News•Feb 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 state workers’ compensation law. Evidence of close, mask‑free interactions and multiple coworker infections convinced the court that the workplace was the source of exposure. The ruling reinforces a growing legal framework that holds employers liable for pandemic‑related workplace outbreaks.
By HRD (Human Capital Magazine) US
News•Feb 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
News•Feb 12, 2026
Subba Rao Joins Vertex Group as Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer
Subba Rao Bhairavabhatla joins Vertex Group as co‑founder and chief growth officer after four years at Teleperformance. He brings two decades of process excellence, quality, and digital transformation experience from Asian Paints, HSBC, Wipro, Capita, WNS and Teleperformance. At Vertex,...
By HR Katha (India)
News•Feb 12, 2026
JPMorgan’s 5-Day Office Rule Faces Tepid Pushback as Employee Petition Gains Support
In March 2025 JPMorgan Chase instituted a strict five‑day‑in‑office requirement, ending the hybrid work model that many employees had adopted during the pandemic. An internal petition opposing the rule has drawn roughly 2,000 signatures out of a global workforce of...
By HR Katha (India)
News•Feb 12, 2026
Six Flags Hiring for More than 50,000 Jobs Across US Parks
Six Flags announced a National Hiring Week from Feb. 14‑22, targeting more than 50,000 part‑time and seasonal positions across its U.S. parks. The rollout covers roles in rides, food and beverage, admissions, entertainment, retail, security, EMT services and lifeguarding. Applicants...
By Blooloop — Theme Parks
News•Feb 12, 2026
Singapore Budget 2026: Key Highlights for HR Leaders, Employers, and Employees
Singapore’s 2026 Budget, delivered by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, projects growth slowing to 2‑4% and introduces a suite of measures to keep the city‑state competitive. For employers, the budget raises the minimum qualifying salary for new Employment Passes to $6,000...
By Human Resources Online (Asia)
News•Feb 12, 2026
HDFC Bank Staffer Issues Clarification After Viral Video Triggers Caste Row
An HDFC Bank relationship manager in Kanpur, Astha Singh, issued a clarification after a viral video showed her repeatedly stating her caste during a heated internal dispute. Singh says the footage, recorded on January 6, captures only a fragment of...
By HR Katha (India)
News•Feb 12, 2026
Elevating the Next Generation of Senior Leadership Through New Rise Initiative
Rise Broadcast has launched Elevate, a six‑week leadership accelerator for women in mid‑level broadcast and media‑technology roles. The hybrid programme, running in June and July, combines virtual and in‑person sessions, expert‑led skill training, real‑world challenges, and mentorship from senior industry...
By TVBEurope
News•Feb 12, 2026
Former Walgreens IT Director Sues over Firing After Bias Complaint
Former Walgreens IT director Sachin Sangamnerkar filed a federal lawsuit alleging he was fired after reporting racial and national‑origin discrimination. He claims a hostile work environment intensified following his HR complaint, including micromanagement and exclusion from meetings. The suit cites...
By HRD (Human Capital Magazine) US
News•Feb 12, 2026
HR Job Demand Lags 20% Behind Pre-Pandemic Levels
A new SHRM report shows active HR job postings have fallen to 78% of their February 2020 levels, a drop of more than 20%, even as HR employment rose roughly 16% through September 2025. The decline is linked to economic pressure, rapid...
By HRD (Human Capital Magazine) US
News•Feb 12, 2026
Girija Kolagada Is Country Manager-India and VP-HRBP for APAC, Progress Software
Progress Software announced Girija Kolagada as country manager‑India and vice‑president of HR business partnering for APAC. Kolagada, a former ISRO scientist with more than two decades in technology, most recently served as vice‑president of engineering at Progress Chef. In her...
By HR Katha (India)
News•Feb 12, 2026
Thailand’s Ministry of Labour Rolls Out Vocational Training Programme
Thailand’s Ministry of Labour has launched a free nationwide vocational training programme aimed at informal and vulnerable workers, with a focus on culinary skills for the service and tourism sectors. The initiative, announced on 21 January 2026, provides a daily...
By Human Resources Online (Asia)
News•Feb 12, 2026
UBS to Cut 3,000 Swiss Jobs, Hire in India
UBS announced it will cut approximately 3,000 jobs in Switzerland later this year as it continues to integrate Credit Suisse. Simultaneously, the bank plans to create a comparable number of positions in Hyderabad, India, aiming to double its headcount there....
By HR Katha (India)
News•Feb 11, 2026
New Mandated Reporter Requirements for the Entertainment Industry in California
Effective Jan 1 2026, California AB 653 (CAMERA) expands mandated‑reporter duties to talent agents, managers and coaches who work with minors. These individuals must report suspected child abuse under CANRA, with failure constituting a misdemeanor. Employers in the entertainment sector must treat this...
By National Law Review – Employment Law
News•Feb 11, 2026
Nevada Enacts New Workplace Protections for Employees Exposed to Wildfire Smoke
Nevada’s Senate Bill 260, effective Jan. 1, 2026, requires employers to protect outdoor workers from wildfire‑smoke exposure. Covered firms must create written mitigation programs, monitor Air Quality Index values, train staff in understandable languages, and set up two‑way communication for AQI alerts...
By National Law Review – Employment Law
News•Feb 11, 2026
Transitioning Remote Employees Back to the Office: 7 Key Insights for Global Employers
Employers worldwide are reassessing remote‑work policies, aiming to bring staff back to physical offices after years of pandemic‑induced flexibility. While U.S. at‑will employment permits unilateral mandates, many international jurisdictions treat long‑term remote work as an implied contractual term, requiring employee...
By National Law Review – Employment Law
News•Feb 11, 2026
Florida and Texas AGs Issue Sweeping Anti-DEI Opinions on MLK Day
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued coordinated opinions declaring that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs violate equal‑protection guarantees. Both opinions lean on the Supreme Court’s 2023 Students...
By National Law Review – Employment Law
News•Feb 11, 2026
Delaware Supreme Court Says Employer Can Enforce Restrictive Covenants After Revoking Ex-Employee’s Equity
The Delaware Supreme Court reversed a Chancery ruling and held that consideration for restrictive covenants is measured at the time the agreement is signed, not when it is enforced. In North American Fire Ultimate Holdings v. Doorly, the court affirmed...
By National Law Review – Employment Law
News•Feb 11, 2026
Medicare Fraud Reporting: Whistleblower Program Overview and Common Questions
The Medicare whistleblower program, grounded in the False Claims Act, allows private citizens to file qui‑tam lawsuits exposing fraudulent Medicare claims. Successful relators receive a share of recoveries, which have totaled tens of billions of dollars, while the government gains...
By National Law Review – Employment Law
News•Feb 11, 2026
Northern California Workplace Investigations Workshop
The Northern California Workplace Investigations Workshop offers HR, labor relations and in‑house counsel a half‑day, in‑person training on conducting lawful, defensible investigations. Participants will learn to design investigative plans, gather evidence, interview witnesses, handle privileged matters and social‑media issues, and...
By Littler – Insights/News
News•Feb 11, 2026
A New Addition to PTO: Heartbreak Leave
A recent Zety survey finds that one in three employees believes companies should offer dedicated “heartbreak leave” and many have already taken time off after a breakup. Younger workers, especially Gen Z and millennials, are most eager for the benefit, with...
By Employee Benefit News
News•Feb 11, 2026
When the Recruiter Stops Believing the Culture (and Candidates Can Tell)
The article defines "cultural drift" as the gap between a company’s proclaimed values and the behaviors that actually emerge, often surfacing after growth, re‑orgs, or leadership changes. Recruiters, as the first human touchpoint for candidates, notice this drift early, sensing...
By ERE
News•Feb 11, 2026
Empathy Engineer: Is This the £110k Job of Your Dreams?
The tech sector is inventing high‑paying roles such as empathy engineer, a position that blends social, cultural and emotional insights with technology design and can command salaries up to £110,000. A Tide survey found that 80% of British job seekers...
By The Guardian – Work & careers
News•Feb 11, 2026
Littler Lightbulb – January 2026 Appellate Roundup
The January 2026 appellate roundup highlights several pivotal employment‑law decisions. The Ninth Circuit reversed a district court, holding that any amount of entertainment work qualifies a production company for the Multi‑employer Pension Plan Amendments Act exemption. The Fifth Circuit affirmed...
By Littler – Insights/News
News•Feb 11, 2026
IRS Roundup- January 21 – February 9, 2026
The IRS issued several key updates between Jan 21 and Feb 9, 2026, including Notice 2026‑9 extending the deadline for IRA and pension plan amendments to Dec 31 2027, and Fact Sheet 2026‑2 outlining the rollout of fully electronic federal payments under Executive Order 14247. It opened applications...
By National Law Review – Employment Law
News•Feb 11, 2026
Conducting Criminal Background Checks? What the Phath Decision Means for Employers
The Pennsylvania Third Circuit in Phath v. Central Transport clarified that the Criminal History Record Information Act (CHRIA) applies whenever an employer considers criminal history, even if the applicant volunteers the information. Employers must now evaluate any disclosed conviction for...
By PA Labor & Employment Blog
News•Feb 11, 2026
Report Reveals a Lack of Awareness and Poor Career Advice Is Impacting Apprenticeship Uptake
The In‑Comm Training Annual Barometer, surveying over 350 16‑ to 21‑year‑olds, shows apprenticeship consideration slipping to 80%, a 9% drop. More than half of respondents (54%) admit they know no local schemes, and only a third trust the government understands...
By Employer News (UK)
News•Feb 11, 2026
Rising Health Costs Outpace Social Security for Retirees
Health inflation is projected at 5.8% annually, more than double the 2.4% Social Security cost‑of‑living adjustment. Medicare Part B and Advantage premiums jumped 9.7% for 2026, while Part D drug premiums have risen 50% since the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. The widening...
By Employee Benefit News
News•Feb 11, 2026
$15K to Land a Job? What HR Can Make of ‘Reverse Recruiting’
Job seekers are increasingly paying reverse‑recruiting firms anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $15,000 to have professionals apply, optimize resumes and network on their behalf. Executive‑level packages cost $10,000‑$15,000 for candidates targeting $200K‑$400K salaries, while mid‑tier services charge...
By Human Resource Executive
News•Feb 11, 2026
How HR Leaders Can Turn Pharmacy Transparency Into Real Leverage
The article explains why pharmacy‑benefit transparency has become a critical governance issue for HR leaders and outlines the hidden levers employers can use to improve cost control and participant outcomes. It highlights the complexity of PBM contracts, geographic fragmentation, and...
By Human Resource Executive
News•Feb 11, 2026
Trade Union Reforms Under Employment Rights Act 2025 Set To Take Effect
The Employment Rights Act 2025’s first phase takes effect on 18 February 2026, introducing major trade‑union reforms. It switches political fund contributions to an opt‑out system while preserving existing opt‑outs. The Act also removes certain public‑sector reporting duties and streamlines industrial‑action notice requirements,...
By Employer News (UK)
News•Feb 11, 2026
Why Now Is the Best Time to Re-Engage Employers
The post‑open enrollment window is a critical period for benefits brokers to re‑engage employer clients and translate enrollment insights into actionable strategy for 2026. Employers are pressuring brokers to control rising healthcare costs while employees face mounting financial stress from...
By Employee Benefit News
News•Feb 11, 2026
HCML Appoints Kathryn Goldfinch as Commercial Director
HCML, a leading corporate health and wellbeing provider, has appointed Kathryn Goldfinch as Commercial Director for Corporate and Insured Health. Goldfinch brings nearly three decades of experience from senior roles at Bupa, Nuffield Health and Doctor Care Anywhere, most recently...
By Employer News (UK)
News•Feb 11, 2026
UK Organisations Could Unlock £40bn a Year in Productivity Value by Closing the AI “Grey Zone”
Zellis’ new research shows UK organisations could unlock up to £40 billion a year in productivity and an additional £20 billion in operating‑cost savings by better aligning AI use between leaders and employees. While 94 % of executives say AI tools are deployed,...
By Employer News (UK)
News•Feb 11, 2026
HR Expert Explains Why Hybrid Working Must Be Led as a Culture, Not a Policy
Max Moen, Haypp’s Head of People and Culture, argues that hybrid work must be driven by culture rather than a static policy. He emphasizes that flexibility should serve employee energy cycles and wellbeing, especially during low‑energy periods. Effective hybrid models...
By Employer News (UK)
News•Feb 11, 2026
Wednesday Briefing: Why the Debate over Working From Home Says More About Inequality than Productivity
Hybrid working has become the norm in post‑pandemic Britain, but its benefits are unevenly distributed. While many employers tout flexibility to attract talent, lower‑paid workers and those in deprived regions still lack remote options. Politician Nigel Farage recently called for...
By The Guardian – Work & careers
News•Feb 10, 2026
New Jersey Expands Rights Under the New Jersey Family Leave Act
On January 17, 2026 Governor Phil Murphy signed Assembly Bill 3451, expanding the New Jersey Family Leave Act (NJFLA). The law lowers the employer coverage threshold from 30 to 15 employees and reduces employee eligibility to three months of service...
By National Law Review – Employment Law
News•Feb 10, 2026
When Employee Misconduct Becomes Marketplace Deception: Court Clarifies Chapter 93A’s Reach
The U.S. District Court for Massachusetts held that Chapter 93A does not cover routine employment disputes but can apply when an employee secretly competes using the employer’s resources and brand. In CMTA, Inc. v. Dussault, the court allowed the unfair‑practice claim...
By National Law Review – Employment Law
News•Feb 10, 2026
California Employment News: California AB 692 Cuts Back “Stay or Pay” Contracts with Workers
California Assembly Bill 692 curtails the use of “stay or pay” provisions that require employees to remain employed or reimburse training costs. The law mandates that any repayment terms be narrowly limited to actual training expenses and be disclosed in...
By The Labor & Employment Law Blog (California)
News•Feb 10, 2026
How Employees Can Use LSAs to Pay for Groceries and Other Basic Needs
Employers are turning to Lifestyle Spending Accounts (LSAs) to let staff use benefit funds for everyday needs like groceries, childcare and health services. Data from benefits platform Compt shows 64% of partner firms now use LSAs as their primary benefit,...
By Employee Benefit News
News•Feb 10, 2026
New Leadership at Target, Walmart and Bridgestone West Focus on Employee Connection
New CEOs at Walmart (John Furner) and Target (Michael Fiddelke) and Bridgestone West’s chief people officer (Michele Herlein) are launching people‑first campaigns that prioritize frontline listening and direct employee engagement. Furner began with a company‑wide memo and store visits, while...
By Employee Benefit News
News•Feb 10, 2026
Why Some Founders in Startup Accelerators Do Better Than Others
Startup accelerators boost growth but outcomes vary dramatically, according to a new Strategic Management Journal study of 6,723 firms in 280 programs. The research shows founders' pre‑entry knowledge—education, industry experience, and prior ventures—drives revenue, headcount, and funding gains, with high‑knowledge...
By Wharton Knowledge
News•Feb 10, 2026
Hand Gestures Can Help You Sell. Here’s Why
Wharton professor Jonah Berger and colleagues examined how hand gestures shape persuasive communication, using an automated video‑analysis system on 200,000 TED Talk segments. They grouped gestures into unrelated, highlighters and illustrators, discovering that illustrators most strongly increase audience understanding and perceived...
By Wharton Knowledge
News•Feb 10, 2026
London Board Game Bar Draughts Faces Employment Tribunal Over Dismissal of Kitchen Worker
London board‑game bar Draughts will appear before an employment tribunal on 12–13 February after dismissing kitchen worker Awed, a Sudanese national and UVW union member, the day a strike ballot was announced. The company cited reduced staffing needs, while the...
By Employer News (UK)
News•Feb 10, 2026
Title IX Preempts Public University Labor Contract Grievance Procedure, According to New Jersey Supreme Court
The New Jersey Supreme Court held that Title IX preempts the grievance and arbitration provisions in Rutgers University’s labor contract with AFSCME Local 888, overturning a lower‑court order to arbitrate a termination dispute. The court found the contract’s arbitration process denied the Title IX...
By Littler – Insights/News
News•Feb 10, 2026
The HR–IT Debate in the Age of AI: Cooperation or Consolidation?
AI is reshaping the relationship between HR and IT, prompting record collaboration and even the creation of a new C‑suite title, chief productivity officer, that combines people and technology oversight. Leaders argue that merging the functions can speed decisions and...
By Human Resource Executive
News•Feb 10, 2026
EBSA Enforcement Efforts Yield $1.4 Billion in Recoveries
The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) recovered $1.4 billion for retirement, health and welfare plans in fiscal year 2025, a modest increase over the prior year but below the 2023 peak. EBSA closed 878 civil and 253 criminal...
By Human Resource Executive
News•Feb 10, 2026
The Bionic Storyteller: How AI Can Amplify HR’s Human Voice
HR leaders in 2026 face mounting pressure from layoffs, cost cuts and rapid AI deployment, yet the core challenge remains preserving trust and connection. The article proposes the “Bionic Storyteller” framework, positioning AI as a memory scaffold that captures, aligns,...
By Human Resource Executive
News•Feb 10, 2026
Popeyes UK Crowns Carnival Jackpot Winner at Mardi Gras–Themed Annual Workforce Awards
Popeyes UK staged a Mardi Gras‑themed awards night in London, unveiling the winner of its Carnival Jackpot incentive. The program, launched in 2025, awarded tokens to over 230 managers based on sales and mystery‑shop scores, culminating in a two‑year Tusker electric‑vehicle...
By Employer News (UK)
News•Feb 10, 2026
Health Savings Accounts Gain Popularity as Investment Vehicles
Health savings accounts (HSAs) are increasingly being used as investment vehicles, with 4 million accounts – about 10% of all HSAs – holding invested assets, a 23% year‑over‑year rise. Total HSA assets grew 16% to $159 billion, and investment‑linked assets now represent...
By Employee Benefit News