Today · Monday 26 October
129 briefs · US Eastern time
- United States·Research
US seasonal job postings up about 10% YoY in 2026 as e-commerce demand rises
According to Indeed Hiring Lab, seasonal job postings in the US were up about 10% year over year as of September 30, 2026, seen as an early sign of labor market optimism. Retail's share of seasonal postings fell to 61% from roughly two-thirds in 2019, while warehouse roles rose from 3.5% to 9%. Amazon announced plans to hire 300,000 workers this holiday season.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Thailand officially postpones Employee Welfare Fund contributions to 1 January 2027
On 22 October 2026, Thailand's Royal Gazette published a Royal Decree officially postponing the start of employee savings and employer contributions to the Employee Welfare Fund to 1 January 2027.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Chile to require employers' first gender equity report in March 2027
Under Chile's Law No. 21,828, companies in Chile will be required to submit their first gender equity report in March 2027. The obligation establishes a new employer reporting requirement on gender equity.
- Canada & Latin America·Research
Report: Global mobility could help close Canada's innovation, productivity gap
An OECD June 2026 review found Canada's productivity growth has fallen to one of the lowest levels among developed nations, while the WIPO Global Innovation Index ranking slipped from 8th in 2011 to 17th in 2025. Vanessa Ribreau, Chief People Officer at Safe Software, argues global mobility of talent can help close this gap.
- China·Policy & Law
Shanghai's local sick leave pay calculation rules expired on Aug 15, 2026
Effective August 15, 2026, the local regulations governing sick leave pay calculations in Shanghai have expired. This affects how employers in Shanghai calculate sick leave pay going forward.
- Europe·Policy & Law
UK government publishes consultation responses on Employment Rights Act dismissal rules
The UK government has published responses to consultations on dismissal and re-engagement (fire and rehire) practices and on extending dismissal protection for pregnant employees, part of implementing the Employment Rights Act reform plan. Related reforms also address zero-hours contracts and shift pattern changes.
- United States·Policy & Law
Colorado business groups urge delay on AI hiring disclosure rules
Colorado business groups are asking Attorney General Phil Weiser to delay enforcement of the state's AI decision-making tools law and to tighten definitions of 'data sources,' a tool's 'material influence,' and 'meaningful human review' before finalizing rules. The AG's office is finalizing disclosure and appeal-rights requirements for AI use in job, credit, or housing decisions, having heard public testimony on the latest draft this week.
- Asia-Pacific·M&A
Red Alpha Singapore and nuKudo merge to launch tech workforce provider Aleph
Red Alpha Singapore and nuKudo announced their unification under a new brand, Aleph, a global technology workforce solutions provider. The launch includes an expanded enterprise solutions portfolio, international growth plans, and a redesigned global website aimed at helping organizations build technical capabilities and individuals access emerging-tech careers.
- United States·Research
Report: Rising costs and repetitive tasks push HR to rethink its role
According to a new report, AI is now part of daily operations for most benefits leaders, yet 47% still spend four or more hours daily on routine tasks. isolved's Amy Mosher says employers can rethink benefits and use AI to free up HR teams for strategic work, warning that cutting benefit options to manage rising costs risks damaging recruitment and retention.
- United States·Policy & Law
San Francisco mayor signs ordinance revising health care spending rules for airport employers
On October 16, 2026, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie signed Ordinance No. 213-26, amending the city's Healthy Airport Ordinance to revise health care spending requirements for certain airport employers.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Canada updates Express Entry rules for high-wage occupations
Law firm Pryor Cashman published an advisory noting changes to Canada's Express Entry immigration system affecting high-wage occupations, urging applicants to review and update their Express Entry profiles.
- Global·Research
Report examines legal, practical considerations of AI use in the workplace
A legal analysis notes that artificial intelligence has rapidly moved from a theoretical consideration to a practical workplace reality for employers, citing US Census Bureau and UK government surveys as well as California SB 947 and Colorado SB26-189 legislation as reference points.
- Europe·Policy & Law
UK tribunal awards £14,830 to Black youth worker over race harassment
A Reading Employment Tribunal ruled that West Berkshire District Council failed to take seriously the complaints of Black youth worker Louise Williams-St Louis after she was called a 'slave' by a young person in her care, and colleagues compared it to being called 'fat' or 'old'. The tribunal found this amounted to race harassment and awarded her £14,830.
- United States·Policy & Law
White House clears proposed PERM green card overhaul to boost protections for US workers
The White House has cleared a proposed overhaul of the PERM employment-based green card program, weeks after PERM suspensions hit major companies including Microsoft. The Labor Department says current rules date to 2004 and rely on outdated newspaper ads. Reforms would focus on recruiting Americans, protecting laid-off workers, non-discriminatory hiring and employer recordkeeping, and will go out for public comment.
- United States·Policy & Law
US completes federal review, moves to tighten PERM green card sponsorship rules
The US government is moving to revise employment-based green card sponsorship requirements after completing a federal review of proposed changes to the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program. Separately, the Netherlands will introduce new rules for employers sponsoring foreign workers starting Nov. 1.
- United States·Policy & Law
AI notetaker transcripts emerge as key evidence in employment discrimination lawsuit
A recent employment discrimination lawsuit highlighted how AI notetaker transcripts from video meetings can become key evidence for plaintiffs' attorneys. Law firm Fisher Phillips outlined lessons for employers on managing legal risks tied to AI meeting-recording tools.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Canada issues 792 ITAs in Express Entry provincial nominee draw
Canada's IRCC held an Express Entry draw on Oct. 26 for Provincial Nominee Program candidates, issuing 792 invitations to apply for permanent residence with a CRS cut-off score of 761. Candidates needed profiles created before April 3, 2026.
- United States·Policy & Law
New wave of restrictive covenant litigation focuses on function over form
Law firm Proskauer notes a new trend in restrictive covenant litigation: clauses not labeled as noncompetes, such as certain confidentiality provisions, can still be treated by courts as restrictive covenants if they function to limit employee mobility or competition.
- United States·Policy & Law
ERISA requires employers to use employee share of insurer rebates by Dec. 30
Under ERISA, employers that received a medical loss ratio (MLR) rebate from insurers must distribute or apply the employee share within roughly three months of receipt; those receiving rebates on September 30 face a deadline around December 30. A KFF analysis estimates insurers issued about $759 million in MLR rebates in 2026, down from $1.6 billion in 2025 and $958 million in 2024.
- United States·Policy & Law
Michigan unemployment system closes Nov. 2, employers must activate new accounts first
Michigan's Unemployment Insurance Agency will permanently shut down its legacy MiWAM system at 4:30 p.m. on November 2, with the replacement MiUI system's benefits functions going live on November 9; both systems will be unavailable in between. Employers must retrieve an eight-digit activation code from MiWAM before the deadline to set up a MiUI account, a step third-party administrators cannot complete for them. About 23,165 Michigan employers, roughly 10 percent, had not yet done so.
- Europe·Policy & Law
UK right-to-work scheme expands from 1 October to cover contractors and agency workers
From 1 October 2026, the UK's right-to-work scheme expanded beyond direct employees to cover workers engaged under a worker's contract, individual subcontractors, or via online matching services, and introduces extended liability for businesses relying on other employers to supply workers. Employing someone without the right to work can result in a civil penalty of up to £60,000 per worker and possible criminal sanctions. The Home Office has issued guidance on the expanded rules.
- United States·Policy & Law
US gag clause attestation due Dec. 31, outsourcing doesn't shift employer liability
Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA-21), group health plans must file an annual Gag Clause Prohibition Compliance Attestation (GCPCA) with CMS by December 31, applying to fully insured and self-insured plans of any size except those offering only excepted benefits. The article notes that even when self-insured sponsors delegate filing to a third-party administrator, legal liability remains with the employer.
- United States·Policy & Law
Macy's drops ERISA suit but voluntary benefits broker commission risk remains
A proposed class action, Munson v. Macy's Inc., filed October 3, 2026 in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, was voluntarily dismissed without prejudice shortly after filing. It alleged that of $36.1 million in supplemental insurance premiums paid by Macy's employees from 2019-2024, about $13.2 million (36.7%) went to broker commissions and fees, potentially breaching ERISA fiduciary duty. These remain unproven allegations, but the underlying legal theory is spreading to other employers.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Colombian unions reject government's eight draft decrees altering labor reform
Colombian unions CUT and CGT, along with pensioner confederations under CNU, issued a statement on October 20 rejecting eight draft decrees proposed by the Labor Ministry, warning they could weaken labor inspection, harassment protections, and rights tied to the 2025 labor reform—including rules on outsourcing, collective pacts, and inspection conditions for domestic workers and journalists. The unions demand continued tripartite dialogue.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Dutch government plan to scrap staff discount tax break aims to save €123m a year
The Dutch government plans to save €123 million a year by scrapping the tax-free staff discount scheme, which currently lets employees buy employer products at up to 20% off, capped at €500 annually. If the Tax Plan 2027 passes, the exemption would end January 1, 2027. Retail association InRetail calls the proposal a 'farce', while union FNV says the discount matters for low-paid retail staff.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Mexico's 40-hour workweek reform creates digitization opportunity for SMEs
An article discusses how Mexico's gradual transition to a 40-hour workweek reform presents SMEs with an opportunity to digitize attendance, leave, and labor records to improve HR management and decision-making. Per INEGI's ENOE survey, 9.2 million subordinate workers logged more than 48 hours per week in Q2 2026.
- Canada & Latin America·News
ConocoPhillips confirms new Canadian layoffs without disclosing job-cut numbers
ConocoPhillips confirmed it will eliminate an undisclosed number of Canadian employee and contractor positions on Tuesday, without disclosing the exact job-cut numbers. This follows previous workforce reductions carried out in 2025.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Mexico's labor reform to phase in reduced work week starting 2027
Mexico has approved a labor reform reducing the standard work week, amending the Federal Labor Law and Constitution. The reduction will be phased in gradually starting in 2027, aiming to protect jobs and reduce burnout, benefiting over 64% of workers who currently work more than 41 hours weekly.
- Europe·Policy & Law
UK government to launch consultation on reforming equal pay system
The UK government is set to launch a consultation on reforming the equal pay system, under legislation dating back to 1970 aimed at removing sex-based pay disparities. The consultation acknowledges that assessing work of 'equal value' and the material factor defence are the two most complex, litigation-prone areas. Legal experts say an overhaul will not be straightforward.
- United States·Policy & Law
28 US states and DC require employers to give workers paid time off to vote
Election Day (Nov. 3) is not a federal holiday, and no federal law requires private employers to give workers time off to vote, per employment law firms Jackson Lewis and Ogletree Deakins. Whether paid voting leave is required depends on state law; 28 states plus Washington, D.C. mandate voting leave, with 21 of them requiring paid leave or barring wage deductions, some with conditions.
- Europe·Research
Italy's productivity bonus schemes now cover over 5 million workers, welfare share rises
Italy's Ministry of Labour updated monitoring data showing 18,951 active productivity bonus agreements covering 5,015,819 workers, up from 4,827,721 the prior month. Welfare measures now appear in 12,549 contracts, surpassing profitability targets (12,131), while productivity remains the top goal (15,609 contracts). For 2026-2027, Law 199/2025 sets a 1% substitute tax on bonuses up to €5,000.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Argentina's statutory workweek to drop to 46 hours in 2027
Argentine media report that the statutory workweek will be reduced to 46 hours starting in 2027, raising questions about whether employers can cut pay in proportion to fewer hours worked. The report does not specify the underlying law or implementation details.
- Canada & Latin America·News
ConocoPhillips plans job cuts in Canada for second straight year
ConocoPhillips reportedly plans fresh job cuts in Canada, with employees bracing for notifications on Tuesday. This would mark the second consecutive year the company has cut jobs in Canada.
- United States·News
Brigham and Women's nurses reject contract proposal after postponing strike
Nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital, who had previously postponed a strike, rejected a new contract proposal from the hospital. The report did not specify whether a strike would be rescheduled.
- United States·Research
NFP executive: Employee use of mental health benefits rises as employer investment falls 7% in 2025
According to NFP's latest trend report, cited by SVP Deb Smolensky, employee use of mental health benefits is rising even as employer investment in such benefits fell approximately 7% in 2025. Smolensky says the real gap is accessibility: employees often cannot quickly locate or use Employee Assistance Programs already offered to them.
- Canada & Latin America·Research
IBM study: 37% of Canadian firms exclude CHROs from AI strategy planning
An IBM Institute for Business Value study released Oct. 2, 2026 found 37% of Canadian organizations exclude the CHRO from AI strategy planning. Only 39% of Canadian CHROs reported a joint roadmap with IT, and 72% struggle to coordinate across the C-suite. The Canadian sample included 75 HR executives and 452 employees. Globally, 76% of employees felt safe challenging AI outputs when HR shared responsibility for human-led decisions, versus 43% where HR was only advisory.
- Europe·Policy & Law
EU Pay Transparency Directive emerges as an M&A due diligence issue
According to Freshfields, pay transparency is increasingly viewed as an M&A due diligence and valuation issue rather than a standalone HR compliance matter, driven by implementation of the EU Pay Transparency Directive and expected increases in equal pay claims and reporting obligations. Unrecognized gender pay gaps can create back-pay liabilities, litigation exposure and reputational risk, with remediation often requiring substantial compensation restructuring costs.
- Europe·Policy & Law
25 Dutch trade associations urge government to keep tax-free staff discount scheme
The Dutch House of Representatives earlier voted to scrap, from January 1, 2027, the tax exemption allowing employers to give staff up to 20% discount (capped at €500/year) on company products or services, to fund energy price compensation. 25 trade associations are now urging lawmakers to retain the scheme, backed by union FNV, which says it matters for low-wage retail workers.
- United States·Policy & Law
Washington state minimum wage rises to $17.73 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2027
Starting Jan. 1, 2027, Washington state's minimum wage will rise to $17.73 per hour, up 60 cents from 2026, with an adjusted rate for 14- and 15-year-old workers. The update also covers changes to exempt employee salary thresholds and noncompete rules.
- United States·Research
M3 Insurance data shows captive health plans outperforming traditional models by about 7 points
According to internal data from M3 Insurance, cited by Director of Captives Jason Nordby, employer groups in captive benefit plans are outperforming fully insured and self-funded counterparts by approximately 7 percentage points. For a 100-person organization with $1 million in annual health spend, the compounding savings are significant and the gap is widening as the market corrects.
- Global·News
Microsoft offers voluntary buyout to about 60,000 employees across US, Canada, India and UK
Microsoft reportedly plans to offer a voluntary departure program to about 60,000 employees across parts of its US, Canada, India and UK teams, covering staff up to internal level 70, excluding some sales, engineering and corporate function teams. Employees will receive severance and career support and must decide by early December, with departures expected by year-end, as the company aims to resize its workforce and cut costs.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Brazil's CNI challenges supreme court over overtime pay for heat-recovery breaks
Brazil's National Confederation of Industry (CNI) filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Federal Court (STF) challenging a Superior Labor Court (TST) ruling requiring overtime pay for lack of heat-recovery breaks. CNI argues the ruling misapplies labor code provisions meant for other types of breaks, imposing costs not stipulated by law.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Manitoba issues 1,304 letters of advice to apply for provincial nomination
Manitoba's Provincial Nominee Program issued 1,304 Letters of Advice to Apply on Oct. 22: 734 to Manitoba graduates and spouses, 513 to top-scoring in-province candidates, and 57 to strategically recruited candidates. Applicants have 60 days to submit full nomination applications.
- United States·Policy & Law
White woman called 'Karen' fails to show race bias, judge rules
A White former high school psychologist alleged race and disability discrimination, including a co-worker calling her 'Karen,' a term she said was derogatory toward White women, as part of a broader pattern at Freeport High School. A federal judge ruled on Oct. 20, 2026, in favor of the school, finding such isolated remarks do not establish unlawful discrimination.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
Saudi HR Ministry: Five worker categories covered by Nitaqat wage hike to SR6,000
Saudi Deputy HR Minister Abdullah Abuthnain said the Nitaqat Saudization wage threshold hike covers five worker categories: full-time, part-time, flexible-arrangement employees, part-time students, and disabled workers able to work. It will roll out in two phases: SR5,000 from April 25, 2027, rising to SR6,000 from April 25, 2028, with grace periods for employers.
- United States·Policy & Law
CCIA report says ending H-1B 60-day grace period fails cost-benefit test
The Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA) released an analysis finding that DHS's proposal to eliminate the discretionary 60-day grace period for H-1B workers would cost $121 million to $762 million more per year than it saves, with a central estimate of $263 million annually and roughly $1.8 billion in ten-year net present cost. The rule was published in the Federal Register on September 11, 2026.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
Saudi Arabia extends professional verification programme to 128 countries
Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development completed the first phase of its Professional Verification service, now covering 128 countries under Cabinet Decision No. 195, screening the qualifications and experience of highly skilled foreign workers entering the Saudi labour market. The ministry plans to expand coverage to 160 countries and all professions, including engineering and health.
- United States·Policy & Law
New York court enforces FLSA settlement, orders $25,000 payment
A New York federal district court granted a motion to enforce an FLSA settlement agreement, finding Islandwide Seamless Gutter & Leader Systems, Inc. breached the deal by failing to pay a former employee $25,000. The court awarded post-judgment interest and attorneys' fees but denied a statutory penalty increase under New York law. Lopez v. Islandwide Seamless Gutter & Leader Sys., Oct. 21, 2026.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Romania's pay transparency bill still under review, KPMG advises employers to prepare
KPMG reports that Romania's forthcoming pay transparency framework will bring major changes to compensation, recruitment and access to pay information. The draft law is still being reviewed, having been referred back to reporting committees for further work, though its direction is taking shape. KPMG advises employers to start preparing.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Japan auto union group looks beyond inflation-linked pay hikes for 2027 talks
A Japanese auto industry union group said it is looking beyond inflation-linked pay increases for the 2027 spring wage negotiations. The organization is considering new approaches to compensation talks amid a changing labor market.
- United States·News
Fender says WARN notice before Corona factory closure is normal procedure, affects 533 workers
Fender issued a WARN notice to 533 employees ahead of a temporary closure of its Corona, California factory during year-end holiday inventory quiet weeks. The company said this is normal operating procedure, not layoffs—the first time Fender has used a WARN notice for a temporary factory closure. US law requires a WARN notice when more than 500 workers at one site are affected.
- United States·Policy & Law
United Airlines wins summary judgment in age, disability bias case
A Texas federal district court granted summary judgment to United Airlines on ADEA and ADA discrimination and retaliation claims brought by an age-protected flight attendant with physical injuries. The court found she could not show pretext because evidence contradicting a binding System Board of Adjustment ruling—which found the airline complied with the CBA in terminating her—was precluded. Finger v. United Airlines, Oct. 23, 2026.
- Canada & Latin America·Research
StatCan: Older workers, non-permanent residents gain larger share of Canada's retail workforce
A Statistics Canada study released Oct. 21, 2026 found youth (15-24) made up 31.7% of retail staff in 2024, down from 35.5% in 2017, while workers 65 and older rose from 3.7% to 5.5%. Non-permanent residents' share nearly quintupled since 2017. Retail employed about 2 million in 2024; youth employment fell 48,000 in September with unemployment at 13.0%.
- United States·Research
US job board visits hit record 661.2 million in September, up 10% YoY
Visits to the top 100 US job boards rose 10% YoY to a record 661.2 million in September 2026, per Similarweb, up nearly 60 million from a year earlier. August hit an annual record of 685.1 million visits, with October tracking a 10.5% gain. Indeed drew over 166 million visits; LinkedIn visits rose 9% YoY with 30% more submissions per applicant versus pre-pandemic levels, while Greenhouse reported 20% more applications and 270 applicants per posting on average.
- United States·Policy & Law
Kroger denied summary judgment in Title VII sexual harassment case
A Mississippi federal district court denied Kroger Limited Partnership I's motion for summary judgment on a female retail clerk's Title VII hostile work environment claim. The court found genuine factual disputes over whether a co-worker's escalating verbal and physical sexual harassment was severe or pervasive and whether the employer responded promptly. Boone v. Kroger Ltd. P'ship I, Oct. 21, 2026.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Spain's Supreme Court rules 15-minute break counts as paid work time for 6+ hour shifts
Spain's Supreme Court (ruling No. 691/2025, July 2, 2025) held that under Article 34.4 of the Workers' Statute, employees working more than 6 continuous hours are entitled to at least a 15-minute break, which for Cartonajes La Plana's night shift counted as paid working time per its collective agreement. The court rejected the company's appeal.
- United States·News
Oklahoma Primary Aluminum, Tulsa Innovation Labs hold workforce workshop for 1,000+ jobs
Oklahoma Primary Aluminum and Tulsa Innovation Labs hosted a three-day workforce development workshop at Tulsa Tech, bringing together education, career-tech and community leaders to map talent pipelines and form a local steering committee. The proposed aluminum facility is expected to create over 1,000 high-paying jobs.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
Saudi wage thresholds rise in 2027-28
A headline indicates Saudi minimum wage thresholds will rise during 2027-28, though no further details are provided in the excerpt.
- Global·Research
Study finds AI negotiation advice steers women toward caregiving benefits over pay
An unpeer-reviewed study posted to arXiv on Oct. 1, 2026 analyzed 86,000 queries across four LLMs (GPT, Claude, Gemini, Llama), finding all models recommended higher salary targets for men than identical women, with gaps ranging from $1,594 (Llama 3.3 70B) to $15,915 (Claude Sonnet 4.6). In one GPT experiment, 80% of childcare support mentions targeted women. Researchers from Harvard Kennedy School and MIT Sloan warn of pay equity blind spots for employers.
- Canada & Latin America·News
Employment lawyers say AI is driving more, longer workplace complaints
Employment lawyers in Canada say employees are increasingly using AI chatbots to check and draft workplace complaints, resulting in more frequent, longer and more complex submissions to HR, sometimes running dozens or even hundreds of pages. Lawyers note the trend is rapidly spreading across workplaces, tribunals and courts, increasing the time HR must spend handling such complaints.
- United States·Policy & Law
US employers urged to review how long they retain workforce data
The article notes that former employees' data can linger in email archives, collaboration tools, badge logs, fleet telematics, and vendor systems. US federal rules set minimums: EEOC requires personnel records kept at least one year (longer if a discrimination charge is filed), and FLSA requires payroll records kept at least three years. It cites the FTC's January 2026 order against General Motors and the CPPA's September 2025 action against Tractor Supply as enforcement examples involving data retention.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Quebec's new government pledges to raise paid vacation to three weeks for all eligible workers
After Quebec's new Parti Québécois government was sworn in Oct. 21, 2026, Premier Paul St-Pierre Plamondon tasked the new labour minister with raising minimum paid vacation to three weeks for employees with one year of service; no effective date has been set. The PQ holds only 59 of 127 seats, so opposition support is needed. Current law grants two weeks after one year (4% pay) and three weeks after three years (6% pay); employer group CPQ estimates vacation pay could rise to 6%.
- United States·News
Fender denies layoffs after WARN notice, says staff return in new year
Guitar maker Fender responded to online layoff rumors, saying the WARN notice is not associated with layoffs and that employees will return to work in the new year. The notice relates to a temporary shutdown at its Corona, California factory during holiday inventory quiet weeks.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Zacatecas employers consider more hiring ahead of 40-hour work week
Employers in Zacatecas, Mexico, are reportedly evaluating increased hiring ahead of the upcoming 40-hour work week reform. The report provides no specific figures or implementation timeline.
- United States·Research
ZipRecruiter survey finds 53% of US workers say AI made work more enjoyable
ZipRecruiter released its 2026 AI Worker Report, based on a survey of 1,500 employed U.S. workers. While 42% worry AI will make their job or skills obsolete, 53% say AI has made their work more enjoyable, compared with just 6% who disagree.
- United States·Research
Study finds only 1 in 4 CHROs equipped for AI-era 'enterprise CHRO' role
A new study by executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles finds CEOs now seek nearly twice as many skills in CHRO candidates as a decade ago, yet only one in four CHROs operate as a true 'enterprise CHRO' spanning AI, automation, CEO advising, ethics, succession and workforce planning. Fewer than 5% of sitting CHROs have strategy, product or engineering backgrounds. AI-native firms like OpenAI and Anthropic have appointed chief people officers from non-traditional HR backgrounds.
- Asia-Pacific·Earnings
Tata Elxsi to restructure work allocation to boost productivity
During its Q2 FY27 earnings call, India's Tata Elxsi said it will shift selected tasks from senior employees to trained junior staff over the next six months to improve workforce utilisation and manage costs. Employee utilisation stood at around 78% in the quarter, and the company has completed its annual salary revision, expecting employee costs to stay largely stable.
- Europe·Policy & Law
European unions protest EU's proposed '28th regime', citing risk to workers' rights
On October 20, European trade unions protested outside the European Parliament in Strasbourg against the EU Commission's proposed '28th regime,' a new EU-wide corporate status mainly for startups and SMEs, which unions say could weaken workers' rights. The proposal is still at an early stage and not yet adopted.
- United States·Policy & Law
Trump administration moves to end H-1B extension protections, finalizes work permit renewal restrictions
The Trump administration, through DHS and USCIS, is proposing to eliminate a rule requiring officers to generally defer to prior approvals when reviewing extension petitions for employment-based visas including H-1B and L-1, and has finalized a separate rule ending automatic work permit extensions for certain foreign nationals including H-1B spouses. Both measures were made available for public inspection Tuesday and are set for Federal Register publication Wednesday, with significant expected impact on Indian nationals who make up the majority of H-1B holders and H-4 work-authorized spouses.
- Europe·News
Volvo Cars to cut additional 2,500 jobs amid China, US sales slump
On Oct 23, 2026, Volvo Cars announced an additional 2,500 job cuts, about 6% of its workforce, as it reported a Q3 2026 operating loss of SEK5.5 billion. Sales fell 23% year-on-year to SEK66.8 billion, with China sales down 41% and global sales down 11%. CEO Hakan Samuelsson said the old strategy of developing in Europe and selling premium cars in China no longer works.
- Europe·Policy & Law
EU Inc draft stalls in European Parliament's JURI committee over workers' rights dispute
The European Parliament's Legal Affairs (JURI) Committee failed to reach consensus on the EU Inc draft report on 19 October, following a postponed vote on 5 October, amid MEP disagreements over workers' rights. EU Inc, proposed by the European Commission in March 2026, is a bloc-wide 28th corporate regime allowing online company registration within 48 hours with EUR1 starting capital. Despite EU leaders' aim to finalize the law by year-end, EU Inc founders say the proposal has been diluted amid opposition and union protests.
- Europe·News
Generali to cut 9% of German workforce, consolidate offices
Italian insurer Generali plans to cut about 9% of its workforce in Germany and consolidate its office network into five regional hubs in Munich, Cologne, Karlsruhe, Hamburg and Saarbrücken. The company said job cuts will mainly be implemented through voluntary retirement arrangements as part of a cost-cutting restructuring.
- United States·Policy & Law
DHS rule could leave 20,000-33,000 work permits to expire, leaving Green Card applicants in job gaps
A report says a new Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule could put between 20,000 and 33,000 work permits (EADs) at risk of expiring, leaving Green Card applicants and H-1B spouses facing potential job gaps. Further details of the rule and its implementation were not provided in the excerpt.
- Europe·Research
Survey finds construction sector least prepared for Employment Rights Act changes
A survey by Peninsula found the construction sector is the most unprepared for the UK's Employment Rights Act 2025 reforms, despite 77.8% familiarity with the changes. Only 15% felt completely prepared, while 21.4% cited major or critical concerns about unfair dismissal changes, and 82% had begun preparations. The survey covered 220 senior leaders, 190 business owners and 109 other decision-makers.
- United States·Policy & Law
Allegheny County, PA, enacts paid parental leave and expands paid sick leave requirements
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Executive Sara Innamorato signed File #14083-26 into law on October 22, 2026, just five months after it was proposed. Employers with 15+ employees must provide 12 weeks of paid parental leave at up to $4,200/week, and paid sick leave expands to 72 hours annually for larger employers and 48 hours for smaller ones. The law takes effect 180 days after passage, with an additional 180-day implementation period, becoming operative around October 2027.
- United States·Policy & Law
Nevada logistics firm ITS Logistics pays over $396,000 to settle EEOC religious harassment charge
The EEOC found reasonable cause that a Jewish employee at Reno, Nevada-based ITS Logistics faced religious harassment, including antisemitic posts from co-workers and managers, leading to his resignation. Under a conciliation agreement, the company will pay $96,135.54 in back pay and $300,000 in damages, update anti-harassment policies, and report to EEOC for three years.
- United States·Policy & Law
California appeals court rules courts cannot second-guess employer's Fair Chance Act assessment
In McInerney v. Regents of University of California, a California appeals court ruled that courts cannot second-guess the outcome of an employer's individualized assessment under the state's Fair Chance Act (CFCA). The CFCA requires employers to assess whether an applicant's conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship to job duties after a conditional offer. The ruling provides relief amid numerous plaintiff lawsuits challenging such assessments.
- Europe·Policy & Law
UK pharma director awarded £24k after redundancy consultation left her unrepresented
A UK employment judge ruled that redundancy consultation with a pharmaceutical company director was 'wholly ineffective' after the employer failed to ensure she had authorised representation and misled her. She was awarded £24,000.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
Nearly 44% of India's GCCs now own platforms and AI outcomes, report finds
A report from TeamLease Digital found nearly 44% of India's Global Capability Centres (GCCs) now own platforms, products, AI adoption and business-critical outcomes. AI Architect roles command median fixed pay up to Rs 10.86 million annually at 15+ years' experience, while Principal Data Scientists earn up to Rs 9.28 million. AI-Core roles start at 2.5-3x the pay of AI-Support positions.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
AI could reshape how young employees start careers in India, IIT Madras paper says
A white paper titled 'How AI Is Reconfiguring Work in India', from the Centre for Responsible AI (CeRAI) at IIT Madras, says AI could reshape entry-level jobs in India by automating routine tasks and altering junior employees' responsibilities, even without eliminating entire roles. It recommends assessing AI's impact task-by-task rather than by occupation, flagging IT, BPO, finance and professional services as most exposed, with implications for how young workers gain experience and advance.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Netherlands opens transitional registration for labor leasing licensing law on November 1
The Netherlands will open transitional registration for the Wtta labor leasing licensing law from November 1, 2026, with applications due by December 31. Companies that register on time and meet conditions can continue leasing staff from January 1, 2028, even without final approval. A June 2026 Regioplan survey found one in three labor-leasing firms unaware of the new licensing requirement.
- Europe·News
Volkswagen plans to cut 12,000 more jobs by 2030, proposes transfer company scheme
According to media reports, Volkswagen's management plans to cut a further 12,000 jobs at its core brand by 2030, proposing that employees could voluntarily move into a state-subsidized transfer company (Transfergesellschaft) for retraining, during which they would no longer be VW employees. The plan, communicated by negotiator Arne Meiswinkel to the works council, is strongly opposed by works council chair Daniela Cavallo and union IG Metall, which is preparing labor disputes and possible strikes after year-end. An earlier report on October 19 said VW planned a multi-year pay freeze for its 600,000+ global employees through 2030.
- United States·Research
As 2027 health costs spike, some NJ employers cut worker health coverage
Private employer health plans are projected to rise 8%-9.5% nationwide in 2027, costing up to $19,000 per employee annually, while New Jersey's ACA plan premiums are expected to jump about 20%. Some employers are considering cutting health benefits or shifting more costs to workers. Roughly 300,000 New Jerseyans are also expected to lose Medicaid coverage starting Jan. 1, 2027 due to federal cuts.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
Saudi Arabia announces SR500 monthly financial support increase for retirees
Saudi King Salman approved on October 25, 2026, a financial relief package granting retirees and eligible beneficiaries of deceased Social Insurance subscribers or retirees a monthly allowance increase of SAR500, ahead of electricity and water tariff changes from January 1, 2027. The directive, proposed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also raises private-sector minimum wage thresholds under Saudization rules.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
India's top IT firms diverge on headcount in September quarter
India's four largest IT services firms reported divergent headcount trends in the September 2026 quarter: HCLTech added a net 6,450 employees, Infosys added 4,480, TCS continued expanding, while Wipro cut 6,716. HCLTech reversed a prior-quarter decline, driven mainly by fresher hiring, ending at 230,339 employees with attrition at 12.8%; Infosys reached 332,542 employees with voluntary attrition easing to 12.7%.
- China·Research
Experts discuss how Chinese firms' overseas expansion creates youth jobs abroad amid risks
At a labor economics forum in Beijing on Chinese firms' overseas expansion and youth employment abroad, experts noted that by end-2025 China had 58,000 overseas enterprises employing 4.761 million people, including about 1.8 million Chinese expatriates. Experts cited talent gaps in Africa, Central Asia and Latin America and called for credential recognition and support for returning youth, while warning of risks from informal recruitment channels.
- China·News
Shanghai holds fourth seasonal job fair for returning overseas students, offering 2,259 positions
On October 23, 2026, the Shanghai Human Resources Public Service Center held the fourth seasonal job fair for returning overseas students, with 81 employers offering 2,259 positions and nearly 1,000 students attending. The event combined in-person recruiting with AI-assisted resume writing and job matching, featuring companies like AUMOVIO, Spring Airlines and CP Group.
- China·News
BOSS Zhipin cracks down on rented accounts and fake job listings
BOSS Zhipin issued a notice targeting the rental/sale of recruiter accounts and posting of fabricated job listings, having already banned multiple violating accounts. The platform warned recruiters against third-party 'posting services' and cited cases of recruiters losing RMB9,000 and RMB1,600 to account rental scams, urging job seekers to verify job authenticity.
- United States·Earnings
American Express to cut 5% of global workforce amid AI restructuring
American Express plans to cut about 5% of its global workforce as it restructures to improve efficiency and prepare for broader AI adoption, according to its third-quarter earnings disclosure. The move will result in thousands of job cuts and a $336 million charge. The company had nearly 77,000 employees at the end of 2025.
- United States·News
Netflix layoffs and exec shake-ups expose Hollywood-Silicon Valley rift
Netflix has laid off about 6% of its workforce and abandoned an $82.7 billion bid for Warner Bros., facing investor scrutiny over its growth strategy. Tensions between its L.A.-based content executives and Silicon Valley engineering teams have deepened since co-founder Reed Hastings handed the co-CEO role to Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters in January 2023.
- United States·Policy & Law
US clocks fall back Nov. 1, payroll teams must credit the extra hour
US daylight saving time ends Nov. 1, giving employees working overnight an extra hour. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must pay for all hours actually worked including the repeated hour, which counts toward weekly overtime for nonexempt employees and potentially daily overtime in states like California and Alaska. The House passed the Sunshine Protection Act on July 14 to make DST permanent, but the Senate adjourned without acting and won't reconvene until Nov. 9, so the time change proceeds as usual.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Malaysia Budget 2027: RM2,000 minimum wage to take effect June 2027
Malaysia's Treasury Secretary-General Johan Mahmood Merican said the RM2,000 minimum wage, delayed to take effect in June 2027 under Budget 2027, is intended to give MSMEs time to adjust their business operations.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Finland set to implement EU Pay Transparency Directive by year end
The EU Pay Transparency Directive, adopted in 2023, was due to take effect in member states by June 2026, but Finland and several other countries are behind schedule. Finland's government submitted a legislative proposal in September to amend the Act on Equality between Women and Men, now before Parliament, expected to take effect by year end. Employee organizations criticize parts of the proposal as falling below the Directive's minimum requirements.
- Europe·Policy & Law
UK Employment Rights Act brings new requirements for staff records
UK outlet hrnews.co.uk published an article discussing what the Employment Rights Act means for employer staff record-keeping. Only a headline was available, with no further detail on specific provisions or effective dates.
- China·Policy & Law
Foshan labor bureau revokes rejection of injured worker's claim after 4-year delay
Worker Yang Baibao, 59, injured his leg at work in Sichuan in October 2022, but his work-injury claim was repeatedly rejected by authorities in Sichuan and later Foshan's Nanhai district over jurisdiction and filing deadlines, with courts upholding the rejections. On October 26, 2026, Nanhai district's human resources bureau revoked its rejection decision, reopening the path for his injury claim.
- Asia-Pacific·Funding
India's Hunar.AI raises Rs 40 crore Series A to expand frontline workforce conversational AI
Bengaluru-based conversational AI startup Hunar.AI has raised Rs 40 crore ($4.8m) in a Series A round led by Blume Ventures, with participation from Hyderabad Angels Fund, Seedstars International and others. Founded in 2022, the company helps manage frontline workforce hiring, onboarding, training and engagement across 20+ languages, and will use funds for AI infrastructure, product development and market expansion.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Dutch pay transparency law delayed again, 2027 start date unlikely
The Dutch pay transparency law has suffered further delays, with the legislative consultation now scheduled for December 14, making the planned January 1, 2027 effective date virtually unachievable. Works councils are advised to keep preparing for the new rules.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Spain's Workers' Statute Article 36 confirms night-shift workers have no right to overtime
Spain's Workers' Statute Article 36 defines night work as that performed between 10pm and 6am, and classifies as legal night workers those who work at least 3 hours daily or a third of their annual hours in that window. Such workers are barred from overtime except in specific urgent cases, and the law also limits their working hours and protects their health.
- Asia-Pacific·News
Japanese firms break price-hike taboo to pass on rising labor costs
Japanese companies are increasingly raising prices to offset rising labor costs, breaking a long-standing reluctance to pass wage increases on to consumers. Curry chain CoCo Ichibanya raised prices on 12 toppings by an average 17% in September and added a 7% late-night surcharge, among other examples cited.
- China·Research
Consultant Mu Sheng proposes 'Human-AI Collaboration Team' framework reshaping org and HR theory
Consulting firm Mu Sheng proposed the concept of 'Human-AI Collaboration Team,' defined as a work unit combining human members and AI agents with clear role division and decision rights. The article, published Oct 26, 2026, outlines five member types and cites Gartner and Microsoft frameworks distinguishing AI tools, assistants and agents, arguing traditional HR and org management theory must evolve.
- China·People
Harbin Pharmaceutical president placed under investigation two months before term end
Harbin Pharmaceutical (600664.SH) announced that president Lu Chuanyou is under investigation and detention by local disciplinary authorities for suspected serious violations, about two months before his term was due to end in December 2026. He had served in the Harbin Pharmaceutical system for nearly a decade and was appointed president in late 2023; reports note his cumulative pay over the past five years exceeded RMB 10 million.
- Asia-Pacific·Funding
Japan's KnowledgeWork secures ¥4.8B in Series C debt financing
Tokyo-based sales enablement AI company KnowledgeWork secured ¥4.8 billion in debt financing, including credit facilities, in the second closing of its Series C round, provided by Mizuho Bank, SMBC, MUFG Bank and others. Combined with ¥3.5 billion in equity from the first closing, cumulative equity funding reached ¥9.74 billion and total debt financing reached ¥6.49 billion, to support sales AI agent development.
- Europe·Research
McKinsey HR Monitor 2026 finds only 22% of firms do skills-based planning
McKinsey's HR Monitor 2026 finds only 22% of surveyed companies plan workforce needs based on skills, and just 11% pursue long-term workforce planning. The article notes AI and shifting role profiles are rapidly changing required competencies, urging mid-sized firms to align skills development with strategy.
- Europe·Product
Stepstone launches pay-per-application recruiting campaigns to rival Indeed
German recruitment platform Stepstone has introduced pay-per-application recruiting campaigns, following a similar offering already available on Indeed, according to talent360's Kamila Gula. The feature lets employers allocate budget based on application volume and quality per role, with campaigns managed via programmatic ad technology.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Legal primer on post-contract non-compete clauses in German healthcare sales
An article outlines German legal requirements for post-contract non-compete clauses in healthcare sales: they require handwritten signatures and delivery of the signed original, employer-paid compensation of at least half the employee's last contractual pay per year of restriction, and a maximum duration of two years. Clauses exceeding legitimate employer interests or unreasonably restricting employees are void only to that extent.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Dutch government plans to reform care leave to better support informal caregivers
The Dutch government plans to change care leave rules for informal caregivers, which could affect wage continuation and leave registration. Details of the plan and its payroll implications remain to be clarified.
- Europe·Research
WTW survey: 60% of German firms to review company car policy within a year
WTW's global Company Car Survey, covering 9,688 respondents in 75 countries including 359 German companies, found 83% of German firms offer a car benefit versus a 72% European average. 46% of German companies already let employees choose between a company car and a cash allowance, compared with 29% in Europe. 60% of German firms plan a policy review within 12 months.
- Europe·Policy & Law
MEPs visit Amazon warehouses in Germany and Poland over worker surveillance, algorithmic management
298 Members of the European Parliament are visiting Amazon logistics centres in Germany and Poland on October 26-27 to investigate workplace monitoring, productivity targets and trade union rights. The fact-finding mission comes as the European Commission prepares its Quality Jobs Act, expected to address algorithmic management and working conditions.
- China·Policy & Law
BOSS Zhipin cracks down on rental and resale of recruiter accounts for 'shell recruiting'
Chinese recruitment platform BOSS Zhipin said it will crack down on the renting and selling of recruiter accounts and so-called 'shell recruiting' practices. The report does not specify concrete enforcement measures, timing, or scale involved.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
India-NZ FTA takes effect, opening 5,000 temporary work visa slots for Indians
The India-New Zealand free trade agreement took effect on October 20, 2026, introducing a new temporary work pathway for eligible Indian professionals with a quota of up to 5,000 visas at any time and stays of up to three years, covering IT, engineering, construction, education, healthcare, yoga, culinary arts and Ayush. The deal also allows contractual service providers to stay up to 12 months, business visitors up to 90 days, and opens 118 services sub-sectors to Indian providers.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Brazil passes constitutional amendment ending six-day workweek, cutting hours to 40 without pay cuts
Brazil's National Congress passed Constitutional Amendment 141/2026, promulgated on October 16, 2026, ending the so-called '6x1' six-day workweek in favor of a five-day, two-day-off schedule, with the maximum workweek gradually reduced from 44 to 40 hours without pay cuts. Implementation begins December 15, potentially benefiting 26.8 million workers.
- Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Brazil's Lula plans labor law reforms after re-election, including ending 6x1 schedule
Following his re-election on Oct. 25, Brazilian President Lula plans to push labor law (CLT) reforms, including ending the 6x1 work schedule, combating fraudulent outsourcing and disguised employment, and strengthening unions. The proposals are not finalized and will be sent to Congress for debate.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Germany clarifies when employers can reject part-time requests used to dodge shifts
German labor law analysis explains that employees can request minimal part-time reductions paired with a preferred schedule to avoid weekend shifts, which employers must generally approve absent operational reasons. It outlines when employers may reject such requests as abuse of rights and why the rejection deadline matters.
- Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
UAE issues guidance on 12 work permit categories, fines for misuse up to Dh1 million
The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation published guidance in October 2026 covering 12 work permit categories. Employers who use a permit outside its approved purpose face fines ranging from Dh100,000 to Dh1 million. The categories include standard recruitment, transfers, family-sponsored residents, temporary and part-time permits, affecting foreign workers including Kenyans.
- Global·People
Deloitte executive Houston sees 45% pay rise amid company layoffs
A Deloitte executive identified as Houston reportedly received a 45% pay increase during a period when the company was conducting layoffs. The report did not disclose the specific compensation amount, layoff scale, or affected divisions.
- Europe·Research
Study finds European teens prefer professional care careers over needed frontline roles
A study using PISA data on a million 15-year-olds finds that in many European countries, over 90% of care-minded teenagers expect professional or managerial jobs, while eldercare and personal care roles barely register. Girls' care-career expectations rose from 38% to 43% between 2000-2022, boys' from 10% to 15%. The EU's 2022 European Care Strategy projects a need for 1.6 million additional long-term care workers by 2050.
- United States·Research
Stefanini's global CHRO highlights four core skills for AI-era hiring
Stefanini Group Global CHRO Bruno Szarf says AI is now a required skill in a third of entry-level jobs and has been adopted by 47% of U.S. employers. He recommends hiring based on four core qualities: change management, critical thinking, practical thinking and AI fluency, rather than traditional technical checklists.
- Global·Research
ILO paper finds fewer than one in five AI ethics guidelines reference labour standards
A working paper published by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in October 2026 reviewed 245 AI ethics guidelines and found more than 60% address work-related issues, but fewer than 20% mention the ILO or its international labour standards. Authors Jordi Agustí-Panareda and Daniel Samaan argue AI ethics discourse largely overlooks the ILO's long-established normative framework for labour governance.
- United States·Policy & Law
US November visa bulletin: EB-3 advances 21 days for India, EB-2 unchanged
The US Department of State's November 2026 Visa Bulletin advanced India's EB-3 Final Action Date by three weeks to January 22, 2014, while EB-1 (February 1, 2023) and EB-2 (November 1, 2013) dates for India remain unchanged. USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications in November using the Dates for Filing chart.
- United States·Policy & Law
H-1B crackdown sparks debate as Indian tech firms see sharp visa drop
US Vice President JD Vance publicly backed eliminating the H-1B visa program, calling it broken. Infosys and TCS saw their FY2027 H-1B registrations drop over 90% versus FY2026, while PERM permanent labor certification processing has been suspended for eight major tech employers, an opinion piece reports.
- Global·Research
Korn Ferry report predicts hiring, learning and workforce planning functions to merge by 2027
Korn Ferry's 13th annual Talent Trends report, published 22 October 2026 and surveying over 1,300 talent and senior leaders across more than 75 countries, found 69% agree HR, talent acquisition, learning and workforce planning will merge into a single integrated function by 2027. New senior HR roles focused on skills, work design and AI are expected to emerge, with 77% citing capability gaps as a bigger challenge than talent shortages and 66% planning heavy investment in reskilling.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Singapore tripartite workgroup issues six recommendations to extend senior employment
Singapore's Tripartite Workgroup on Senior Employment (TWG-SE) released a report with six recommendations aimed at helping more seniors who wish to remain in meaningful and sustainable employment for longer, while fostering age-friendly workplaces.
- Europe·Policy & Law
Germany to make workplace inspections fully digital starting 2027
According to the report, workplace inspections in Germany will become exclusively digital starting in 2027. No further details on scope or legal basis are provided in the excerpt.
- Europe·Policy & Law
France temporarily raises fuel allowance social exemption cap to €1,000 through end of 2026
Two French decrees dated October 20 temporarily raise the social security exemption cap for commuting fuel and mobility allowances to €1,000, applicable to payments made through December 31, 2026. Published in the Journal Officiel on October 21 and clarified by Service Public on October 24, the cap is a tax exemption limit, not a mandatory payment; employers still decide whether to pay it.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
UTS report says Australia's worker surveillance laws are dangerously outdated
A report by the University of Technology Sydney's Human Technology Institute, 'Drawing the line', says Australia's workplace surveillance laws are 'dangerously out of date', leaving workers exposed to invasive AI-powered monitoring and employers unclear on what's lawful. It calls for amending the Fair Work Act 2009 to require that monitoring be 'fair and reasonable', noting only NSW and the ACT have dedicated surveillance laws and the Privacy Act 1988 has an employee records exemption.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
Japan's foreign resident and worker numbers hit record highs amid stricter residency rules
Japan's Immigration Services Agency said foreign residents reached a record 4.28 million as of end-June 2026, up 3.8% from end-2025. Foreign workers hit a record 2.57 million as of October 2025, up 11.7% year on year. A government survey found 91% of foreign residents satisfied with life in Japan, even as Business Manager and permanent residency screenings tighten and renewal fees rise.
- Asia-Pacific·Research
Infosys adds 4,480 employees in Q2, headcount hits 332,542
Infosys added 4,480 employees in Q2 FY27, bringing total headcount to 332,542 as of September 30, 2026, up just 551 year-on-year. The company also hired 8,000 freshers this quarter toward a full-year target of about 20,000, more than half already met.
- Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Australia commits extra A$6.9m to mental health support for high-risk workers
Australia's federal government will spend an additional A$6.9 million over two years on mental health and suicide prevention for workers in high-risk industries, funding MATES in Construction to expand in New South Wales. Ministers Amanda Rishworth and Emma McBride announced the investment on October 22 as part of an extension of the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Support Programme. MATES has trained over 69,000 workers since 2022, producing more than 8,000 peer 'Connectors'.
- United States·News
Airbnb CEO Chesky says pure people managers won't survive the AI shift
Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky said on the Invest Like The Best podcast that the biggest risk in the AI era is refusing to evolve, not the technology itself. He said pure people managers who only manage people will have no future value, and leaders must become 'hybrid people managers' or manager-ICs.