From Access to Impact: How Merge Forward Is Building a More Inclusive Future for Open Source
The Cloud Native Computing Foundation’s Merge Forward program, launched less than a year ago, now unites seven underrepresented diversity groups and more than 300 engineers. It offers mentorship, proposal workshops, and accessibility sessions to help newcomers make their first open‑source contributions. Participants have leveraged the program to secure speaking slots at KubeCon and to transition from isolated coding to public advocacy. The initiative positions inclusive talent as a core driver of open‑source sustainability.
DOJ Eliminates Disparate-Impact Liability Under Title VI
On December 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a final rule that eliminates disparate‑impact liability under Title VI, limiting enforcement to intentional discrimination only. The rule rescinds several CFR provisions that previously barred neutral policies with disproportionate effects on...
AI Companies Lick Their Chops as FCC Proposes Forcing Call Center Onshoring
The FCC voted to draft rules that would limit the share of customer‑service calls handled by foreign call centers, effectively forcing a degree of onshoring for telecom, cable and wireless providers. The proposal also requires notifying callers when agents are...
LinkedIn and INVNT Launch AI Skills Sprint Sydney for Recruiters
LinkedIn partnered with experiential agency INVNT to host a four‑day AI Skills Sprint in Sydney, drawing over 270 talent‑acquisition leaders. The immersive event showcased LinkedIn’s AI‑powered Hiring Assistant through live demos, prompt‑engineering challenges, and AI myth‑busting exercises. Participants reported an...
DoD IT Leaders Push ‘Smarter Not Harder’ Enterprise Cyber Workforce System
Defense Department IT leaders are urging the Pentagon to replace fragmented service‑level cyber workforce tools with a single enterprise system. Senior officials from the Marine Corps, Army and Air Force highlighted that current separate platforms duplicate effort, hinder talent mobility,...
Fired Worker Sues Employer over Supervisor's Alleged White Supremacist Tattoos
Legna Soto filed a federal lawsuit against Everglades Equipment Group, alleging she was terminated after reporting her supervisor's overt white supremacist tattoos and racist behavior. She claims supervisor Charles Russell displayed an "SS lightning bolts" tattoo and a "white supremacist...
Former VP Sues Axos Bank, Claims HR Ignored Her Harassment Reports
Former Axos Bank vice president Breanna Baldridge filed a federal lawsuit alleging that the bank’s HR department ignored her reports of pay discrimination, harassment, and disability‑association discrimination before terminating her. She claims her male supervisor pressured her to alter her...
Federal Court Revives Retaliation Claim over Atlanta Cop's Stripped Flextime
The Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals revived a retaliation claim by Atlanta police lieutenant Terry Joyner after his flexible schedule was abruptly revoked following a whistleblower complaint. The court held that removing an informal flextime arrangement—known to management and tied...
DC Court Upholds DOL Penalties Against Landscaper for H-2B Worker Violations
A U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., upheld Department of Labor penalties against Maryland landscaper C.S. Lawn & Landscape for multiple H‑2B visa program violations, including wage underpayment, uniform overcharges, and illegal worker housing. The DOL ordered $36,000 in back...
USAID Officer's Discrimination and Retaliation Claims Survive Dismissal Bid
Former USAID Foreign Service Education Development Officer Janet Thomas filed six claims after her 2019 termination. A D.C. federal judge trimmed the case but allowed the core Title VII allegations of racial discrimination and retaliation to proceed. The court found the...
Award of Excellence Winner Judaline Cassidy: Empowering Girls to Consider Careers in Construction
Judaline Cassidy, a 25‑year‑old New York City plumber, became the first female plumber hired by Duo Heating and Plumbing after proving her skills on a one‑day trial. Despite initial ridicule from a foreman, she demonstrated competence, earning full‑time employment. ENR recognized...
Today’s Equal Pay Day. Women and Men Still Disagree About Who Has More Economic Opportunities
A new AP‑NORC poll reveals a stark perception gap: about 60% of full‑time women say men have more opportunities for competitive wages, while only 40% of full‑time men share that view. The survey also shows that roughly one‑third of women...
First Circuit Rejects Per Se Rule that Performance Improvement Plans Automatically Qualify as Adverse Employment Actions
The First Circuit ruled that placing an employee on a performance improvement plan (PIP) does not automatically constitute an adverse employment action under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act or Title VII. The court emphasized that a fact‑intensive inquiry is required,...
'Empathetic' Salesforce Bots to Help Those Fired by Uncaring Humans
Salesforce is deploying its Agentforce AI bots to the U.S. Department of Labor’s national call centre, automating triage for unemployment insurance, OSHA, Job Corps and other programs that generate roughly 2.8 million cases annually. Built on the FedRAMP‑certified Government Cloud and...
New York City Proposes Bill That Sets Higher Minimum Wages and Eliminates Tip Credits
The New York City Council introduced Bill Int. No. 757, proposing a city‑wide minimum wage that outpaces the state level and climbs to $30 per hour for large employers by 2030, with smaller firms reaching $27‑$29 per hour. The plan phases in automatic cost‑of‑living adjustments...
New School Faculty React to Plans to Lay Off 15% of Workforce
The New School announced plans to lay off 15% of its full‑time faculty and staff by mid‑June, citing a projected $48 million deficit tied to a roughly 20% decline in student enrollment since 2021. Earlier voluntary buyouts in December and early...
New York’s Residential Building Workers Union Sets Strike Vote
Members of the 32BJ SEIU, representing 34,000 residential building workers in New York City, voted to authorize a strike on April 15 after their four‑year contract expires on April 20. More than 2,000 members approved the vote, signaling strong support...
Union Push to Make APS Bosses Expand WFH to Mitigate Petrol Price Shock
Australian public service unions are urging the Albanese government and APS leadership to increase work‑from‑home days as petrol prices spike. The demand comes amid a national fuel shortage and rising costs that threaten employee commuting expenses. Unions have raised the...
Data Center Poaching Adds to Staffing Crisis
Uptime Institute’s latest research reveals a deepening data‑center staffing crisis, with 46% of operators reporting difficulty finding qualified talent and 37% struggling to retain existing staff. Poaching accounts for roughly a quarter of departures, while the industry faces a looming...
My Colleagues Disappear for Hours at a Time. What Should I Do?
A small team member notices coworkers frequently disappearing for hours, sometimes without explanation, prompting concerns about hidden workplace hierarchies. The article advises a respectful, direct inquiry to clarify absences while noting the risks of breaching tacit cultural norms. It stresses...
The Hidden Risks of Promoting Unprepared Leaders in Construction
Construction firms are promoting high‑performing tradespeople into supervisory roles to fill gaps caused by a tightening labor market, yet many lack formal leadership training. This mismatch can create new skill vacancies on the job site, lower overall productivity, and trigger...
NPS Hiring Seasonal Rangers
After a year‑long hiring freeze, the Interior Department has authorized the National Park Service to recruit seasonal interpretive rangers for nine‑month assignments this summer. A recent USAJobs posting suggests about 200 positions will be filled, though the agency has not...
Thordon Bearings Makes Two Key Appointments
Thordon Bearings announced two strategic appointments: Anthony Hamilton as Vice President of Engineering and Product Development for the Thomson‑Gordon Group, and Martin Linder as Merchant Fleet Marine Business Development Manager for Northern Europe. Both hires aim to expand the company’s...
Solicitor Claims He Was Left ‘Firefighting’ as Staff Left over Being Denied Working From Home
Solicitor Joseph McNally is suing Ferrys Solicitors LLP for an alleged sham redundancy after his Dublin practice was merged into the firm in early 2023. McNally claims staff left the Ballymun office when remote‑work requests were denied, forcing him into "firefighting" to retain upset...
Your Company Could Be Hooked On This Negative Motivation Pattern — Here’s How to Fix It
The article warns that many companies operate on a dopamine‑driven “reward‑now” model that fuels urgency but erodes deep focus, creativity and sustainable performance. It contrasts this with a serotonin‑based culture that emphasizes connection, deep work, and steady satisfaction, citing examples...
Employee Hiring Referrals Can Trigger Hidden Biases
Employee referrals remain a popular hiring tool, but new research from the University of Maryland and Texas Christian University reveals a hidden "referral penalty." Even when referred candidates clear rigorous interviews and outperform peers, coworkers often view them as less...
Lendingplate Announces 40.5 Lakh ESOPs to Strengthen Employee Ownership
LendingPlate, the digital‑first lending arm of Unifinz Capital India, announced the grant of 40.5 lakh (4,050,000) employee stock options under its UCIL ESOP 2025 scheme. Each option carries a face value of Rs 10 (≈ $0.12) and can be exercised at the same price,...
The 4-Conversation Playbook I Use to Retain Top Talent During AI Disruption
Leaders facing AI-driven change risk losing their strongest employees unless they provide clear direction, purpose, and trust. The article outlines a four‑conversation playbook—covering strategic direction, individual relevance, ownership boundaries, and personal benefit—to keep top talent engaged. By articulating why AI...
Why Team Appreciation Gifts Help Build a Positive Workplace Culture
The article explains how small team appreciation gifts—especially pecan snack boxes, pies, and chocolate treats—boost workplace culture by making employees feel valued, fostering informal connections, and turning recognition into memorable experiences. It highlights that thoughtful, varied treats create inclusive moments,...
A View From: Growing the Next Generation of Leaders in International Education
Leaders in international education are increasingly recognising that their talent pipelines focus too heavily on student recruitment while neglecting internal leadership development. The article argues that structured programmes, especially modern apprenticeships, provide a formal, inclusive route to equip managers with...
BiznusSoft HR Named Preferred Certified Payroll Software Provider by LCPtracker for Automated Reporting and Compliance
BiznusSoft announced that its HR platform has been named a Preferred Alliance Payroll Provider by LCPtracker, the leading certified‑payroll compliance tool for public‑sector construction projects. The Salesforce‑native solution now offers one‑click generation of LCPtracker‑ready payroll files, automating Davis‑Bacon and prevailing‑wage...
Endologix to Close Production Facility, Lay Off 31 People
Endologix announced the closure of its Milpitas, California production facility, resulting in 31 layoffs. The plant was acquired in 2021 when Endologix bought PQ Bypass, adding the Detour peripheral arterial disease device to its portfolio. Layoffs will occur primarily on...
The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors: Annual Report on Recruiting, Deals, and Transitions
Diamond Consultants released its 2025 Advisor Transition Report, revealing a sharp increase in advisor mobility. In 2025, 11,172 experienced advisors changed firms, a 16% jump from 2024’s 9,615 moves. The accompanying podcast analyzes drivers such as AI, firm attractiveness, and...
Horizon Media’s New COO Has a Mandate to Kill Billable Hours
Horizon Media has appointed veteran Bhavana Smith as chief operating officer to eliminate billable‑hour billing and pivot toward performance‑based contracts as artificial intelligence reshapes agency economics. The move is part of an early‑stage overhaul that ties compensation directly to client...
Cal State Professors' Retaliation Claims Survive University's Bid to Strike
A California appellate court cleared the way for two tenured physics professors at CSU Chico to pursue retaliation claims, rejecting the university’s attempt to strike the case under the anti‑SLAPP statute. The lawsuit alleges gender and ancestry‑based harassment, a sham...
UK Employment Rights Act 2025 Unfair Dismissal Deep Dive Part 1: Polkey in a World Without Caps
The UK Employment Rights Act 2025 eliminates the statutory cap on compensatory awards for unfair dismissal, raising the previous limit of £118,223 (about $150,000) to an uncapped figure that will rise to roughly $157,000 after April 2026. The basic award...
O.C. Tanner Releases The State of Employee Recognition 2026 Report, Revealing How Recognition Builds High-Performing Teams
O.C. Tanner released its second annual State of Employee Recognition 2026 report, analyzing responses from over 4,200 employees in ten countries. The study finds that integrated, community‑building recognition programs make workers 21 times more invested and 25 times more likely...
Signs Your Work Environment Is Toxic and How to Improve It
Workplace toxicity manifests through rising burnout, absenteeism, and disengagement, ultimately driving higher turnover. HR leaders can detect these patterns by monitoring absenteeism rates, engagement scores, and employee feedback on workflow inefficiencies. Implementing mental‑health programs, encouraging open dialogue with leadership, and...
Deel Adds an ATS
Deel has made its applicant tracking system generally available, embedding it directly into its existing HRIS platform. The integrated ATS extends beyond traditional recruiting tools by covering the entire hiring workflow through offer and onboarding stages. By consolidating recruiting and...
Marathon Settles $9M Class Action over Unpaid On-Call Refinery Shifts
Marathon Refining Logistics Services settled a $9 million class action over unpaid on‑call “Primary Relief” shifts affecting 748 operators and lab workers at its Los Angeles refinery. The practice required employees to stay available for two‑hour windows without pay unless called in,...
EEOC Sues Nonprofit for Allegedly Rejecting Deaf Applicant over Disability
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit on March 24 against Indiana nonprofit Damar Services, alleging it rejected a deaf applicant for a housekeeping role after learning of his disability. The EEOC claims Damar’s phone‑screen guide asked about hearing and...
Required Roth Catch-Up Contributions for 2026
The Secure 2.0 Act mandates that employees whose prior‑year FICA wages exceed $145,000 must make catch‑up contributions to 401(k), 403(b) or 457 plans as designated Roth contributions beginning in taxable years after December 31 2025. A two‑year administrative transition postpones enforcement until after...
Fred Media Recruits Amazon MGM Alum
Fred Media has appointed Jamie I as its new sales manager for the Asia‑Pacific region, bringing over 20 years of distribution experience from her previous role as VP of Asia‑Pacific at Amazon MGM. She replaces long‑time representative Jimmy Elkington, who...
Hand Picked Hotels Appoints Two New GMs
Hand Picked Hotels announced the appointment of two seasoned general managers: Carl Lynch at Rhinefield House Hotel in the New Forest and Daniel Courtney at Buxted Park Hotel in East Sussex. Both bring over a decade of senior hospitality experience,...
Real Estate Balance Publishes Key Points to Drive Female Leadership Progression
Real Estate Balance (REB) released an eight‑point framework aimed at accelerating mid‑career women into senior leadership roles within the built‑environment sector. The recommendations were distilled from a REB event where 55 senior leaders—47% women—provided input, and 25 member organisations, including...
The Real Issue Isn’t Getting Girls Into Tech, It’s Helping Them See They Belong
The UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology announced a package that creates 300 new tech roles, introduces returnships for women re‑entering the workforce, and launches a national competition to inspire school‑age girls. Veteran tech leader Padmasini Dayananda argues that...
Ethical Implications of Using AI in Hiring
AI-driven hiring tools promise efficiency but risk embedding human biases into recruitment decisions. The article explains how cognitive biases translate into algorithmic bias when historical data reflects discrimination, and why removing explicit protected attributes is insufficient. It highlights the EU...
The Best HCM Integrations: APIs, Flat Files or Hybrid?
Companies rolling out new HCM platforms face a choice between traditional flat‑file transfers and modern API‑driven connections. Flat files, moved via SFTP, offer simplicity and reliability for legacy benefits carriers that still demand nightly 834 batches. APIs provide real‑time employee...
Navigating the HR Tech Marketplace with an ROI-First Approach
The HR technology landscape now includes a sprawling array of solutions, from comprehensive HRIS platforms to niche tools for recruiting, engagement surveys, and outsourced services. Vendors compete across dozens of categories, making selection increasingly complex for talent leaders. The article...
Natural Grocers to Host Virtual Hiring Event for Nutritional Health Coaches Nationwide
Natural Grocers announced a virtual hiring event on April 1, 2026 to fill more than 30 Nutritional Health Coach positions across its 169 stores. The four‑hour online session, running 10 a.m.–2 p.m. MST, will let candidates meet recruiters, learn about the company’s...