What is ‘people operations’?

The term has become more popular in recent years as a way to reflect the changing but necessary role HR plays in companies, experts said.

Compensation budgets to remain above historical trends in 2025, employers say

The majority of employers said they felt confident in their budget projections, according to the report. 

‘Unsustainable’ cost increases push employers to rethink healthcare benefits

“The seemingly never-ending rise in costs poses a constant challenge for employers to take action,” an expert said. 

Soft skills are more critical than ever for post-AI professionals

Adaptability, leadership and curiosity will set employees apart, writes Mary Alice Vuicic, chief people officer at Thomson Reuters.

7 tips for effective, internal workplace investigations

Well-executed investigations can protect the entity involved as well as the individuals affected by its results, writes Joycelyn Stevenson, a shareholder at Littler Mendelson.

How to encourage tech adoption across generations

Boomers and Generation Z face different challenges adopting workplace tools, but collaborative training can bridge the gap.

Wearables at work can break the law if employers aren’t careful, EEOC warns

A newly released fact sheet by the commission explains how employers may approach and use wearable technology, like smart watches, in the workplace.

Amazon workers on strike amid the holiday rush

Thursday’s action at various Teamsters locals comes days after the release of a Senate report critical of working conditions at the e-retailer’s warehouses.

When HR uses engagement data, productivity and retention increase, McLean says

But “engagement action planning is not just about addressing employee feedback,” one McLean & Co. leader said.

DOL: Managers cannot take pooled tips — even if they also perform tipped work

However, managers may keep tips based on services that they directly and solely provide, U.S. Department of Labor Administrator Jessica Looman wrote in an opinion letter.

Final rule to overhaul H-1B visa eligibility requirements takes effect Jan. 17

Employers should be prepared for potential disruption caused by the rule, attorneys for law firm Fragomen wrote this week.

Updated Jan. 2, 2025

This week in 5 numbers: Workers are detached and feeling stuck

Here’s a roundup of numbers from the last week of HR news — including more degree-free jobs being offered in California.

Employers with strong employee value proposition innovate better, McLean says

Having a strong EVP can boost results in an increasingly competitive labor landscape, the firm said in a new report.

Idaho education board bans DEI across state’s 4-year colleges

Some of the affected colleges had already moved to wind down their diversity, equity and inclusion centers ahead of the unanimous vote.

USDA Forest Service, IWSI America to launch national apprenticeship program

The new forestry technician apprenticeship initiative is intended to address workforce gaps and create career paths for diverse communities.

3 in 5 companies plan to award holiday bonuses this year

Employees, however, say they would prefer a shorter workweek or fully covered health insurance over a holiday cash boost, a recent report found.

Biden names Gwynne Wilcox NLRB chair

President-elect Donald Trump likely will designate his own chair of the board when he takes office in January.

SCOTUS sends NLRB ‘successor bar’ rule case back for post-Chevron analysis

The high court said an appeals court would need to consider what effect the reversal of federal agency deference standards had on a Puerto Rico hospital’s labor dispute.

How the corporate DEI rollbacks unfolded in 2024

This year was a whirlwind as John Deere, Harley-Davidson, Walmart and other major companies announced shifts in their DEI policies.

Global hiring plans hold steady for first quarter of 2025

The U.S. continues to show strong hiring intentions, particularly in the IT sector.

California nixes degree requirements for 30K state jobs

The move is part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s broader push to create better career pathways for residents, including those who don’t have college diplomas.

Trump says he intends to fire federal workers who don’t return to the office

The statement sets up the potential for a legal battle involving the administration, federal workers’ unions and workers with disabilities.

Starbucks expands parental leave up to 18 weeks

Improving its benefits and reputation as an employer are key to the brand’s long-term turnaround, CEO Brian Niccol said.

3 in 4 employers aren’t prepared for pay transparency laws

By the end of 2026, at least 14 U.S. states, four Canadian provinces and all European Union countries will have pay transparency laws in place.

7 top learning stories from 2024

The impact of artificial intelligence was one of the bigger storylines for L&D professionals, but it was far from the only one.