🧐 Preventing Q1 Resignations, Make L&D Irreplaceable, HR Falls Short - Jan 21, 2026

Hi, Culture Champions! 🌱 Q1 is when inboxes fill… and resignation letters sneak in. Before talent walks, let’s spot the signals, spark stay-power, and keep 2026 retention-strong (with fewer exit surprises).

On today’s agenda:

🧐 HR’s Q1 retention guide

💡 Making L&D irreplaceable 

⚠️ Volatile workplace future

🧑‍💼 HR falls short in support

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

🧐 Retain Talent Now: How HR Can Prevent Q1 Resignations

Q1 may look calm on paper—but behind the scenes, employees are quietly reassessing roles, growth, and whether this is their year to move on. Here’s how HR can act before “thinking” turns into “two weeks’ notice.”

👀 The Scene: The Silent Q1 Flight Risk

January doesn’t always bring mass quits—but it does spark job searching and disengagement. Nearly 38% of U.S. workers say they plan to start a job search early in the year, long before resignations hit official reports.

At the same time, quits remain steady at roughly 3 million per month, signaling a workforce that’s cautious—but still open to leaving if the right offer appears. Translation: Q1 is your early-warning window.

🛠️ HR’s Action Plan: Retention Moves

• Talk before they walk: Regular check-ins before performance reviews uncover issues early — Gallup found 42% of voluntary exits could’ve been prevented if managers had proactive career conversations.
  

• Make growth real: Internal mobility and clear pathways signal security and opportunity. Only ~1/3 of companies invest enough in internal career data.
  

• Double down on culture: A strong culture tied to daily experience boosts retention and makes staying feel intentional.
  

• Highlight stability + benefits: Emphasize job security, financial wellness, and tailored benefits that meet real needs. 

HR truth: You don’t prevent resignations in exit interviews—you prevent them in Q1 conversations.

💡 Irreplaceable L&D: Protect Your Role, Defend Your Budget, Prove ROI

Turn budget reviews from a source of stress into an opportunity to excel.

Join this webinar to learn a proven framework for connecting L&D performance to business outcomes, including revenue, retention, and efficiency. Present your impact in terms that leadership approves and secure your funding with confidence.

🧑‍💼 Employees Unsupported by HR — Yahoo Finance

• What’s unfolding: Research shows 79% of employees seek HR help monthly, but only 6% get instant support.

• Why it matters: HR teams need faster, more accessible support channels to build trust and engagement, or risk employees feeling unsupported and disengaged.

• What’s unfolding: The U.S. work environment is shifting to a high-pressure, output-first culture, with perks and wellness programs taking a backseat.

• Why it matters: HR leaders should monitor morale and turnover closely, ensuring communication, development, and support programs offset the harsher work environment.

• What’s unfolding: Equiniti has been recognized as a 2026 Top Employer in the U.S. for outstanding HR practices and employee experience.

• Why it matters: This recognition shows the tangible value of strategic HR initiatives, inspiring other HR teams to strengthen culture, retention, and employee engagement.

COMPLIANCE CORNER

• What’s unfolding:  Texas AG flags DEI hiring and training programs as potential legal risks.

• HR implications: HR should review DEI policies, ensure they’re job‑related and race‑neutral, and consult legal counsel to reduce liability.

• What’s unfolding: Infosys denies viral claims of a U.S. immigration action against an employee.

• HR implications: HR must communicate clear visa policies and counter misinformation to maintain trust and protect employer brand.

• What’s unfolding: California labor officials report a rise in AI-generated “hallucinations” appearing in formal filings. Increased AI access is creating accuracy and credibility issues.

• HR implications: HR teams need clear AI-use rules and human review steps for legal or employee documentation to avoid compliance trouble.

BREAKROOM

📬 Missed Monday’s issue ‘MLK-Inspired Equity’? Read it »