8 things to know in global HR today
- 01United States·News
eBay cuts about 1,000 more jobs, 9% of workforce, despite stock surge
eBay is cutting roughly 1,000 jobs, about 9% of its workforce, in its second layoff round of 2026, CEO Jamie Iannone announced via internal memo, with affected staff to be notified in coming days. This follows about 800 cuts (6%) in February, bringing 2026 total reductions to roughly 15% of its 12,300 year-end 2025 headcount, even as eBay's stock has risen nearly 40% year-to-date.
- 02Europe·Policy & Law
UK to strengthen tribunal protections against unfair dismissal for pregnant women from 2027
The UK government confirmed that from 2027, employment tribunals will take a stricter approach to unfair dismissal cases involving pregnant women and new parents, a key pillar of the Employment Rights Act and the Make Work Pay agenda. The reform removes the two-year qualifying period, making protection against pregnancy and maternity discrimination a day-one right for all employees.
- 03Europe·Policy & Law
Tesco loses final bid to block major equal pay decision
UK retailer Tesco has lost its final attempt to block a major equal pay ruling. Details of the underlying case, including compensation figures, were not provided in the report.
- 04Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Canada immigration authority closes PR pathway, returns all related work permit applications immediately
According to the report, Canada's immigration authority announced the closure of a pathway previously allowing transition to permanent residency, with all related work permit applications being returned immediately as the change takes effect. The report does not specify the exact program name, number of affected applicants, or an official document link.
- 05United States·News
Brigham nurses vote to reject MGB contract offer, strike remains possible
On Oct. 23, 2026, more than 4,000 unionized nurses at Brigham and Women's Hospital voted to reject parent company Mass General Brigham's best and final contract offer, as MGB is simultaneously laying off workers and pursuing other cost-cutting measures. The union said it is ready to return to negotiations, leaving a potential strike on the table.
- 06Europe·Policy & Law
German Federal Labor Court Limits Lost-Earnings Claims in Hiring Discrimination Cases
Germany's Federal Labor Court ruled September 10, 2026, that employers need not pay ongoing lost-wages damages under the AGG equality law if rejected age-discrimination applicants obtain stable suitable work elsewhere. The case involved a trainee candidate rejected for exceeding the degree-acquisition deadline by one year.
- 07Canada & Latin America·Research
Report: Argentina lost 36,000 formal jobs since labor reform took effect
A Monitor report by Argentina's Instituto Argentina Grande finds that since Law No. 27,802 (labor modernization) took effect in March 2026, 36,000 formal private-sector jobs have been lost, bringing the cumulative total under the current administration to 241,200, with 13 consecutive months of decline. Growth was seen only in unregistered self-employment; measures like extended probation periods and 'hour banks' failed to spur formal hiring.
- 08Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
India caps government EPS pension contribution at ₹15,000 wage base despite EPFO wage hike
India's Ministry of Labour and Employment notified an amendment to the Employees' Pension Scheme (EPS) Rules 2026 on October 15, 2026, capping the government's EPS contribution base at ₹15,000 even though the EPFO wage ceiling for employer and employee contributions was raised from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000. The government will continue contributing 1.16% based on the old ₹15,000 limit, meaning no increase in its contribution.
Picked by importance across regions (at most two per country), from the day and the day before (US Eastern time). Every brief links to the original reporting.