Remote work expectations and global economic instability are reshaping hiring and screening practices across the workforce, according to HireRight’s newly released 2025 Global Benchmark Report.
Drawing insights from more than 1,000 HR, risk, and talent acquisition professionals worldwide, the report outlines the current state of background screening, talent acquisition, and workforce management across North America, EMEA, and APAC regions.
One of the report’s key findings: only 30% of respondents believed turbulent economic conditions would have no impact on their hiring plans. The majority expect recent global policy changes—including new U.S. tariffs—to dampen hiring confidence further, potentially reducing profitability and increasing caution in onboarding new employees.
Hiring Freeze Hits APAC Hardest
While hiring levels dipped slightly in North America and EMEA, the decline in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region was far steeper—dropping to half of last year’s levels. Interestingly, the hesitation to hire is shared across both small-to-medium businesses and large enterprises, suggesting market instability is a common denominator regardless of company size.
Remote Work Still a Dealbreaker
Despite a tighter job market, remote work remains a non-negotiable for many candidates. In 2024, nearly 30% of North American employers cited candidate dropouts due to the absence of remote work options. In EMEA and APAC, that figure was even more pronounced. EMEA, in particular, saw this concern double from last year—indicating a growing disconnect between job seeker expectations and employer flexibility.
Companies that continue to scale back hybrid or remote offerings may be narrowing their access to top-tier talent, the report suggests.
Screening Still Critical Despite Slowed Hiring
“With economic forecasts for 2025 in flux, our report shows how hiring strategies may pivot depending on market direction,” said Ann Losiewski, EVP, Americas at HireRight. “Even amid cautious recruitment, rigorous pre-employment screening remains essential. One wrong hire—whether a contractor or employee—can introduce significant risk and cost.”
HireRight’s 18th annual benchmarking report underscores the tension companies face: balancing lean hiring strategies with robust screening practices, all while competing for talent that increasingly prioritizes flexibility.
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Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure. Public relations, investor relations, public policy and marketing professionals rely on Business Wire for secure and accurate distribution of market-moving news and multimedia. Founded in 1961, Business Wire is a trusted source for news organizations, journalists, investment professionals and regulatory authorities, delivering news directly into editorial systems and leading online news sources via its multi-patented NX network. Business Wire’s global newsrooms are available to meet the needs of communications professionals and news media worldwide.
