The usual ways people move up at work are slowing down. Workday's Global Workforce Report, released on October 5, found that moves to new roles inside the same company fell at 57 percent of employers over the past year and promotion rates stayed essentially flat. At the same time, demand for hands-on AI skills in job postings rose 51 percent between September 2025 and July 2026.
Key takeaways
- Internal moves fell at 57 percent of employers; promotions were flat.
- 40 percent of leaders expect AI to get more out of current staff; 28 percent expect it to cut headcount.
- Demand for basic AI skills such as simple prompting peaked in January 2026 and then fell 25 percent.
- 79 percent of workers know which skills they need, but only 66 percent say their employer helps them build them.
- The median number of applicants per filled job rose to 69, from 58 a year earlier.
What did the report find?
Workday combined data from companies using its HR software with surveys of about 6,000 employees and leaders. Most leaders do not expect AI to shrink their workforce. They expect it to change existing jobs. "Employees may not be changing jobs, but their jobs are changing around them," said Phil Willburn, a Workday vice president.
The skills employers want are moving fast. Simple AI use is no longer enough. Postings now ask more for people who can build AI tools, automate workflows and work in AI engineering. Mentions of management and leadership skills fell 7 percent, and training skills fell 13 percent.
Why is it harder to move up?
Employees who tried to move internally most often pointed to paused hiring for the role, managers who did not support the move and selection processes that did not feel fair. About half did not try at all, and 27 percent of those said they saw no attractive opportunity inside their company.
Who is affected?
Mid-career employees hoping for a promotion or a sideways move face the slowest path. Job seekers applying from outside face more competition, especially in tech and media, where applicants per filled job rose 40 percent, and financial services, up 27 percent. Time to fill a role held at about 60 days.
What should workers do now?
- Ask your manager directly what skills the next role needs, and get it in writing in your development plan.
- Build practical AI skills tied to your job, such as automating a routine task, rather than general prompting.
- Keep a record of results so you can make the case internally or externally.
- See our guides to top digital skills to learn and moving up at work.
What does it mean for staying put?
Voluntary turnover is about 16 percent a year, and about 70 percent of employees are still with the same company two years later. But Workday found those planning to stay are less likely to recommend their employer. If you are staying mainly because the market feels risky, use the time to build skills that make your next move easier.
Source: Workday, Global Workforce Report press release, 5 October 2026.
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