The 2025 midyear HR checkup: Layoffs, DEI pivots and a ‘tricky’ AI future

A large-scale divestment from people initiatives has left HR teams in an uncomfortable spot, one expert told HR Dive.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 25, 2025

Half of workers say they got a job through a connection

Tapping relationships for a job was considered more helpful than using job boards, social media, recruiters and staffing firms, a report found.

By Carolyn Crist • Aug. 25, 2025

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from HR Dive: Talent

HR Dive Talent’s top stories feature a number of evolving trends, including shifting cultural norms and emerging hiring challenges.

By HR Dive staff

CFO turnover spikes after record CEO exits last year

Starbucks is among the public companies that have named a new CFO this year following a CEO departure.

By Alexei Alexis • Aug. 22, 2025

AI hiring tools push tech workers to reconsider the industry, new data shows

Nearly 1 in 3 IT professionals said they might leave the industry altogether as AI screening tools muddy the hiring process, a Dice survey found.

By Roberto Torres • Aug. 22, 2025

Few HR pros can detect fake job candidate information, survey shows

Meanwhile, nearly three-quarters said they’ve already encountered fake or misleading candidate details during the hiring process, Equifax found.

By Carolyn Crist • Aug. 22, 2025

1 in 3 companies say AI will run their hiring process by 2026

But more than half of companies surveyed by Resume.org expressed concerns about AI screening out qualified candidates or introducing bias.

By Carolyn Crist • Aug. 22, 2025

This week in 5 numbers: Which human skills are critical for AI success

Here’s a roundup of numbers from the last week of HR news — including what share of workers would rather be managed by artificial intelligence than a person.

By Ginger Christ • Aug. 21, 2025

Employers face operational risks as executive talent gap widens, report shows

To fight it, employers are recalibrating their approach to executive compensation and benefits strategies, consulting firm NFP said.

By Carolyn Crist • Aug. 21, 2025

Immigration policy changes squeeze an already understaffed long-term care industry

The senior care industry can’t afford to lose potential workers, experts said.

By Ginger Christ • Aug. 20, 2025

Only 1 in 4 front-line workers think senior leaders understand their work

Companies can “bridge the gap between leadership and front-line staff, fostering stronger communication, trust and alignment,” ZipRecruiter says.

By Carolyn Crist • Aug. 20, 2025

US companies collaborate to grow skilled trades workforce

The Business Roundtable sees opportunities to solve the labor gap on a large scale.

By Benton Graham • Aug. 19, 2025

38% of workers would rather have an AI manager than a person, survey shows

Half of C-suite executives also said they’d prefer AI managers over humans, even though a third aren’t sure they can tell the difference between AI and a real person.

By Carolyn Crist • Aug. 19, 2025

‘Benevolent leadership’ enhances organizational learning, study finds

Researchers found that this approach can create the kind of workplace environment that encourages knowledge-sharing.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 19, 2025

13 human skills gaps could threaten AI adoption, learning scientists say

Cognitive, communication and self-management skills can help workers effectively implement AI in the workplace, Multiverse says.

By Carolyn Crist • Aug. 19, 2025

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.

By Carolyn Crist • Aug. 18, 2025

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.

By Robyn W. Madden • Aug. 18, 2025

Are EORs legal? 3 questions HR must ask

EORs are legal, compliant, and your shortcut to global hiring minus the paperwork.

By William Smith • Aug. 18, 2025

Invisible pressure, visible gaps: How HR leaders can reclaim trust and resilience

Burnout is rising. Trust is fading. Here’s what today’s workforce actually needs from employers.

Aug. 18, 2025

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.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 15, 2025

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.

By Lauren Schenkman • Aug. 15, 2025

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.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 15, 2025

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.

By Carolyn Crist • Aug. 15, 2025

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.

By Ginger Christ • Aug. 14, 2025

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.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 14, 2025

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.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 14, 2025