Staffing agency pays $185K to settle EEOC claims it fired workers for pregnancy

Eastridge Workforce Solutions told HR Dive it denied the charges and said the company had admitted no wrongdoing.

Updated Jan. 15, 2026

In the age of AI, REI is turning to its human employees to win

The retailer’s “green vest” associates serve as a key differentiator both in stores and online, according to CEO Mary Beth Laughton.

Feds caution employers about bonuses, pay structures in overtime compliance

The U.S. Department of Labor also addressed exemptions for “learned professionals” and commission-earning employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Employers plan to hire ‘aggressively’ in 2026 — but only for certain roles

More than half of hiring managers also said that layoffs are on the table, particularly in early 2026 as companies rebalance their talent stacks.

What does a learning leader look like in 2026?

A report from the Association for Talent Development paints a portrait of today's L&D professional — but the role also may be ripe for evolution.

New DOL independent contractor rule arrives at Trump White House

The administration may decide to return to the “economic reality” standard it articulated in a final rule released at the tail end of the president’s first term in office.

EEOC wins retaliation case for Black dental assistant in Louisiana

A CEO’s statements were direct evidence the dental assistant was placed on unpaid leave and fired because she complained about race discrimination, a federal district court held.

December jobs report wraps up a year of uncertainty

“The next phase of the job market will be defined less by headline growth and more by where work is truly needed,” one leader said.

Salary increases are top of mind for workers amid economic anxiety

Most employees said they planned to stay at their jobs in 2026, but burnout and layoffs have workers concerned, according to a Monster report.

DOL back-wage recovery hit 5-year high in 2025, despite closing fewer cases

The Wage and Hour Division released an analysis of its 2025 data, also drawing attention to two updated video series on the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.

This week in 5 numbers: Lonely workers say they miss more work

Here’s a roundup of numbers from the last week of HR news — including the number of companies who cite a lack of relevant experience among candidates as a major barrier to hiring.

Minimum wage increases hit 19 states in 2026

A number of states crossed the $15 per hour threshold long used as a rallying cry among worker advocates.

Recruiters are increasing their AI usage as pressure to hire intensifies

More than 9 in 10 recruiters said they planned to step up their use of AI tools, according to a new LinkedIn report.

GameStop floats CEO pay entirely tied to performance

Ryan Cohen would have to reach sky-high goals to receive the lucrative compensation, a setup resembling Elon Musk’s at Tesla.

Workers use time saved by AI to improve their roles, Indeed finds

Studies repeatedly identify employer encouragement and training as key to AI transformation.

Former EEOC officials condemn agency’s move to drop anti-harassment guidance

The group said EEOC’s request to the White House “is yet another salvo in this Administration’s prolonged attack on LGBTQI+ people.”

Texas Education Agency sued over probes into teachers’ Charlie Kirk posts

Commissioner Mike Morath urged superintendents in September to report teachers critical of Kirk on social media, Texas’ statewide teachers union said.

‘Reverse discrimination’ was an enduring 2025 workplace trend

An ex-Google employee, a Walmart manager, a Paramount exec: Majority-group discrimination claims were an increasingly buzzy HR topic last year.

5 trends that will shape HR in 2026

Artificial intelligence stands to occupy a substantial portion of the industry’s attention, but people leaders also will need to dedicate energy toward development and culture.

2026 hiring outlook improves, but skills and AI are primary hurdles

Half of respondents to an Express Employment Professionals and Harris Poll survey said that applicants’ lack of relevant experience made hiring challenging.

DOL clarifies FMLA’s stance on travel time, school closure in opinion letters

While the Family and Medical Leave Act protects time spent traveling to appointments, it does not encompass stops for other unrelated activities, the labor department noted.

Fraud attacks expected to ramp up in AI ‘perfect storm’

By 2028, 1 in 4 job candidate profiles worldwide will be fake, according to a Gartner prediction.

What will employee learning look like in 2026?

One expert said learning will become a “business imperative" this year.

In sharp reversal, workers say they value stability over perks

“Employees aren’t asking, ‘Do I feel valued today?’ They’re asking, ‘Do I believe this company will succeed and will I succeed with it?’” a Perceptyx leader said.

More than half of US workers say they’re lonely, disrupting productivity

Managers play a key role in curbing loneliness among their team members, Cigna said.