8 things to know in global HR today
- 01Global·News
Nearly 196,000 Tech Employees Laid Off Globally in 2026
Global tech layoffs reached nearly 196,000 in 2026, peaking at 29,000 in May. Intel cut 15,000 jobs (15% of workforce) as part of $10 billion cost reduction; Cisco shed over 4,000 (5%); Oracle reduced headcount by 21,000 due to AI infrastructure expansion costs.
- 02Europe·News
Barclays to Cut 5,000 Jobs, Expands AI Adoption for Efficiency
Barclays announced 5,000 job cuts (5% of global workforce) as part of organizational simplification and technology-driven efficiency plans. The cuts follow prior reductions of 1,000 positions, with 4,000 more expected by end-2026; 60% affect support functions including software developers, concentrated in UK retail banking.
- 03Global·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.
- 04United States·Policy & Law
US Suspends 8 Tech Firms from PERM Labor Certification, Indian IT Workers Face Visa Uncertainty
On October 8, 2026, the US suspended eight firms—Microsoft, Adobe, TCS, Infosys, HCLTech, Wipro, Capgemini, and Cognizant—from PERM permanent labor certification, affecting their H-1B workers' green card pathways. Impacted employees receive eight-month grace periods after H-1B expiration; some roles may transfer to India.
- 05Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
Saudi Arabia Sets Minimum Salary at SAR 5,000 for Private-Sector Saudi Employees
Saudi Arabia set the private-sector minimum wage for Saudi employees at SAR 5,000.
- 06Europe·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.
- 07Middle East & Africa·Policy & Law
King Salman Orders SR500 Allowance Increase, Raises Minimum Wage
King Salman ordered a SR500 allowance increase and raised the minimum wage for Saudi citizens.
- 08Canada & Latin America·Policy & Law
Canada's Express Entry to implement new CRS points rules effective November 3
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced on October 16, 2026 that changes to the Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) will take effect November 3, 2026. The reform awards extra CRS points for high-wage job offers or qualifying Canadian work experience based on occupation wage levels, and removes the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement for qualifying job offers under certain categories. A new Labour Market Integration Factor grants points based on how an occupation's median wage compares to the national median, with occupations below 1.3x the threshold ineligible.
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.