Key Challenges Remain – With Greater Focus on Resilience
The core challenges facing organisations in 2026 remain consistent with those identified in recent years, but they have become more defined and structural in nature. Employers continue to report difficulties in recruiting for key roles, with skills shortages, rising employment costs, and retention challenges remaining at the forefront.
While demand for talent remains strong across many sectors, organisations are now operating with a more measured and strategic approach to hiring. Rather than broad expansion, there is a clear focus on critical roles, productivity, and long-term workforce planning.
We continue to see organisational restructuring and realignment across sectors, as companies adapt to cost pressures, technological change, and shifting market demands. These changes are not always visible externally but are playing a significant role in shaping hiring activity and workforce composition.
At the same time, ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty and global instability are contributing to a more cautious hiring environment, with organisations prioritising resilience, efficiency, and sustainability in their workforce strategies.
Evolving Hiring Strategies – Skills, Technology, and Adaptability
Skills-based hiring has now become firmly embedded across many organisations, with employers placing greater emphasis on capability, adaptability, and real-world experience over traditional qualifications alone. This shift is being accelerated by the continued integration of AI, automation, and digital tools across the workplace.
While demand for technical and digital skills remains strong, there is an equally important focus on human-centric capabilities, including problem-solving, communication, leadership, and relationship management. The ability to combine technical expertise with these softer skills is increasingly what differentiates top talent.
Learning and development is no longer optional—it is a core component of talent strategy. Employees continue to prioritise career progression and skills development, and organisations that fail to invest in these areas risk losing talent to competitors. In 2026, the focus has shifted toward structured development pathways, internal mobility, and continuous upskilling.
The Evolution of Hybrid Working
Hybrid working remains a central feature of the Irish workplace, but in 2026 it has become more structured and intentional. While flexibility continues to be highly valued by employees, many organisations have established clearer expectations around in-office collaboration, team engagement, and performance.
This has helped to reduce some of the friction seen in previous years, although balancing business needs with employee expectations remains an ongoing challenge. Employers are increasingly focused on creating workplace models that support productivity, culture, and long-term engagement, rather than relying on one-size-fits-all approaches.
While we are operating in a more employer-led market, it is important to recognise that talent still has choice. Organisations that maintain flexibility, invest in their people, and clearly communicate their values will continue to have a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining talent.
Looking Ahead
As you review this Salary Guide, we encourage you to think beyond compensation. Recruitment in 2026 is not just about filling roles – it is about building resilient, skilled, and adaptable teams that can navigate an increasingly complex and fast-changing environment.
At Osborne, we remain committed to Recruitment Excellence and #ChangingLives through placing the Right Person with the Right Job, No Compromise, ensuring that businesses thrive and candidates reach their full potential.
This 2026 Salary Guide is designed to provide employers and candidates alike with relevant, practical market insights to support informed hiring and career decisions in the year ahead. We hope this guide continues to be an essential resource for you and your organisation, and we look forward to partnering with you throughout 2026 and beyond.
