8 things to know in global HR today
- 01Global·News
Over 135,000 Tech Workers Laid Off in 2026 Amid AI-Driven Restructuring
Over 135,000 tech workers were laid off globally in 2026 through October across 330+ companies including Amazon, Oracle, Meta, and Microsoft. UPS planned up to 30,000 operational job cuts; Oracle reduced 21,000 with up to 30,000 restructuring impact; Amazon cut 16,000 enterprise positions in January.
- 02Europe·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.
- 03United States·News
American Express to Lay Off 3,500 Employees
American Express announced 3,500 job cuts.
- 04Europe·Policy & Law
Unions Preemptively Demand Workplace Access Ahead of UK Employment Rights Act
UK unions began preemptively requesting workplace access ahead of October 30 Employment Rights Act implementation, granting union representatives and officials entry to offices and factories. Critics warn the act will impose significant costs and workplace disruption.
- 05Canada & 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.
- 06Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Vietnam decree exempts 18 categories of foreign workers from work permit
Vietnam issued Decree No. 393/2026/ND-CP on October 20, exempting 18 categories of foreign workers from work permit requirements, effective December 5, to streamline procedures and attract high-skilled talent. Exempt groups include owners of companies with capital contributions of VND3 billion or more, ODA project experts, certified foreign journalists, volunteers, and foreign teachers/managers. Vietnam currently has 162,858 foreign workers nationwide.
- 07Asia-Pacific·Policy & Law
Bombay High Court Rules EPFO Cannot Reject Higher EPS-95 Pension Applications Over Employer PF Trust Caps
On October 19, 2026, India's Bombay High Court ruled the EPFO cannot reject private-sector employees' higher EPS-95 pension applications solely due to employer PF trust caps. The ruling covers 40+ employees at Abbott India, Tata Communications, Raymond Steel and BEST Transport; the EPFO must process applications within eight weeks.
- 08Europe·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.
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.