GreatWork Blog

Building better workplaces through compliance, culture, connection

The calendar is turning, and with the end of the year in sight, organizational strategy shifts into high gear. Building a robust 2026 plan requires more than just rolling forward this year’s budget; it demands forward-looking, data-driven intelligence.

To help you build a resilient and informed blueprint for the year ahead, we’ve highlighted three crucial surveys for strategic planning. Think of this as your 2026 planning toolkit, with data that is local, current, and actionable.

Cascade has partnered with the Employer Associations of American (EAA) to conduct the 2025-2026 National Business Trends Survey. This survey compiles data on national, regional, and local business trends, covering issues such as staffing levels, hiring practices, cost-cutting measures, and business outlooks. This year includes topical questions on recent business concerns, such as tariffs and AI technology impacts.

Do you find yourself thinking, “I wonder what other organizations are doing about this issue?”  I’m guessing the answer is, yes.  Workplace challenges and issues are evolving rapidly and it’s important that you keep up with the current state of things and plan for what’s ahead. That's why Cascade is launching our Spring Workplace Trends Survey – and we need your input so you can see how other organizations are responding to the increasingly challenging and complex workplace!

The workplace is evolving at a rapid pace, leaving many organizations wondering what lies ahead. Are you curious about the challenges your peers are facing? Eager to learn how others are navigating changes in their industries and workplace? Our Workplace Trends Survey is here to help.

The 2025 National Business Trends Survey is now available. This national survey is run each year by Cascade in partnership with the Employer Associations of America (EAA), collecting executives’ feedback and thoughts on the current and upcoming business year and trends. This year’s survey had 1,024 participating organizations from all 50 states.

Cascade is partnering with the Employer Associations of American (EAA) to conduct the 2024-2025 National Business Trends Survey. This survey compiles data on national, regional, and local business trends, covering issues such as staffing levels, hiring practices, cost cutting measures, and business outlooks. This year includes topical questions on recent business concerns, such as hybrid work policies and AI technology impacts.  

Shape the future of work by participating in Cascade’s second quarterly HR Trends Survey of 2024. This vital survey gathers insights on critical workplace issues impacting the workplace.

We need you! Cascade’s fourth quarterly HR Trends Survey of 2023 is now open for participation. This survey collects data on key workplace issues related to compliance, recruitment and retention, compensation, DEI and leadership, which we track and report on throughout the year. In our latest edition, we are also asking the challenges of Paid Leave Oregon (PLO).

Cascade is partnering with the Employer Associations of American (EAA) to conduct the 2023-2024 National Business Trends Survey. This survey complies data on national, regional, and local business trends, covering issues such as staffing levels, hiring practices, cost cutting measures, and business outlooks. This year includes topical questions on recent business concerns, such as hybrid work policies and AI technology impacts.

We need you! Cascade’s quarterly HR Trends Survey of 2023 is now open for participation. This survey collects data on key workplace issues related to compliance, recruitment and retention, compensation, DEI and leadership, which we track and report on throughout the year. In our latest edition, we are also asking about how organizations are offering coaching as an employee benefit and women in leadership training.

Cascade’s Q1 HR Trends Survey was conducted in January and ended with 106 participants.  A big thank you to all organizations that participated!

This survey was the third in our now quarterly series, collecting data on key workplace issues related to compliance, recruitment and retention, compensation, DEI and leadership. Cascade uses this data to make sure our members have the resources they need to address how these trends may impact their workplace.

We need you! Cascade’s first quarterly HR Trends Survey of 2023 is now open for participation. This two-minute survey collects data on key workplace issues related to compliance, recruitment and retention, compensation, DEI and leadership, which we track and report on throughout the year. In our latest edition, we also ask about how organizations are covering remote workers’ monthly electronic communications expenses and individual/group coaching plans for 2023.

You did it again!  Thank you to everyone for continuing to participate in Cascade’s quarterly HR Trends survey.  This survey was the second in our now quarterly series, collecting data on key workplace issues related to compliance, recruitment and retention, compensation, DEI and leadership. Cascade uses this data to make sure our members have the resources they need to address how these trends may impact the workplace.

We need you! Cascade’s latest quarterly HR Trends Survey is now open for participation. This survey collects data on key workplace issues related to compliance, recruitment and retention, compensation, DEI and leadership, which we track and report on throughout the year. In our latest edition, we are also asking about how organizations are dealing with COVID-19 policy adjustments and pay for remote workers.

“Do you know what other employers are doing to help out employees with inflation?” This is a question our consulting team gets asked quite often and rather than speculating, we asked YOU. Cascade recently conducted its Quarterly HR Trends Survey in which we asked participants what they’re doing about inflation for their employees. The results? Here are a few highlights.

Cascade’s most recent HR Trends Survey asked for feedback on remote and hybrid work plans and how organizations are addressing these plans with return to work. We're sharing highlights from the results. You can check out the PDF report here and visit our website for other reports.

As businesses continue to transition to the new workplace, organizations have to balance their need for employees in the workplace with employees’ preferences for remote and hybrid work. This month’s survey gathers basic information on remote and hybrid work plans that organizations are currently implementing.