Work Week Episode 41: Which Hiring Reports Can Inform Strategic Workforce Planning in 2026? | Upwork

Which hiring reports can help you build a comprehensive, data-driven work strategy in 2026? In this episode of Work Week, Dr. Gabby Burlacu of The Upwork Research Institute breaks down the key labor market data sources that leaders and professionals alike should be paying attention to — and why relying on only one report isn’t enough. The episode explores what traditional reports like the BLS Jobs Report, the JOLTS, and the ADP National Employment Report can tell you — and what they miss. Also learn about a crucial but often overlooked piece of the labor market puzzle: freelancers, who represent 28% of skilled knowledge workers. Whether you're designing your team structure or future-proofing your skill set, this episode offers a practical cheat sheet for making data-informed decisions in 2026. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Find and hire top freelance talent fast on Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/i/how-it-works/client/?utm_medium=OrganicSocial&utm_source=YouTube&utm_campaign=ORSOCL_YT_INFD_ALLMKTS_BRAND_AWR_INTEREST_All_EVGR24_ClientYouTubeDescription Interested in freelancing on Upwork? Get started: https://www.upwork.com/i/how-it-works/freelancer/?utm_medium=OrganicSocial&utm_source=YouTube&utm_campaign=ORSOCL_YT_INFD_ALLMKTS_BRAND_AWR_INTEREST_All_EVGR24_FreelanceYouTubeDescription Visit our resource center for more tips and tricks: https://www.upwork.com/resources?utm_medium=OrganicSocial&utm_source=YouTube&utm_campaign=ORSOCL_YT_INFD_ALLMKTS_BRAND_AWR_INTEREST_All_EVGR24_ResourceYouTubeDescription -------------------------------------------------------------------- 🔔 Subscribe to be notified about new videos ➔ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxGFOnwUBDHHcxuPqhe4CQhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxGFOnwUBDHHcxuPqhe4CQ?sub_confirmation=1 Follow #Upwork on social and join the conversation: ☞ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/upwork/ ☞ X: https://www.twitter.com/upwork ☞ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upwork ☞ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upwork ☞ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@upwork ☞ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@upwork