Wednesday 21 October
12 briefs · US Eastern time
- China·Policy & Law
China's provident fund renovation-withdrawal policy sees over 20 cities act within first month
One month after China's revised housing provident fund policy, which added home renovation as a valid withdrawal reason, took effect, more than 20 cities nationwide have issued supporting implementation rules or taken related action. Specific city-by-city details were not provided in the report.
- China·Policy & Law
China's new provident fund policy expands withdrawal scope to include property fees
China's revised Housing Provident Fund Management Regulations took effect on September 20, 2026, expanding the scope of fund withdrawals beyond home purchase and construction to include property management fees, home renovation, and rental expenses. The report cites a worker who withdrew RMB 8,500 to pay a property fee bill, noting multiple localities have issued implementation details.
- United States·News
Electronic Arts to lay off 400 employees
According to a Business Journals daily digest, video game company Electronic Arts announced plans to lay off 400 employees. The digest also noted OpenAI's acquisition of a San Francisco biotech startup, unrelated to HR.
- United States·Research
Connecticut job openings jump 10.9% to 96,223 in September
Connecticut job openings rose by 9,985 positions (10.9%) to 96,223 in September, spanning all industry sectors. Employers added 1,400 payroll jobs and the labor force grew by 3,500 people, but unemployment held at 5.1%, tied for the nation's highest, with the labor force still down 50,800 from a year earlier.
- United States·People
Automattic begins layoffs amid board upheaval and executive exits
Automattic, parent of WordPress.com, Tumblr and WooCommerce, has begun layoffs over the past week affecting its communications, social, WordPress.com and VIP enterprise teams, with insiders warning more cuts may follow. The move comes after a failed September board attempt to oust CEO Matt Mullenweg, which triggered a full board turnover and departures of the CFO, interim CFO and chief legal officer.
- Europe·Policy & Law
UK unfair dismissal qualifying period to shorten to six months from January 2027
The qualifying period for unfair dismissal claims in the UK will be reduced from two years to six months, with the provisions expected to take effect in January 2027. Employers are advised to ensure dismissals have a fair reason and follow a reasonable, well-documented process ahead of the change.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Italy's labor ministry adds two new simulators to supplementary pension portal
Italy's Ministry of Labour and Social Policies announced two new online simulators on its supplementary pension portal, developed with Mefop. One helps workers assess how allocating severance pay (TFR) affects pension prospects; the other helps companies estimate compensatory measures for lost liquidity when employees join a pension fund. Results are informational only, not official certifications.
- Canada & Latin America·News
Mexico's HR leaders tackle AI disruptions, labor reforms
HR leaders in Mexico discussed the impact of AI disruptions on the workplace and ongoing labor reform issues, focusing on how AI is reshaping talent management and employment policy.
- Canada & Latin America·News
TC Transcontinental closing Owen Sound plant, affecting 360 employees
Canadian packaging company TC Transcontinental is closing its plant in Owen Sound, Ontario, affecting 360 employees. The report did not provide further details on the closure timeline or severance arrangements.
- Europe·Research
UK pay awards rise to 3.1% but remain subdued, data shows
Analysis by Brightmine of 42 pay settlements covering more than 650,000 UK employees shows the median basic pay award rose to 3.1% in the three months to September, up from 3% in the prior two quarters. Seven in 10 settlements matched (36.8%) or fell below (34.2%) last year's award, while just 28.9% were higher. UK CPI rose to 3.5% in September from 3.1% in August.
- Europe·Policy & Law
UK tribunal awards security guard over £7,000 after employer mishandled resignation
A Liverpool employment tribunal ruled that security firm GES unfairly dismissed guard Craig Freedman by later relying on a resignation it had initially rejected, instead of following a fair dismissal procedure. Freedman, employed since December 2020, was awarded £7,236 in total, covering basic compensation, compensatory damages, notice pay and outstanding holiday pay.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Dominican Republic Labor Ministry sanctions 101 Chinese-invested stores for labor violations
The Dominican Republic's Labor Ministry sanctioned 101 stores owned by Chinese investors for labor violations, according to a report on local TV program El Nuevo Diario AM. Specific details of the violations or penalty amounts were not disclosed.