behalf of Staffmark Group by national market data services firm Attest in July 2026. The survey was administered online to 3,746 workers across eight industries, including full-time, part-time, and temporary or contract workers ages eighteen and older, representing a national sample.
Bottom Line
Across nearly every measure, Index score, persona mix, and stage-by-stage preference, talent tells the same story: people, not platforms, drive the hiring experience workers want most. Technology’s strongest role is at the top of the funnel; human relationships carry the weight everywhere after that.
About the Study
The 2026 Heart of Work Survey was conducted on behalf of Staffmark Group by national market data services firm Attest in July 2026. The survey was administered online to 3,746 workers across eight industries, including full-time, part-time, and temporary or contract workers ages eighteen and older, representing a national sample.
Ready to build a workforce strategy that works?
Staffmark combines agentic AI with experienced recruiters to deliver faster hiring, stronger retention, and measurable performance… without losing the human touch.
Ready to build a workforce strategy that works?
Staffmark combines agentic AI with experienced recruiters to deliver faster hiring, stronger retention, and measurable performance… without losing the human touch.
