Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo, London: Day 3 Highlights

We are bringing you news and highlights from the Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo concluding today in London, U.K. Below is a collection of the key announcements and insights coming out of the conference. Here’s a summary of happenings from Day 1 and Day 2.

On Day 3 from the conference, we are highlighting HR technology funding pressures, employee-leader productivity perceptions, and how to combat candidate fraud.  

• Gartner Says AI Revolution and Cost Pressures Are Two Forces Driving the Top Four Trends for Talent Acquisition in 2026
• Gartner Research Finds Only 8% of HR Leaders Believe Their Managers Have the Skills to Effectively Use AI 
• Gartner HR Research Finds Less Than Half of Employees Achieved the Change Goals Set by Their Organization

Presented by Harsh Kundulli, Vice President, Analyst, Gartner 

The biggest challenge CHROs face when advancing HR technology purchases is building an effective business case for investment. In this session Harsh Kundulli, Vice President, Analyst, Gartner, discussed three proven strategies that CHROs must follow to secure HR technology funding in today’s uncertain environment.

• “Building an effective business case is the No. 1 challenge for CHROs in advancing HR technology purchases.”
• “Typical benchmarks and metrics point to potential value, but they do not make the business case to secure funding.”
• “A truly persuasive HR tech business case appeals to stakeholders’ hands, head, and heart: a solid roadmap, financial proof, and a story that resonates.”
• “Do not try to quantify benefits for every single HR tech investment. Different technologies call for different approaches.”
• “To build a strong business case, HR leaders need to demonstrate:
  • Planning and analysis: CHROs must show they’ve built their case on a strong strategic roadmap, with tangible business outcomes and a clear technology options analysis.
  • Practicality and dollar impact: Present a financial model that quantifies benefits only where applicable and shows the financial returns based on the type of HR technology investment.
  • Emotional connection: Create urgency by crafting a compelling value story that connects tech investment to business value and highlights the risks of alternatives."

Journalists can receive additional information and/or request an interview with the Gartner expert by contacting Gerri Weinberger at gerri.weinberger@gartner.com. 

Presented by Swagatam Basu, Senior Director, Gartner 

While employees report feeling 11% more productive than last year, only 10% of managers agree that their full teams are meeting productivity expectations. In this session, Swagatam Basu, Senior Director, Gartner, explored the causes of differing productivity perceptions, the impact it has on organizational outcomes, and how CHROs can leverage HR's unique position to effectively bridge this divide.

• “On average, employees reported they were 11% more productive over the last 12 months, yet only one-in-10 managers feel their teams meet productivity expectations.”
• “When productivity perceptions are not aligned, real productivity – the combination of employee efficiency and employee value creation – decreases by 39%.”
• “Four things are driving the gap in productivity perceptions:
  • Weak connection between productivity strategy and work
  • Overreaction to short-term productivity dips
  • Productivity decisions overlook some employee voices
  • Productivity is addressed only reactively”
• “HR can address each of these factors by doing the following:
  • Facilitate local ownership of productivity goals
  • Equip managers to navigate productivity variability
  • Empower all employee voices to shape productivity solutions
  • Normalize routine productivity conversations”

Journalists can receive additional information and/or request an interview with the Gartner expert by contacting Gerri Weinberger at gerri.weinberger@gartner.com. 

Presented by Hiten Sheth, Director Analyst, Gartner

Candidate fraud is on the rise and AI-driven deception and lack of built-in fraud detection tools make fraud harder to spot, leaving organizations vulnerable. In this session, Hiten Sheth, Director Analyst, Gartner, provided a practical framework to prevent candidate fraud and protect hiring integrity and business continuity. 

• “Gartner predicts by 2028, one in four candidate profiles worldwide will be fake and contain material identity misrepresentation.”
• “To combat candidate fraud, most organizations are turning to video interviews (81%) and in-person interviews (74%), which may help catch fraud, but won’t prevent it.”
• “To proactively prevent candidate fraud, organizations should follow the 3D framework:
  • Deter: Signal integrity early by mentioning things like background checks and using fraud deterrent phrasing
  • Detect: Strengthen early recruiter screenings and deploy next-gen tools such as interview AI agents, identify verification, and antifraud controls
  • Defend: Build a system that learns and responds and make cybersecurity a part of HR culture”
• “Applying fraud mitigation tools and tactics does not deter candidates from applying to jobs; 62% of candidates said they are more likely to apply to a job when the interview is conducted in person and only 16% said they are less likely to apply if the assessments are monitored.”
• “To protect their organizations from candidate fraud, CHROs should:
  • Map where fraud risks concentrate
  • Audit tools you already own
  • Collaborate with IT and security” 

Journalists can receive additional information and/or request an interview with the Gartner expert by contacting Gerri Weinberger at gerri.weinberger@gartner.com.