Despite expectations of a recession in 2023 and news of layoffs, 76% of chief human resource officers expect hiring to stay steady or ramp up over the next six months, according to the Conference Board CHRO Confidence Index for the first quarter of 2023.

Overall, The Conference Board CHRO Confidence Index for the first quarter stands at 57. (Readings above 50 points reflect more positive than negative responses.) This marks the first quarterly measure of CHRO confidence from The Conference Board. A total of 172 chief human resource officers participated in the index’s survey, which took place from Jan. 16 to Feb. 10.

Other findings in The Conference Board’s report:

• 19% of CHROs expect retention to decrease in the next 6 months.
• 45% expect employee retention to increase, and 36% expect no change.
• 45% of CHROs report that employee engagement has increased in the last 6 months.
• 14% report a decrease.