Today's Human Resources Pulse
Greenhouse completes acquisition of Ezra AI Labs, adding voice‑AI interviewing
Greenhouse announced the completion of its acquisition of Ezra AI Labs, a voice‑AI interviewing platform. The technology enables on‑demand, role‑specific conversations that are scored against a uniform rubric, delivering transcripts and explainable evaluations. The deal expands Greenhouse’s structured hiring methodology to the earliest stage of the recruiting funnel.
What Are the Job Listing Deal Breakers for Applicants?
A Monster survey released April 24 finds that 60% of workers will not apply for jobs lacking a salary range, making pay transparency the top deal‑breaker. Unpaid assignments, negative employer reviews, vague descriptions and lengthy applications also deter large portions of candidates, with 59% to 45% respectively. The report notes that AI‑driven hiring tools are adding opacity, prompting applicants to cast wider nets while demanding clearer feedback. Employers risk losing talent unless they simplify applications and provide transparent compensation data.
Let’s Talk About How We Talk About AI
Howard Pyle, founder of XF, introduced a personal AI toolkit at HR Brew’s Talent 2030 event, aiming to move AI training from technical instruction to self‑knowledge. The tool asks users to articulate values and current AI use, then translates those...
Apprenticeship.com Announces New Apprenticeship and Paid Training Job Board as AI Reshapes Entry-Level Hiring
Apprenticeship.com launched a free job board that consolidates thousands of apprenticeship and paid work‑based training listings across skilled trades, technology, healthcare, and business. Founder Joel Goldberg says artificial intelligence is reshaping entry‑level hiring, prompting employers to favor structured, skills‑based pathways....
![[Industry News] Ubisoft Backs IG50 Awards as Into Games Opens Applications for 2026 Cohort](/cdn-cgi/image/width=1200,quality=75,format=auto,fit=cover/https://mcvuk.com/wp-content/uploads/Blog_header_2026_IG50.png)
[Industry News] Ubisoft Backs IG50 Awards as Into Games Opens Applications for 2026 Cohort
UK charity Into Games has opened applications for its IG50 2026 programme, which spotlights 50 emerging game developers from working‑class or low‑income backgrounds. Ubisoft has stepped in as headline sponsor, underscoring the publisher’s commitment to diversifying talent pipelines. The initiative...
The Hidden Cost of AI in Warehouses Is Training Workers
Artificial intelligence is rapidly entering logistics and warehousing, but workforce readiness is lagging. A Resume Now analysis using Lightcast data ranks the sector fourth among industries with the biggest gap between AI adoption and employee skill levels. The report highlights rising...
With Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals Reset RB Pay Structure
The Arizona Cardinals selected Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love with the No. 3 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, awarding him a four‑year, $53.02 million fully guaranteed contract. The deal eclipses Saquon Barkley's previous guarantee record for running backs and ranks...
Being Chronically Online Undermines Authentic Social Media Content
Please stop asking for “chronically online” I’d argue it makes Social Media Managers WORSE. Yet somehow it’s in half the social media job descriptions I come across, like it’s a superpower instead of a fast track to burnout, anxiety, and genuinely...
Job Postings Paint Picture of Cal’s New Content Venture After Layoffs
California's athletic department announced Strawberry Creek Studios, a new content‑creation venture replacing its traditional marketing and communications units. More than 20 positions were posted, indicating an investment of over $1 million in combined salaries. The studio will operate in four divisions—content...
Employers Retain Workers Amid Downturn: Power or Hoarding?
This can be interpreted in two ways: (1) good news interpretation suggests in pockets of the economy, labor has enough negotiation power that employers find it more profitable to retain existing workers through a profit downturn than to fire and...
Four Common Recruiting Mistakes Manufacturers Make—And How to Fix Them
Manufacturers are missing out on talent by neglecting training, using stale job ads, and over‑complicating interviews. The article outlines four common recruiting mistakes—skipping workforce training, decoupling technology from people, outdated listings, and lengthy interview cycles—and offers practical fixes such as...
Companies Boost Performance by Matching Work to Employees’ Circadian Rhythms
Harvard Business Review highlighted that firms that schedule work around employees’ chronotypes are reporting higher creativity, better decision‑making and lower burnout. The article argues that ignoring biological clocks costs organizations in idea generation and risk management.
International Creator Day 2026: American Influencer Council Flags Labor Policy Gap for Creator Workforce
The American Influencer Council (AIC) released its fourth International Creator Day Trend Report, “Built Not Posted,” exposing a stark creator labor gap: 39 million U.S. creators versus only 1.5 million full‑time‑equivalent jobs (3.9% full‑time). The report, produced with an Academic Advisory Circle...
Job‑Insecurity Survey Spurs Surge in HR and Change‑Management Consulting Demand
A new ADP survey of 39,000 workers across 36 countries shows fewer than one‑quarter feel their job is safe, igniting demand for HR, change‑management and talent‑development consulting. Firms such as Mercer, SAP and other boutique consultancies are racing to help...
Microsoft Launches First Voluntary Buyout, Targeting Up to 9,000 U.S. Workers
Microsoft announced its first-ever voluntary employee buyout, a program that could let up to 9,000 U.S. staff opt for early retirement. The move follows a hiring freeze in cloud and sales units and comes as the company pours capital into...
Meta to Cut 8,000 Jobs as AI Tracking Tool Sparks Employee Backlash
Meta announced a 10% workforce reduction—roughly 8,000 jobs—effective May 20, as it pushes a new AI‑training software that logs employee keystrokes and mouse movements. The cuts and the surveillance tool reflect a broader cost‑cutting drive overseen by finance leaders and...
Faranak Firozan Calls for Human Audits to Safeguard HR Data Integrity
Technical Program Manager Faranak Firozan warned on April 24 that relying solely on automated HR analytics can produce dangerous blind spots, citing a recent audit that uncovered 11 missing managers. She argues that a manual "Human Audit" is essential to...
Engineering Construction Workers Land 4.5% Pay Rise
UK engineering construction workers secured a 4.5% pay rise under the NAECI agreement after a narrow vote by 3,000 members. The increase translates to roughly £2,000 (about $2,560) per worker on average. The deal follows a rejected 3.6% offer and...
$30K FMLA Retaliation Case: DOL Finds Worker Was Forced Out
The U.S. Department of Labor ruled that the University of Tennessee violated the Family and Medical Leave Act by forcing an employee on approved intermittent leave to resign, rather than terminating them outright. The university also failed to provide the...
Strike at H&M’s Distribution Center in Ghlin
H&M Logistics announced the closure of its Ghlin, Belgium distribution center, shifting operations to Spain and Italy. The shutdown threatens 440 jobs and has sparked a strike as workers demand clarity on the site’s future. Unions say meetings under the...
Newly Employed Graduates Earn NT$39,000 on Average in 2025: Ministry
In 2025 Taiwan’s newly employed graduates earned an average monthly wage of NT$39,000 (about US$1,240), a 5.4% increase over the prior year. University graduates made NT$36,000 on average, while those with postgraduate degrees earned NT$53,000, with the highest pay in...
Meta Cuts 8,000 Jobs as AI Spending Hits $135B
Meta announced a third round of workforce reductions, cutting roughly 8,000 positions, or about 10% of its global staff. The cuts come as the company ramps AI investment to $135 billion this year, a spend equal to the total of the...
Employees Aren’t Confused About Their Benefits—They’re Anxious
Employees aren’t confused about their benefits—they’re anxious, a sentiment amplified by economic volatility and rising healthcare costs. While open enrollment for 2026 is still months away, HR leaders must address this anxiety now to avoid disengagement. Recent surveys reveal that...
Employees Aren’t Confused About Their Benefits—They’re Anxious
Open enrollment anxiety is rising as employee benefits become costlier and more complex. The Kaiser Family Foundation reports average family premiums reached $27,000 in 2025, a 6% increase that outstrips 4% wage growth, while deductibles have jumped 43% over a...
Remote Part-Time Commerce Editor Role with Top Brands
People, Inc. is looking for a Commerce Editor to work across brands like Travel + Leisure, Real Simple, and Food & Wine. 20 hours a week, $37-$40/hour, 3-month contract role, fully remote. These are the types of opportunities I share on...
Half of Workers Use AI Secretly, Exposing Governance Gaps
Why AI governance without guardrails is theater “Shadow AI is the default, not the exception: 45% of employees have used AI tools for work without informing their manager.” https://t.co/hIiiOG09ow https://t.co/E7hUNh4bJU
Acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling Has Been a Big Backer for Benefits
Keith Sonderling, the deputy labor secretary, has been named acting secretary after Lori Chavez‑DeRemer resigned amid expense‑report allegations. Sonderling, a former Wage and Hour Division chief and EEOC commissioner, is known for a pragmatic, employer‑friendly approach. He has signaled a...
Shopify Expands Internships to Embed AI Culture
Very smart move by @shopify, scaling internship program to infuse AI culture (from @Mdtower14) https://t.co/ef630DFeGY
Hire Those Who Teach You in Interviews
ICYMI: Fresh new article dropped: Zuck’s rule: “Only hire people you’d work for.” Nonsense: He wouldn’t and hasn’t worked for anyone. But, it points to a better test: Am I already learning from them during the interview? Would everyone else learn too? https://t.co/lywMRtGXYV
CFOs Fear Health Benefit Costs Are Ticking up Unsustainably
A Mercer survey of 161 CFOs reveals that 80% consider any annual health‑benefit cost increase above 6% unsustainable over three years, especially against 3% inflation. The same firm projects overall employer‑sponsored health costs to rise 6.7% this year, a 15‑year...
Research Roundup: A Surprising Benefit of Upskilling, Why Goals Can Backfire, and More
The latest research roundup highlights how employee upskilling can free managers from routine communications, delivering a 10% performance lift and strategic gains. Minor managerial slights, such as delayed birthday gifts, trigger measurable productivity losses—averaging two fewer work hours and a...
How HR Can Break the Tech Regret Cycle
A new Accenture and Wharton School report warns that HR leaders often experience software‑buying regret, which can erode budgets and employee trust. The study argues that HR executives possess the influence and experience needed to prevent purchases from feeling like...
How HR Can Break the Tech Regret Cycle
HR leaders can curb costly software‑buying regret by aligning tech purchases with genuine organizational needs. A new Accenture‑Wharton report finds three‑quarters of U.S. SMBs are re‑evaluating recent tech investments, and 82 % of those who regret switching cite growth‑draining costs. The...
Employee Regrets Staying After Counteroffer as Job Ends in 4 Months
An employee who resigned for a higher‑pay role accepted a counteroffer that exceeded the new salary, only to be terminated four months later amid a restructuring claim. The brief tenure highlights how counteroffers can provide short‑term financial relief but fail...
Accounting Entry Salaries Stagnant After a Decade
Starting pay for new accounting grads was $50,000- $75,000 in 2015. In 2026, its $60,000-$85,000. Factor in inflation, and accounting salaries haven't improved over the last 10 years.
Nominations Open for IRJ’s Women in Rail Award 2026
International Railway Journal (IRJ) has opened nominations for its fifth annual Women in Rail Award, with entries accepted until May 8. The award will profile winners in the June issue and on railjournal.com, showcasing leaders ranging from CEOs to train drivers....
Construction Pay Falls Against the Grain
Office for National Statistics data show construction average weekly earnings slipped to £789 (about $1,010) in February, a 2 % drop year‑over‑year and 4 % lower than December. The decline contrasts sharply with wage gains in manufacturing, engineering and real‑estate sectors, which...
Thousands of Engineers Receiving Pay Rise After Industrial Action Threat
Thousands of engineering construction workers in the UK will receive a 4.5% pay rise, about £2,000 (~$2,560) each, starting in May. The increase follows a threatened industrial action by Unite after an initial 3.6% offer was rejected. The deal, narrowly...
Channel Factory Expands Global Leadership Team as Demand for Contextual Advertising Accelerates
Channel Factory announced three senior‑level hires to accelerate its global expansion in contextual advertising. Colleen Liguori joins as Global Chief Human Resources Officer, bringing two decades of organizational design experience. Woo Kim steps in as Global Chief Financial Officer to...
Microsoft’s Plan for Reducing Its Workforce: Retirement Buyout Vs. Layoff
Microsoft announced its first‑ever retirement buyout as a voluntary alternative to layoffs. The program targets employees at or below the senior director level whose combined age and tenure equal at least 70 years. Eligible staff can receive an early‑retirement package,...
Feedback Wanted: Ottawa Consulting on Express Entry Reforms
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has opened a month‑long public consultation on sweeping reforms to the Express Entry system and its Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The proposal would collapse the three federal skilled‑worker streams into a single Federal High...
Recruiter's Advice: What It Really Takes to Get a Job in Journalism Right Now
Reach’s editorial talent acquisition lead Danielle Lavin outlines how hiring criteria for journalists are evolving. While core reporting abilities remain vital, publishers now prize transferable skills such as subscriptions, video, audio, and growth. Candidates must demonstrate deep industry awareness, tailor...
The Class of 2026 Walks Into a Job Market That Doesn’t Know What It Wants
The class of 2026 is entering a labor market reshaped by rapid AI adoption and ongoing tech layoffs. Graduates who are fluent with tools like Claude and ChatGPT are seeing immediate interest from hiring managers, while peers lacking AI skills...
AI Becomes Workplace Confidant as Loneliness Persists for 1,545 Knowledge Workers
A Harvard Business Review survey of 1,545 U.S. knowledge workers shows AI is increasingly used for personal support, with 78% anthropomorphizing tools and 28% treating them as teammates. Yet more than half report workplace loneliness, sparking calls for leaders to...
Why Gen Z's AI Skillset Isn't Translating to the Workplace
A recent Arkansas State University survey finds 26% of employers say entry‑level hires fall short on AI skills, and 18% have rejected Gen Z candidates for lacking AI expertise. While Gen Z is comfortable with tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini, their...
No AC, No Relief: Employee’s Viral Post Raises Alarm over Office Conditions
A Reddit post went viral after an Indian office on the top floor failed to provide air conditioning or ventilation during a scorching summer. The air‑conditioning unit broke down, was briefly repaired, then failed again, and management refused remote‑work requests...
Why the Recent Living Wage Rise Should Prompt a Payroll Infrastructure Rethink
The UK National Living Wage rose by £1,040 (about $1,320) per full‑time employee, raising payroll costs and exposing fragile payment processes. Around 25% of UK workers experience payroll errors, with nearly half encountering repeat mistakes and many taking over a...
Verizon CEO Warns of More Job Cuts After 13,000-Layoff Wave
Verizon CEO Dan Schulman told investors the carrier may need to trim more jobs after a November layoff of 13,000 employees. He linked the pressure to a shift toward an "AI‑first" model, a $20 million retraining fund, and a 0.98% post‑paid...
4 Ways to Build Tenacity in Others
The article outlines four practical ways leaders can cultivate tenacity in their teams. First, it urges an “earn‑it” mindset that frames opportunities as rewards for effort. Second, it recommends adding challenge weight incrementally to avoid overwhelming employees. Third, it suggests...
Why Erik Brynjolfsson Is a 'Mindful Optimist' About AI
Stanford economist Erik Brynjolfsson describes himself as a “mindful optimist” about AI, emphasizing that the technology’s impact hinges on human choices. He warns that AI now handles the execution phase of most projects, making the ability to ask the right...
Nike Cuts ~1,400 Jobs in Global Operations Overhaul
Nike's chief operating officer Venkatesh Alagirisamy said the company will cut roughly 1,400 roles across its Global Operations, chiefly in technology, as part of the final phase of its "Win Now" plan. The move aims to simplify structures, speed up...