Recruitment has fundamentally changed. AI regulation is tightening, recruitment costs continue to climb, and candidate experience has become a commercial issue rather than simply an HR concern.
Most HR leaders know these pressures exist. The question is whether their hiring process is ready for them.
This hiring health check is designed to help you assess where your organisation stands today and identify the areas that need attention before they become business risks.
The Three Forces Changing Hiring
Compliance & AI Regulation
AI is becoming part of everyday recruitment, but regulation is catching up quickly.
With the EU AI Act's high-risk provisions coming into force in December 2027 and increasing scrutiny from the UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO), organisations using AI to screen or shortlist candidates need to ensure their hiring processes are transparent, auditable and compliant. Meanwhile, changes introduced through the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 have strengthened expectations around automated decision-making in recruitment.
Ask yourself
- Are all AI recruitment tools covered by an Article 28 DPA?
- Could you explain every hiring decision if challenged?
- Is human oversight built into your process?
Hiring Efficiency & Cost
While recruitment budgets remain under pressure, the hidden cost of hiring continues to rise.
Boards are demanding greater efficiency, applications are increasing, and recruiters are spending more time screening candidates than ever before. Many organisations still focus on agency fees or job board costs, without understanding their true cost per hire or where inefficiencies exist within the recruitment process.
Ask yourself
- Do you know your fully loaded cost per hire?
- How dependent are you on agencies?
- What's driving your time-to-hire?
Candidate Experience & Employer Brand
Candidate experience is no longer just an HR metric, it's a business metric.
Applicants increasingly expect timely communication, transparent processes and respectful treatment throughout recruitment.
When these expectations aren't met, the impact extends beyond employer reputation. Rejected candidates often become vocal advocates or critic of your brand, particularly in consumer-facing industries.
Ask yourself
- Does every applicant receive a response?
- How long does feedback take?
- Could poor hiring experiences be affecting your brand?
What Good Looks Like
Organisations performing well across all three areas typically share a number of common characteristics:
- AI tools are compliant and documented
- Hiring decisions are explainable
- Human oversight exists
- Cost per hire is measured
- Time-to-hire is under control
- Every candidate receives timely communication
Key Takeaways
The biggest hiring risks in 2026 aren't just about finding talent. They're about staying compliant, controlling costs, and protecting your employer brand at the same time.
If you'd like to discuss your results, get in touch with the Via team for a no-obligation review of your hiring process.
Ready to Improve Your Hiring?
Whether you're looking to reduce agency spend, speed up hiring, or ensure your recruitment process is AI-ready, Via can help.
We'll review your current hiring process, identify areas for improvement, and show you how smarter sourcing and shortlisting can deliver better hiring outcomes.
Book a free job slot today.
