Human Resources News and Headlines

Babcock Champions Apprenticeships as the Engine of Wales’s Future Workforce and Industrial Growth
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Babcock Champions Apprenticeships as the Engine of Wales’s Future Workforce and Industrial Growth

Babcock International marked a decade of its Hawk Aerospace Apprenticeship Programme during Apprenticeship Week Wales 2026, highlighting its partnership with the RAF, BAE Systems and local colleges. Since its 2016 launch the scheme has enrolled nearly 80 apprentices and created...

By Employer News (UK)
Sexual Harassment and the Employment Rights Act (Webinar)
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Sexual Harassment and the Employment Rights Act (Webinar)

The Employment Rights Act 2025 imposes a stricter duty on UK employers to take "all reasonable steps" to prevent sexual harassment, extending liability to harassment by third parties. The Act also reclassifies sexual‑harassment disclosures as protected whistleblowing, demanding trusted, retaliation‑free reporting...

By Personnel Today
SCM Talent Group Launches Supply Chain Technology Recruiting & Executive Search Practice
NewsFeb 13, 2026

SCM Talent Group Launches Supply Chain Technology Recruiting & Executive Search Practice

SCM Talent Group, a boutique executive‑search firm specializing in supply chain talent, announced the hiring of Palak Shah to launch a dedicated supply‑chain technology recruiting practice. Shah brings two decades of experience placing senior technology leaders across engineering, data, cybersecurity...

By HR Tech Series
Black History Month: The Catalyst to Foster More Inclusive Behavior Year Round
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Black History Month: The Catalyst to Foster More Inclusive Behavior Year Round

Black History Month offers a launchpad for companies to start genuine, year‑round inclusion initiatives. While many firms intensify diversity programming in February, the momentum often dissipates, sending a signal that equity is a seasonal concern. Experts from Peoplism argue that...

By HR Morning
PwC Says AI Cannot Replace Human Subjectivity in Decision-Making
NewsFeb 13, 2026

PwC Says AI Cannot Replace Human Subjectivity in Decision-Making

PwC says AI cannot replace human subjectivity in decision‑making, so it will keep entry‑level graduate roles to develop judgment. The firm will use AI only for low‑value, routine tasks while senior staff focus on nuanced analysis. PwC received 60,000 applications...

By Personnel Today
Yanik Guillemette Introduces an Intelligent Employee Recognition Assistant: Accolad Deploys Proactive AI to Empower Managers
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Yanik Guillemette Introduces an Intelligent Employee Recognition Assistant: Accolad Deploys Proactive AI to Empower Managers

Accolad has launched a proactive AI assistant that integrates directly into its employee recognition platform, turning sporadic praise into a systematic leadership habit. Inspired by trends unveiled at CES 2026, the assistant continuously scans work anniversaries, milestones and performance data...

By HR Tech Series
iDox.ai Launches Real-Time Guardrail to Prevent Sensitive Data Exposure in AI Workflows
NewsFeb 13, 2026

iDox.ai Launches Real-Time Guardrail to Prevent Sensitive Data Exposure in AI Workflows

iDox.ai unveiled Guardrail, a real‑time endpoint agent that stops confidential data from reaching generative AI tools. The solution applies policy‑based controls as users type, paste, or upload content, automatically blocking, sanitizing, or allowing actions based on risk. Guardrail targets legal,...

By HR Tech Series
Planning Consultancy Fuels Regional Growth With New Senior and Graduate Jobs Drive
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Planning Consultancy Fuels Regional Growth With New Senior and Graduate Jobs Drive

Cadnant Planning is expanding its North West footprint by hiring an Associate Director for Chester and senior or graduate planners at its Conwy office. The recruitment follows a surge in large‑scale housing, infrastructure and renewable‑energy schemes across Cheshire, North Wales...

By Employer News (UK)
Call to Protect Freelancers, ‘the Lifeblood of the Industry’
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Call to Protect Freelancers, ‘the Lifeblood of the Industry’

Perfect Storm’s “Freelance Landscape” report highlights growing strain between agencies and freelancers amid AI-driven industry upheaval. While 42% of freelancers report reduced agency work and 82% see day rates stagnating or falling, 33% note agencies are increasingly turning to freelancers...

By DecisionMarketing
How Businesses Can Reduce Employment Risk by Implementing Better Workplace Policies
NewsFeb 13, 2026

How Businesses Can Reduce Employment Risk by Implementing Better Workplace Policies

Businesses that neglect clear workplace policies face heightened legal disputes, morale problems, and financial loss. The article outlines how concise, practical employee handbooks, regular manager training, and up‑to‑date documentation can dramatically lower employment risk. It emphasizes early reporting mechanisms and...

By Employer News (UK)
Nurses in England and Wales to Get 3.3% Pay Rise
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Nurses in England and Wales to Get 3.3% Pay Rise

The UK government announced a 3.3% pay rise for roughly 1.5 million NHS nurses, midwives and allied health staff in England and Wales, effective 2026‑27. The increase outpaces the Office for Budget Responsibility's 2.2% inflation forecast but falls short of the...

By Personnel Today
[Industry News] Testronic Strengthens European Centre of Excellence with Senior Strategic Appointments
NewsFeb 13, 2026

[Industry News] Testronic Strengthens European Centre of Excellence with Senior Strategic Appointments

Testronic announced a wave of senior appointments to bolster its European Centre of Excellence, including CRO Samantha Williams taking a board seat, senior marketing manager Beata Czarnacka, and Director of Managed Clients Pawel Ziajka. The company also expanded operational leadership, with Chief People...

By MCV/Develop
OnPay Introduces Expanded HR Capabilities for Growing Teams
NewsFeb 13, 2026

OnPay Introduces Expanded HR Capabilities for Growing Teams

OnPay, a payroll provider for U.S. small‑ to medium‑sized businesses, announced an optional HR add‑on and a suite of enhancements designed to scale with growing teams. The new offering bundles employee document management, PTO requests, directories, software provisioning and org...

By HR Tech Series
Intrizen Announces Expanded Executive Team to Build on Rapid Growth and Drive Innovation
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Intrizen Announces Expanded Executive Team to Build on Rapid Growth and Drive Innovation

Intrizen, an HR and IT transformation firm and SAP partner, announced an expanded executive team, adding Jerold Lack as Chief Revenue Officer and Lyric Everly as Chief Marketing Officer. The leadership boost follows the company's recent inclusion on the Inc....

By HR Tech Series
New Study Finds Paycom’s IWant Has Delivered Significant ROI
NewsFeb 13, 2026

New Study Finds Paycom’s IWant Has Delivered Significant ROI

Paycom unveiled a Forrester Consulting study showing its AI‑driven IWant™ engine can generate a projected three‑year ROI of up to 431% for a composite of its clients. The research highlights substantial time savings—up to 600 manager hours, 60 executive hours,...

By HR Tech Series
Both the Number of New Workforce and Jobs Stagnant in Korea, Reports Indicate
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Both the Number of New Workforce and Jobs Stagnant in Korea, Reports Indicate

South Korea faces a looming labor shortage as its economically active population is projected to grow only 0.46% by 2034, creating a gap of roughly 1.22 million workers. Despite the demand for an additional 54,000 workers per year through 2029 and...

By The Korea Herald
HR Tech and Predictive Workforce Planning – Using Data and AI to Forecast Talent Needs Before Gaps Appear
NewsFeb 13, 2026

HR Tech and Predictive Workforce Planning – Using Data and AI to Forecast Talent Needs Before Gaps Appear

Predictive workforce planning leverages AI and real‑time data to forecast talent needs before gaps emerge, replacing annual headcount cycles with continuous, scenario‑based modeling. Modern HR platforms integrate internal signals—performance, learning, engagement—and external labor‑market trends to create a living intelligence layer....

By HR Tech Series
What Is ‘Febru-Lairy’? Experts Warn Employers of Reward Drinking Risks
NewsFeb 13, 2026

What Is ‘Febru-Lairy’? Experts Warn Employers of Reward Drinking Risks

Dry January has become a mainstream health challenge in the UK, with roughly 70% of participants completing the month. However, about 30% struggle, experiencing cravings that make them four times more likely to fail, and many of these individuals binge...

By Employer News (UK)
Skills Overhaul Needed as 40% of Job Capabilities Set to Change by 2030
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Skills Overhaul Needed as 40% of Job Capabilities Set to Change by 2030

The World Economic Forum projects that 40% of core job skills will change by 2030, prompting UK employers to overhaul recruitment, training, and development. Leaders like Bruce Fecheyr Lippens argue the shift is less about new technologies and more about transferable...

By HRreview (UK)
Real Equity vs Virtual Shares in Bulgaria: A Corporate Governance Playbook for Employee Incentives
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Real Equity vs Virtual Shares in Bulgaria: A Corporate Governance Playbook for Employee Incentives

Bulgarian companies are increasingly choosing between real equity and virtual (phantom) shares to motivate staff, each offering distinct governance and tax outcomes. Real equity provides statutory ownership and voting rights but can create minority vetoes and exit‑execution risk. Virtual shares...

By The Recursive
Noisy and Stuffy Offices Linked to Lost Productivity and Retention Concerns
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Noisy and Stuffy Offices Linked to Lost Productivity and Retention Concerns

New research by Logitech and Insight finds that noise, poor air quality and outdated technology are costing UK businesses over 330 million work hours each year. A survey of 2,000 hybrid and full‑time office workers shows a quarter lose an hour...

By HRreview (UK)
Are Workplaces Overlooking Gen X Employees?
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Are Workplaces Overlooking Gen X Employees?

A new Mather Institute report finds Generation X employees are being sidelined despite their unique ability to bridge younger and older workers in multigenerational workplaces. Only 15% of Gen X hold executive roles, lagging behind Millennials, creating a “leapfrog” effect. The report...

By HRD (Human Capital Magazine) US
ACI Report 2026 Highlights Mobility and Talent Pressures in Travel Sector
NewsFeb 13, 2026

ACI Report 2026 Highlights Mobility and Talent Pressures in Travel Sector

The ACI Report 2026 reveals that workforce mobility and talent shortages remain acute in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector despite broader market stabilization. Unemployment rose to 6% from 2% last year, and 58% of respondents intend to change jobs...

By TTG Asia
Using Behavioral Data to Improve AI Coaching
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Using Behavioral Data to Improve AI Coaching

Organizations invest heavily in personality assessments like DISC and CliftonStrengths, yet the insights often fade once daily work resumes. The core issue is that static reports rely on memory, which collapses under pressure, preventing behavior change. AI‑driven coaching can embed...

By ATD (Association for Talent Development) — Watch & Learn (webinars)
Employer Liable for Psych Injury Caused by Abusive Client's Phone Call
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Employer Liable for Psych Injury Caused by Abusive Client's Phone Call

Queensland Industrial Relations Commissioner Samantha Pidgeon ruled that an employee’s psychological injury caused by an abusive client phone call is compensable. The commission rejected the regulator’s argument that the worker’s sensitivity or lack of resilience absolved the employer. The decision...

By HR Daily (Australia)
New Law Treats AI and Technology as a "Unique Hazard"
NewsFeb 13, 2026

New Law Treats AI and Technology as a "Unique Hazard"

New South Wales passed the Work Health and Safety Amendment (Digital Work Systems) Bill, creating a Digital Work System Duty that obligates employers to ensure algorithms, AI, automation and online platforms do not endanger workers. The legislation follows a similar...

By HR Daily (Australia)
AI + Peers Is 1 + 1 = 3: Why Leaders Who Bet on Replacement Will Lose on Performance
NewsFeb 13, 2026

AI + Peers Is 1 + 1 = 3: Why Leaders Who Bet on Replacement Will Lose on Performance

The article argues that AI should be viewed as a capability amplifier that works best when paired with high trust among workplace peers. Recent Edelman Trust Barometer data shows growing trust in coworkers while overall social trust declines, creating a...

By CEOWORLD magazine
Spotlight on Strengths-Based Design Elevates Neuroinclusion
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Spotlight on Strengths-Based Design Elevates Neuroinclusion

Workplaces that adopt strengths‑based design for neurodiverse employees can unlock hidden innovation, according to occupational therapist and Rehab Management CEO Renee Thornton. While many managers already provide informal adjustments, few embed strengths‑focused approaches into organizational frameworks. Thornton argues that most...

By HR Daily (Australia)
Best Employee Engagement Software: Singapore and Malaysia’s Top Picks
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Best Employee Engagement Software: Singapore and Malaysia’s Top Picks

The HR Vendors of the Year 2025 awards in Singapore and Malaysia highlighted the leading employee engagement platforms in the region. Rewardz captured the gold award in Singapore, while Fermion took gold in Malaysia, with Achievers, Pacific Prime, Budaya by Leaderonomics...

By Human Resources Online (Asia)
Malaysia’s Population Growth Slows to 0.6% in Q4 2025
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Malaysia’s Population Growth Slows to 0.6% in Q4 2025

Malaysia’s fourth‑quarter 2025 demographic report shows population growth decelerating to 0.6%, reaching 34.3 million. Live births fell 5.4% while the elderly share rose to 8.0%, indicating an ageing trend. Labour demand grew 1.8% to 9.21 million jobs, the strongest since Q1 2024, with...

By Human Resources Online (Asia)
AI’s Impact on Workers and Organisations Depends More on Business Activities and Job Roles than Firm Size: MOM
NewsFeb 13, 2026

AI’s Impact on Workers and Organisations Depends More on Business Activities and Job Roles than Firm Size: MOM

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) told Parliament that AI’s effect on jobs hinges more on business activities and specific roles than on firm size. The ministry is analysing whether AI will complement or replace workers across both SMEs and multinational...

By Human Resources Online (Asia)
How In-Person Experiences Are Redefining Return-to-Office Strategies
NewsFeb 13, 2026

How In-Person Experiences Are Redefining Return-to-Office Strategies

Organizations are moving beyond compulsory return‑to‑office mandates, using curated in‑person experiences to reinforce culture and drive performance. FourthWall’s white paper shows that leadership‑led events, purpose‑aligned activations, and thoughtfully designed workspaces boost engagement, productivity, and talent attraction. The research also flags...

By Personnel Today
Why Workforce Training Still Falls Short in Malaysia and What We Are Actually Learning
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Why Workforce Training Still Falls Short in Malaysia and What We Are Actually Learning

Across Malaysia’s SMEs to large corporates, workforce training is routinely sidelined despite widespread acknowledgment of its importance. Leaders cite tight KPIs, cost‑centric budgeting, and fear of talent loss as reasons training loses priority. Even when programs run, generic content, lack...

By HRM Asia
Malaysia Expands Employer Duty of Care to Mental Health Under 2026 Flexible Work Safety Guide
NewsFeb 13, 2026

Malaysia Expands Employer Duty of Care to Mental Health Under 2026 Flexible Work Safety Guide

Malaysia’s Occupational Safety and Health Department released the 2026 Flexible Work Arrangement guide, expanding employer duties to include mental health and psychosocial risk assessments. The mandate requires mandatory OSH risk assessments for remote, hybrid, and staggered‑hour work, covering stress, mental...

By HRM Asia
CDC, NIH Performance Review Change May Rate More Workers ‘Unacceptable’
NewsFeb 12, 2026

CDC, NIH Performance Review Change May Rate More Workers ‘Unacceptable’

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health announced a new performance‑review framework that links lower ratings to easier termination. The policy reclassifies a swath of federal staff into a category with reduced civil‑service protections,...

By Inside Health Policy
EEOC Warns Agencies Against ‘Blanket Approach’ to Telework Denial
NewsFeb 12, 2026

EEOC Warns Agencies Against ‘Blanket Approach’ to Telework Denial

The EEOC and OPM released new technical assistance urging federal agencies not to apply a blanket denial of telework accommodations for employees with disabilities. The guidance stresses that telework decisions must be fact‑specific and comply with the Rehabilitation Act and...

By HR Dive
This Week in 5 Numbers: Nearly One-Third of Workers Want to Break up with Their Jobs
NewsFeb 12, 2026

This Week in 5 Numbers: Nearly One-Third of Workers Want to Break up with Their Jobs

A new Glassdoor survey shows 63% of employees describe their job relationship as “complicated” or ready to break up, highlighting rising disengagement. Demand for HR professionals has fallen more than 20% from pre‑pandemic levels, according to SHRM. Meanwhile, Target announced...

By HR Dive
Lawmakers Urge DHS to Exempt Health Care Workers From H-1B Visa Fee in AHA-Supported Letter
NewsFeb 12, 2026

Lawmakers Urge DHS to Exempt Health Care Workers From H-1B Visa Fee in AHA-Supported Letter

A bipartisan group of 100 lawmakers, led by Reps. Yvette Clarke and Michael Lawler, sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security urging an exemption from the $100,000 H‑1B filing fee for health‑care workers. The request is backed by...

By AHA News – American Hospital Association
Announcing: Enhancements to Quality Gates and Embedded Launch Activities for HCM and SAP Cloud ERP
NewsFeb 12, 2026

Announcing: Enhancements to Quality Gates and Embedded Launch Activities for HCM and SAP Cloud ERP

SAP announced upgrades to its Quality Gate framework and introduced Embedded Launch Activity support for both HCM and SAP Cloud ERP. The enhancements include new CQC (Continuous Quality Check) reports that deliver real‑time visibility into gate compliance. Embedded launch activities...

By HRTechFeed
Worker Sues Frito-Lay Alleging HR Dismissed Her Discrimination Complaint
NewsFeb 12, 2026

Worker Sues Frito-Lay Alleging HR Dismissed Her Discrimination Complaint

A former Frito‑Lay merchandiser, Diana Truitt, filed a federal lawsuit alleging age and gender discrimination after being denied a higher‑paying co‑lead position in favor of younger male colleagues. When she raised the issue with HR, the complaint was dismissed as...

By HRD (Human Capital Magazine) US
AT&T Employee Sues over Explicit Images in Workplace Group Chat
NewsFeb 12, 2026

AT&T Employee Sues over Explicit Images in Workplace Group Chat

AT&T faces a federal lawsuit from senior specialist Bridgette Tolbert, who alleges a workplace group chat circulated explicit images and sexual innuendos. After reporting the harassment to HR, she claims the company failed to act, and instead subjected her to...

By HRD (Human Capital Magazine) US
Judge Forces DC Fire Department to Face Supervisor Sexual Harassment Trial
NewsFeb 12, 2026

Judge Forces DC Fire Department to Face Supervisor Sexual Harassment Trial

A federal judge ruled that the sexual harassment allegations brought by DC fire investigator Whitney Ward against her former supervisor can proceed to trial. The court dismissed her discrimination and retaliation claims but allowed the hostile work environment claim to...

By HRD (Human Capital Magazine) US
Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Accusing Musk of Scheming to Strip Disability Accommodations
NewsFeb 12, 2026

Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Accusing Musk of Scheming to Strip Disability Accommodations

A federal judge in Washington dismissed a lawsuit filed by USDA Equal Employment Specialist Fenyang Ajamu Stewart, who alleged Elon Musk, the department secretary, and senior officials conspired to eliminate his remote‑work accommodation for disabilities and force him out of...

By HRD (Human Capital Magazine) US
New York Court Forces Freight Company to Pay for COVID-19 Workplace Death
NewsFeb 12, 2026

New York Court Forces Freight Company to Pay for COVID-19 Workplace Death

A New York appellate court ruled that ABF Freight System must pay death benefits after a truck driver died from COVID‑19 contracted at the company’s Brooklyn terminal in 2020. The decision affirms the driver’s death as a work‑related accident under...

By HRD (Human Capital Magazine) US
Employer Loses Appeal Ruling on 'Thief' Comments About Ex-Worker to Clients
NewsFeb 12, 2026

Employer Loses Appeal Ruling on 'Thief' Comments About Ex-Worker to Clients

An Ohio appellate court ruled that a former copier‑services company breached its nondisparagement agreement by calling a ex‑employee a “thief” to prospective clients, overturning a lower court’s reliance on qualified privilege. The decision holds that disparaging remarks unrelated to the...

By HRD (Human Capital Magazine) US
$1 Trillion Lost as Workers Delay Mental Health Care
NewsFeb 12, 2026

$1 Trillion Lost as Workers Delay Mental Health Care

A nationwide Renaissance Recovery survey found U.S. employees lost more than $1 trillion in earnings over the past five years due to untreated mental‑health and substance‑use disorders. Forty‑one percent said these conditions impaired their ability to work, cutting average income by...

By Employee Benefit News
Roundup: HR Tech Confronts Cooling Investor Sentiment Despite AI
NewsFeb 12, 2026

Roundup: HR Tech Confronts Cooling Investor Sentiment Despite AI

HR technology firms are posting solid revenue growth as AI‑enabled talent‑management tools gain traction, yet investor sentiment is cooling. Recent earnings beats have been offset by sharp share‑price declines, reflecting worries about slower sales cycles and rising customer‑acquisition costs. Workforce...

By HRTechFeed
Italy's Pay Transparency Decree: A Turning Point for Equal Pay
NewsFeb 12, 2026

Italy's Pay Transparency Decree: A Turning Point for Equal Pay

On 5 February 2026 Italy’s Council of Ministers approved a draft legislative decree to transpose the EU Pay‑Transparency Directive (2023/970) into national law, with a June 7 2026 deadline for full implementation. The decree anchors equal‑pay assessments to the classifications set out in national...

By Littler – Insights/News
Seres to Lay Off Staff, Pause Top Program in Latest Reboot
NewsFeb 12, 2026

Seres to Lay Off Staff, Pause Top Program in Latest Reboot

Seres Therapeutics, a cash‑strapped microbiome drug developer, will cut about 30 % of its workforce and suspend its lead program SER‑155, which targets graft‑versus‑host disease. The company will redirect resources toward earlier‑stage immunology candidates such as SER‑603, aiming to extend its...

By BioPharma Dive