DOL once again set to tackle joint employer, independent contractor regulations

Details on the status of specific rules were unavailable at press time, however, as a White House website appeared to be taken offline.

Arkansas firefighter may have been illegally fired for anti-abortion post, 8th Circuit holds

The post did not disrupt fire department operations, and a jury will have to decide if the firefighter was fired because the mayor didn’t like his viewpoint, the court said.

1 in 6 workers pretend to use AI amid workplace pressures, survey finds

HR teams can help workers build artificial intelligence fluency and skills and create tailored career pathways, Deloitte AI leaders say.

What HR needs to know about managing licensed professionals

State licensing board actions present a unique dimension to HR’s responsibilities, writes Robyn W. Madden, attorney at Turner Padget.

ManpowerGroup ransomware attack leaked customer data, staffing firm says

Hackers reportedly stole files including Social Security cards, passports, hours worked and worksite information, among other documents.

Employer to pay $40K for alleged harassment of neurodivergent cashier

The manager and staff at a gas station convenience store in Alabama repeatedly bullied a cashier because of his atypical neuroprocessing, anxiety and vision disorder, EEOC said.

Walmart expands 10% grocery discount for its workers

The retailer said the extension of its holiday food discount to year-round stemmed from employee feedback for simpler and more accessible perks.

Most HR leaders conducted ‘serial layoffs’ within the past year, per survey

The trend is one tending towards “reactive workforce management,” rather than long-term planning, Careerminds said.

Half of workers have experienced a quarter-life career crisis, survey shows

Employers can offer more accessible support systems that address both professional development and personal well-being, FlexJobs says.

Major companies reframing, not abandoning, DEI: report

More than half of S&P 100 companies adjusted their diversity, equity and inclusion messaging in major filings in 2025, according to The Conference Board.

This week in 5 numbers: Employees use banned AI tools to speed up their work

Here’s a roundup of numbers from the last week of HR news — including the percentage of CEOs who expect to reduce the size of their workforce in the next 12 months.

EEOC doubles down on religious rights in 2 accommodation decisions

Religious bias and employers’ failure to provide religious accommodations have been focal points for President Donald Trump’s administration.

Why CFOs must stop treating compensation as a cost

Today’s economic uncertainty presents an opportunity for CFOs to get ahead of competitors struggling with the whiplash of boom-and-bust pay tactics, Payscale’s Philip Watson writes.

Employers let workers trade in PTO for cash, student loan payments

Employers have a “balancing act” of providing flexibility but also making sure employees are actually taking time off, an expert at Goldman Sachs Ayco told HR Dive.

More CEOs expect to reduce their workforce during next 12 months, survey shows

For the first time since 2020, the proportion of CEOs who plan to shrink their workforce exceeded the share looking to expand.

Online job interview simulator could help workers after incarceration, study finds

Researchers said the findings could lead to more interest in virtual training to help people after prison release.

Massachusetts awards skilled trades grants, approves private apprenticeship program

The grants are meant to bolster training for high-demand occupations within sectors like construction and manufacturing, the governor’s office said.

Recession fears driving 83% of hiring managers to take cost-saving moves

But layoffs, unfilled vacancies and other proactive measures are taking away from companies’ focus on their long-term futures, an Express Employment Professionals-Harris Poll survey found.

School district asks court to reel in EEOC charge it called a ‘fishing expedition’

The lawsuit alleged that then-Commissioner Andrea Lucas issued an “overly broad and vague” discrimination charge that exceeded the agency’s authority.

AI may have negative implications for Black workers, advocate says

Beyond environmental justice issues, AI deregulation doesn’t bode well for the future of bias-free hiring, one Color of Change leader told HR Dive.

Nearly half of workers say they’ve used banned AI tools at work, survey finds

“Employees are willing to trade compliance for convenience. That should be a wake-up call,” the founder and CEO of Anagram said.

DOL to provide $30M in training grants on AI, skilled trades

The department will award grants of up to $8 million to state workforce agencies to create training funds that encourage employers to both develop and expand programs.

6th Circuit breaks from EEOC on employer liability for client harassment

A manufacturer wasn’t liable for a client harassing an employee because it didn’t intend for the harassment to occur, the court held.

Ikea settles 5 lawsuits alleging age bias

In a collective action, one plaintiff alleged Ikea’s preference for younger employees is openly expressed at the highest level.

Half of Gen Z workers want ‘growth mindset’ jobs in AI era

Since the beginning of 2025, Flexa has seen a 240% increase in the number of job searches for roles offering learning and development benefits.