Human Resources News and Headlines

NHS Workers Hounded by Bailiffs over Payroll Errors
NewsFeb 17, 2026

NHS Workers Hounded by Bailiffs over Payroll Errors

A Freedom of Information review of 142 NHS trusts reveals a sharp rise in staff referrals to bailiffs over payroll overpayments, climbing from 1,807 cases in 2020‑21 to 2,683 in 2024‑25. Since 2020, trusts have made an average of 50,770...

By Personnel Today
Endless Meetings and Apps Leave Employees Struggling to Focus
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Endless Meetings and Apps Leave Employees Struggling to Focus

Employees are now averaging only two to three hours of uninterrupted focus each day as meeting density and app overload surge. Hubstaff’s 2026 Global Benchmarks Report shows meeting frequency has doubled and organizations run six times more meetings than two...

By Employee Benefit News
How Inclusive Leadership Can Shape the Next Generation of Games
NewsFeb 17, 2026

How Inclusive Leadership Can Shape the Next Generation of Games

At Pocket Gamer Connects London 2026, Aurora UK Awards highlighted women and non‑binary leaders, featuring an interview with former Monument Valley director Jennifer Estaris. Estaris emphasizes designing inclusion into hiring, mentorship, and leadership culture, arguing it drives creative and commercial...

By PocketGamer.biz
Hackajob Announces Its AI Recruiting Agent Has Surpassed $1 Million in ARR
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Hackajob Announces Its AI Recruiting Agent Has Surpassed $1 Million in ARR

Hackajob announced that its AI recruiting agent, Archer, generated $1 million in annual recurring revenue within just 90 days of launch, making it the fastest‑growing AI‑native recruiting product. The platform qualified 35,000 double‑opt‑in introductions, achieved a 20:1 candidate‑to‑hire ratio and blocked...

By HRTechFeed
Nearly 90% of the Largest U.S. Healthcare Systems Use UKG
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Nearly 90% of the Largest U.S. Healthcare Systems Use UKG

UKG announced its presence at ViVE 2026 and HIMSS 2026, showcasing its Workforce Operating Platform tailored for healthcare. The platform, already used by nearly 90% of the largest U.S. health systems, combines HR, payroll and AI‑driven workforce management to boost productivity and...

By HRTechFeed
URecruits’ Agentic AI Helps Recruiters Cut Admin Tasks and Reduce Candidate Ghosting
NewsFeb 17, 2026

URecruits’ Agentic AI Helps Recruiters Cut Admin Tasks and Reduce Candidate Ghosting

uRecruits has launched an Agentic AI platform that automates core recruiting tasks such as job creation, resume parsing, candidate ranking, and interview scheduling. The autonomous agents cut administrative work by up to 60 % and reduce candidate ghosting by 50 %, while...

By HR Tech Series
UK Employees Are Absorbing the Hidden Costs of Modern Work, New Data Reveals
NewsFeb 17, 2026

UK Employees Are Absorbing the Hidden Costs of Modern Work, New Data Reveals

Capture Expense’s analysis of 371,000 UK expense claims shows employees are shouldering hidden costs of modern work. Only 7% of firms reimburse home‑office setups, leaving staff to fund equipment and utilities. Claims reveal significant micro‑spends on coffee, meals and entertainment,...

By Employer News (UK)
Mediazoo Group Launches Unified Vision Designed to Give Organisations a Competitive Edge
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Mediazoo Group Launches Unified Vision Designed to Give Organisations a Competitive Edge

Mediazoo Group has officially launched, consolidating its three specialist firms—Mediazoo, Finer Vision, and Uncertainty Experts—under a single vision to boost human performance. The combined offering blends purpose‑driven storytelling, AI‑enabled training, and neuroscience‑based behavioural science. Recent accolades, including the LPI Learning...

By Employer News (UK)
HireClix Introduces ‘Welcome Back’ Functionality to Improve Candidate Engagement and Enhance Personalization
NewsFeb 17, 2026

HireClix Introduces ‘Welcome Back’ Functionality to Improve Candidate Engagement and Enhance Personalization

HireClix has launched a new "Welcome Back" feature for its HireClix‑powered career sites, using secure local storage to recall a returning candidate’s recent search terms and last‑viewed job. The functionality automatically restores the user’s previous activity, letting candidates resume their...

By HR Tech Series
How Curiosity Shaped a Career in TA: Carmen Hudson’s Career Crossroads
NewsFeb 17, 2026

How Curiosity Shaped a Career in TA: Carmen Hudson’s Career Crossroads

Carmen Hudson, a seasoned talent acquisition leader, credits curiosity as the engine behind her varied career moves. She recounts how each transition—from agency recruiting to corporate TA leadership—was driven by a desire to explore new challenges and learn emerging hiring...

By HRTechFeed
Coast Hotels Celebrates Its Top Achievers
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Coast Hotels Celebrates Its Top Achievers

Coast Hotels Limited, a subsidiary of APA Hotel Canada, announced the winners of its 2025 Coast Hotels Awards at the annual brand conference in Nanaimo, B.C. The ceremony highlighted a range of performance‑based recognitions, including a first‑ever Lifetime Achievement Award...

By Hotelier Magazine (Canada)
How a Tip Dispute Turned Into a $62K FLSA Payout
NewsFeb 17, 2026

How a Tip Dispute Turned Into a $62K FLSA Payout

A Denver restaurant, Tommy’s Thai, agreed to pay $61,568 in back wages and a $990 civil penalty after the Department of Labor found it kept employee tips and failed to maintain proper payroll records. The investigation, sparked by a tip...

By HR Morning
Half of Americans Believe only the Rich Can Afford GLP-1s without Insurance
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Half of Americans Believe only the Rich Can Afford GLP-1s without Insurance

A ValuePenguin study finds that a median‑income American household would need to allocate about 7.3% of earnings to afford a two‑milligram monthly supply of Ozempic, the flagship GLP‑1 weight‑loss drug. In the poorest states, the cost can approach one‑tenth of...

By Human Resource Executive
Alde Medi Impex Names Parag Bhatnagar as VP-HR
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Alde Medi Impex Names Parag Bhatnagar as VP-HR

Alde Medi Impex appointed Parag Bhatnagar as vice president‑human resources to lead HR for its corporate office and the upcoming Kashipur manufacturing facility. Bhatnagar brings over 20 years of cross‑industry experience, previously serving as corporate HR head at Biodeal Pharmaceuticals...

By HR Katha (India)
With the Rise of AI Generated Grievances- How Should HR Professionals Respond?
NewsFeb 17, 2026

With the Rise of AI Generated Grievances- How Should HR Professionals Respond?

HR teams now confront an influx of AI‑crafted grievance letters, which appear polished but often lack substantive detail. These documents tend to be overly legalistic, repetitive, and sometimes embed inaccurate case references, complicating investigations and prolonging resolution. Experts advise returning...

By Employer News (UK)
UP Sees Sharp Rise in Women’s Workforce Participation
NewsFeb 17, 2026

UP Sees Sharp Rise in Women’s Workforce Participation

Uttar Pradesh’s female labour force participation surged from 14 percent in 2017‑18 to 36 percent in 2023‑24, according to the Women Economic Empowerment Index. The increase narrows the gap with the national average of 45 percent, reflecting policy‑driven shifts such as Mission Shakti...

By HR Katha (India)
The Fall of Personalization and Rise of Anticipatory Benefits
NewsFeb 17, 2026

The Fall of Personalization and Rise of Anticipatory Benefits

Benefit leaders are moving beyond personalization toward anticipatory benefits, as Businessolver unveils an AI‑driven platform called Sophia that predicts employee needs before they arise. The solution mines chatbot transcripts, service calls, and activity data to deliver proactive nudges and alerts,...

By Employee Benefit News
Xcede Group Appoints Adam Blaney as Chief Executive Officer
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Xcede Group Appoints Adam Blaney as Chief Executive Officer

Xcede Group, a specialist recruitment firm for technology and energy sectors, has named Adam Blaney as its new Chief Executive Officer effective immediately. Blaney, who joined the leadership team in 2020, brings deep operational knowledge and a proven track record...

By HR Tech Series
‘Greater Diversity Reshapes Expectations’: Women in Energy Storage Network on Strengthening and Empowering an Inclusive Industry
NewsFeb 17, 2026

‘Greater Diversity Reshapes Expectations’: Women in Energy Storage Network on Strengthening and Empowering an Inclusive Industry

The Women in Energy Storage Network (WinES), founded in 2024, now serves over 1,600 members across the UK’s fast‑growing energy‑storage sector. It earned the 2025 Diversity and Inclusion Award, highlighting its role in elevating female talent. WinES will host a...

By Energy Storage News
Sanofi to Expand Hyderabad GCC; Plans Workforce Growth Beyond 4,500
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Sanofi to Expand Hyderabad GCC; Plans Workforce Growth Beyond 4,500

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi announced it will enlarge its Global Capability Centre (GCC) in Hyderabad, raising headcount from over 2,600 to more than 4,500 employees. The expansion will be financed by a multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar investment, building on a 2024 pledge of...

By HR Katha (India)
Pay Transparency Is a Cultural Shift, Not a Reporting Exercise
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Pay Transparency Is a Cultural Shift, Not a Reporting Exercise

Pay transparency is evolving from a policy debate to a cultural imperative worldwide, with 16 U.S. states, several countries and EU members already enforcing or drafting legislation. Early adopters reveal that defining "equal work," cleaning legacy pay data, and establishing...

By theHRDIRECTOR
Reform UK Would ‘Repeal Equality Act’
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Reform UK Would ‘Repeal Equality Act’

Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage and fronted by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, announced it would repeal the Equality Act on its first day in office. The party also pledged to dissolve the equalities department, scrap the equalities minister,...

By Personnel Today
Nearshore Hiring Moves Beyond Engineering as US Firms Place Revenue Teams in Latin America
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Nearshore Hiring Moves Beyond Engineering as US Firms Place Revenue Teams in Latin America

U.S. companies are expanding nearshore hiring beyond software engineering to include sales, customer success, and support teams in Latin America. The customer‑success market is projected to reach $16.5 billion by 2033, while bilingual support job postings have risen 50% year‑over‑year. Talent...

By HR Tech Series
Employee Mental Health Tops the Concerns and Priorities of Employers for 5th Year Running
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Employee Mental Health Tops the Concerns and Priorities of Employers for 5th Year Running

New research from benefits firm Everywhen shows mental health remains the top concern for employers, with 59% flagging it as a priority. Nearly half (49%) plan to focus resources on mental‑health support over the next 12 months, outpacing physical, financial...

By Employer News (UK)
UAE Clarifies Annual Leave Rules; Sets Limits on Carrying Forward Unused Days
NewsFeb 17, 2026

UAE Clarifies Annual Leave Rules; Sets Limits on Carrying Forward Unused Days

The UAE Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation issued new guidance clarifying annual leave entitlements and carry‑forward limits. Employees earn a minimum of 30 days paid leave after one year, with accrual at two days per month before that. Unused leave...

By HR Katha (India)
Employee Benefits: What Organizations Could Expect in 2026
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Employee Benefits: What Organizations Could Expect in 2026

Employers face unprecedented health‑plan cost spikes in 2026, driven by specialty drug prices, catastrophic claims and rising provider expenses. The HUB International outlook highlights AI‑powered decision tools that simplify plan selection but raise data‑privacy questions. Wellness initiatives are expanding, with...

By HR Bartender
Youth Unemployment at 11-Year High with 16% Out of Work
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Youth Unemployment at 11-Year High with 16% Out of Work

Youth unemployment in the UK surged to 16.1% in the October‑December 2025 quarter, the highest level since 2014 and now above the EU average of 14.9%. Overall unemployment rose to 5.2%, a five‑year peak, while pay‑rolled jobs slipped by 6,000,...

By Personnel Today
The Film and TV Charity’s Money Matters Survey Reveals Worrying Trend for the Industry
NewsFeb 17, 2026

The Film and TV Charity’s Money Matters Survey Reveals Worrying Trend for the Industry

The Film and TV Charity’s second Money Matters report, based on 2,000 industry workers, reveals that 74 % are contemplating leaving the sector because of financial pressure and 43 % have already taken concrete steps to exit. Sustained worklessness affects 22 % of...

By TVBEurope
Karnataka Plans Tough Law to Protect Govt Staff; Proposes Jail Term for Assault and Threats
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Karnataka Plans Tough Law to Protect Govt Staff; Proposes Jail Term for Assault and Threats

Karnataka is drafting a law to make assaults, intimidation, and damage to public property against government employees non‑bailable, with penalties of up to three years imprisonment and fines up to Rs 50,000. The bill defines violence broadly, covering physical attacks, threats,...

By HR Katha (India)
Trainee Solicitors Among Record Number Seeking Mental Health Support
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Trainee Solicitors Among Record Number Seeking Mental Health Support

LawCare’s 2025 Impact Report shows the charity supported a record 753 legal professionals, surpassing pandemic levels. Trainee solicitors accounted for 13% of contacts, second only to private‑practice solicitors at 42%. Stress, career concerns and anxiety were the top reasons callers...

By Legal Cheek (UK)
Jersey Hired Secures $250,000 Investment to Revolutionize Local Recruitment Technology
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Jersey Hired Secures $250,000 Investment to Revolutionize Local Recruitment Technology

Jersey Hired, New Jersey’s leading hyper‑local job board, announced a $250,000 strategic investment from its parent, Local Talent Group. The capital will accelerate AI‑driven matching, mobile‑first UX upgrades, and an expanded sales force targeting South and Central Jersey. By focusing...

By HR Tech Series
Sony Pictures Networks India Trims Workforce Amid Restructuring
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Sony Pictures Networks India Trims Workforce Amid Restructuring

Sony Pictures Networks India (SPNI) has trimmed its workforce by more than 100 employees, roughly ten percent of its staff, as part of a broader restructuring effort. The cuts span multiple functions, including middle‑ and senior‑management roles in distribution and...

By HR Katha (India)
New London Tribunal Centre to Open as Backlog Exceeds 66,000 Cases
NewsFeb 17, 2026

New London Tribunal Centre to Open as Backlog Exceeds 66,000 Cases

The UK’s largest dedicated tribunal centre in London will begin hearing cases in March, adding 30 hearing rooms and capacity for up to 60 judges. The move responds to a growing backlog of more than 66,000 tribunal cases across employment,...

By HRreview (UK)
How Recruitment Funding Really Works (Beyond the Percentage)
NewsFeb 17, 2026

How Recruitment Funding Really Works (Beyond the Percentage)

Recruitment agencies often focus on headline funding percentages, but the true cost is driven by how funding behaves under real‑world conditions. Factors such as debt protection activation, margin release timing, invoice aging, credit limits, and ancillary charges shape cash‑flow stability...

By Onrec
Employee Upset by "Retaliatory" Communication Wasn't Forced to Quit
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Employee Upset by "Retaliatory" Communication Wasn't Forced to Quit

The Fair Work Commission ruled that the Transport Accident Commission’s decision to restart a performance‑management process was not retaliatory, finding the employee was not forced to quit. The commission emphasized that the employer’s aim was a “positive and productive” relationship...

By HR Daily (Australia)
Draft IT Rules 2026: Relief on Meal Vouchers, Higher Tax on Company Cars?
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Draft IT Rules 2026: Relief on Meal Vouchers, Higher Tax on Company Cars?

The Indian government’s draft Income‑Tax Rules for 2026 propose raising the tax‑free limit on meal vouchers and subsidised office meals from Rs 50 to Rs 200 per meal, potentially allowing employees to claim up to Rs 1.05 lakh annually as a tax‑free benefit. At...

By HR Katha (India)
IRM Group Appoints Richa Ahuja Sharma as Head-HR & Administration
NewsFeb 17, 2026

IRM Group Appoints Richa Ahuja Sharma as Head-HR & Administration

Ahmedabad‑based IRM Group has named Richa Ahuja Sharma as head of HR & administration to steer its expanding non‑pharma portfolio, which spans agriculture, animal health, pharma engineering, facilities management and aviation support. Sharma will oversee human‑resource and administrative functions across...

By HR Katha (India)
Paras Health Appoints Balkishan Sharma as CHRO
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Paras Health Appoints Balkishan Sharma as CHRO

Paras Health has appointed Balkishan Sharma as chief human resources and business transformation officer, a move that underscores the network’s drive toward operational excellence and growth. Sharma returns after a six‑year stint with the group and brings more than 18...

By HR Katha (India)
Online Labor Demand Increased in January
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Online Labor Demand Increased in January

The Conference Board‑Lightcast Help Wanted OnLine® (HWOL) Index rose to 100.4 in January 2026, a modest 0.4 % gain from December’s revised 100.0 reading. The increase follows a 5.6 % decline between November and December and leaves the index 15.4 % lower than a...

By The Conference Board – News/Indicators (LEI, Consumer Confidence)
Why Most Workplace Training Doesn't Shift Problematic Behaviour
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Why Most Workplace Training Doesn't Shift Problematic Behaviour

Most employers treat sexual‑harassment training as a compliance checkbox rather than a cultural transformation tool. Felicity Menzies of Culture Plus Consulting warns that such programs often trigger defensiveness, especially among men, and can actually reduce the likelihood of recognizing and...

By HR Daily (Australia)
Advertising Leader Jane Callister Joins Impala Talent
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Advertising Leader Jane Callister Joins Impala Talent

Jane Callister, a 30‑year advertising veteran, has joined Impala Talent as a senior recruitment partner. Her career spans top agencies such as Publicis UK, JWT, DDB, TBWA, and M&C Saatchi, giving her deep operational insight. Callister will apply this expertise...

By Campaign Brief
City Firm Sets Out Which Types of Client It Will Not Act For
NewsFeb 17, 2026

City Firm Sets Out Which Types of Client It Will Not Act For

Bellevue Law, a 35‑lawyer City firm and newly certified B Corp, has introduced a Sustainable and Responsible Legal Advice pledge that bars it from representing clients in sectors deemed controversial or ineligible by B Lab. The firm also refuses work...

By Legal Futures (UK)
The World Is Accelerating: What Have We Learned About Leadership?
NewsFeb 17, 2026

The World Is Accelerating: What Have We Learned About Leadership?

Leadership in 2026 faces unprecedented acceleration, driven by rapid AI advancements, shifting global politics, and heightened scrutiny over ethical conduct. Executives must balance speed with responsibility, integrating data‑driven decision‑making while preserving human judgment. The era demands continuous learning, agile structures,...

By HRTechFeed
Inside the New Era of Mega Pay for U.S. Bank CEOs
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Inside the New Era of Mega Pay for U.S. Bank CEOs

U.S. bank CEOs have entered a new compensation tier, with Brian Moynihan, Jane Fraser and David Solomon earning $41‑$47 million for 2025, marking 17‑21% increases driven largely by equity awards. The $40 million baseline reflects strong earnings, trading profits and revived deal...

By CEOWORLD magazine
Bee Network Staff Accept Pay Deal
NewsFeb 17, 2026

Bee Network Staff Accept Pay Deal

More than 200 Transport for Greater Manchester staff ended strike action after accepting a multi‑year pay deal backed by Unite and Unison. The agreement delivers a minimum 3.2% increase, back‑dated to April 2025, and raises the lowest hourly rate to...

By Personnel Today
How Choice Architecture Can Help Boost Engagement
NewsFeb 16, 2026

How Choice Architecture Can Help Boost Engagement

CEOs are wrestling with back‑to‑office mandates as hybrid roles dominate, with 85% of UK hybrid listings requiring at least two office days. Gallup’s 2024 data shows employees who control their work arrangements are 43% more engaged, warning that strict schedules...

By CEOWORLD magazine
Cal/OSHA Proposes a New ‘Walkaround Rule’
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Cal/OSHA Proposes a New ‘Walkaround Rule’

On February 13, 2026 Cal/OSHA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to create a “walkaround rule” that would let additional employee, employer and third‑party representatives accompany inspectors during workplace inspections. The draft mirrors the federal OSHA rule but expands representation...

By National Law Review – Employment Law
Home Depot Faces Lawsuit Alleging FMLA Retaliation and Race Discrimination
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Home Depot Faces Lawsuit Alleging FMLA Retaliation and Race Discrimination

A former Home Depot sales associate in Philadelphia has filed a federal lawsuit accusing the retailer of retaliating for his request for intermittent FMLA leave and of race discrimination. The complaint alleges that a store manager referenced the employee’s epilepsy...

By HRD (Human Capital Magazine) US
Worker Sues Red Bull, Says HR Brushed Off His Racial Bias Complaints
NewsFeb 16, 2026

Worker Sues Red Bull, Says HR Brushed Off His Racial Bias Complaints

Former Red Bull sales manager Jywaun Williams filed a federal lawsuit on Feb. 15, alleging he was fired because of his race and for reporting racial bias. Williams claims his supervisor repeatedly used the term “boy,” treated him differently from...

By HRD (Human Capital Magazine) US