6 Recommendations for PBM Procurement and Rx Benefits Optimization
The 2026 pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) RFP season is shaping up to be one of the most consequential for employers, driven by sweeping state and federal reforms and soaring healthcare costs. Nearly two‑thirds of plan sponsors are already considering alternatives to the traditional "Big 3" PBMs, while specialty drugs now represent about 50% of pharmacy spend. The article outlines six strategic recommendations—including valuing drug mix, embracing biosimilars, and preparing for lower rebate environments—to help fiduciaries balance benefit quality with cost control. Early, data‑driven procurement is presented as the key to meeting fiduciary duties and member needs.
Hardship Withdrawals Hit Record High, Underscoring Retirement Risks
Vanguard reports a record 6% of 401(k) participants took hardship withdrawals in 2025, with a median payout of $1,900 and many making multiple taps. This marks the sixth consecutive year of growth in early‑retirement cashouts, signaling widening financial strain among...
March 2026 Labor Market Update: How Women Have Closed the Other Workforce Gender Gap
The latest Indeed Labor Market Update shows that the historic male‑female employment gap has vanished, with women now holding slightly more nonfarm jobs than men as of early 2026. Over the past two years, women added roughly 298,000 jobs while...
Laudio and AONL Report Reveals Distinct Expectations and Work Patterns Among Gen Z in the Healthcare Workforce
The Laudio and AONL Spring 2026 report, based on a national dataset of nearly 100,000 RNs, shows Generation Z is the fastest‑growing nursing cohort and the only one still expanding. Gen Z nurses demand 2.5 times more frequent, meaningful manager interactions and...
Faces of HR: Why Carolyn Archibald Traded the Bar for the HR Suite
Carolyn Archibald, formerly a legal secretary and office manager, now serves as Director of Human Resources at Burke, Williams & Sorensen, a California law firm with over 250 staff across ten offices. After earning a master’s in HR management, she...
Why Top Executive Hires Fail and How to Fix It
Boards are increasingly aware that most failed executive hires stem from flawed board‑level decisions rather than the individual’s abilities. Common missteps include hiring based on résumé prestige, relying on familiar networks, underestimating cultural and stakeholder complexity, rushing the process, and...
Blue-Collar Salaries Outpace White-Collar Entry-Level Jobs: Report
A WorkIndia report shows India’s blue‑collar minimum wages jumped 8.6% year‑on‑year to roughly $185, outpacing entry‑level white‑collar salaries that rose only 6.75% to about $190. Operational roles such as delivery and driver jobs saw the steepest gains, up 16% (≈$260),...
Liberia: Workers Resign Amid Alleged HR Abuses At Bea Mountain Mining
Multiple employees at Bea Mountain Mining Corporation resigned, accusing the firm’s human‑resource officer of unprofessional conduct and a hostile workplace. The complaints also allege mishandling of documentation for foreign staff, raising concerns about compliance with Liberia’s labor and immigration rules....
Outplacement Leader Offers Candidates ‘Golden’ Interview Tips Amid Crowded Job Market
UK unemployment has risen to 5.2%, leaving roughly 726,000 vacancies and intensifying competition for job seekers. INTOO, an outplacement specialist, is urging candidates to adopt the STAR method, skills audits and values analysis as "golden" interview tips. The firm also...
Nearly One in Eight Employers Does Not Provide Sexual Harassment Training, as Key Employment Rights Act Deadline Arrives
A March poll of 464 UK HR professionals reveals a gap between intent and action on sexual harassment prevention under the upcoming Employment Rights Act (ERA) requirements. While 81% plan to increase efforts, only 5% rate current training as excellent...
Innovation, Insight and Industry Leaders to Unite at HR Technologies UK 2026
HR Technologies UK 2026 will convene senior HR and People leaders at Excel London on April 29‑30 for its largest edition yet. The two‑day event will feature around 100 exhibitors, including Oracle, Workday, Sage and fast‑growth innovators showcasing AI‑driven recruitment,...
Why Work Feels Better Together
The Science of Happiness episode released March 26, 2026 explores how collective work models boost employee engagement and organizational success. It features Nino Serrano and Jenabi Pareja of Understory, a worker‑owned restaurant in Oakland, and Niloufar Khonsari of Pangea Legal Services, a...
Parents of Singaporean Babies Born From 1 April 2026 to Get up to 10 Weeks’ Shared Parental Leave Under Enhanced...
Effective 1 April 2026 Singapore will expand its parental‑leave framework, allowing eligible parents up to 10 weeks of shared parental leave (SPL) on top of 16 weeks of government‑paid maternity leave and four weeks of paternity leave. The total paid leave entitlement rises to...
British Airways To Offer Pilots Bonus For Burning Less Fuel: Smart Or Risky?
British Airways will introduce a pilot incentive program that offers up to a 1% bonus on basic salary if collective fuel‑burn reductions meet a target of 60,000 tonnes of CO₂ below 2025 levels, slated to begin in 2027 after a...
IWD Voices: Hilary Badger – ‘It’s Only When Leadership Looks Different That Real Change Happens’
Hilary Badger, a branding leader in Asia, reflects on a career without female supervisors and urges companies to diversify leadership. She highlights how caregiving responsibilities limit women’s leadership pipelines and how perception of commitment hampers advancement. Badger’s “‘Til It’s Done”...
Are Online Platforms Destroying Networking?
A recent Express Employment survey of 504 Canadian hiring managers and 502 job seekers finds networking is increasingly viewed as a business transaction. Seventy percent of managers and 76% of candidates say online platforms make interactions feel more transactional, while...
Hiring: Why It’s So Slow and What Might Speed It Up
A GoodTime survey of 504 senior talent‑acquisition leaders found that 90% of companies missed their hiring goals, with AI‑generated fake candidates identified as the top hiring threat for 2026. Gartner warns that AI has turned recruiting into an arms race,...
Wall Street Bonuses Hit an All-Time Record in 2025—But the Outlook for 2026 Is Already Darkening
Wall Street’s securities industry posted a record $49.2 billion bonus pool in 2025, a 9% rise over the prior year, while average bonuses climbed to $246,900. Pretax profits surged 30% to $65.1 billion, driven by strong trading, underwriting and asset‑management fees. Despite...
ITE and BDx Data Centers Partner on Talent Development for Singapore's Digital Infrastructure Sector
The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and BDx Data Centers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create a talent pipeline for Singapore’s digital infrastructure sector. The partnership will give ITE students hands‑on training at BDx’s AI‑ready SIN1 data‑center, embedding...
Asylum-Seeker Health Staff Gain Right to Work in NHS
From 26 March 2026 asylum‑seeking doctors, nurses and other qualified health professionals who have waited at least 12 months for an initial asylum decision will be allowed to work in any role listed on the Appendix Skilled Occupations at RQF level 6 or above,...
Tribunal Rules in Favour of Addison Lee Drivers over Compensation
An employment tribunal in Watford ruled in favour of over 900 Addison Lee drivers, confirming they are workers entitled to minimum wage, holiday pay and other employment rights. The judgment establishes the principles for calculating compensation, which lawyers estimate will...
What Qualities Matter Most in Radio’s Next Generation of Leaders?
Radio Ink surveyed the Top 20 leaders in radio to uncover the traits they deem essential for the next generation of executives. The consensus emphasizes a deep love for radio, strong character, and a blend of creativity, curiosity, and collaboration....
Budapest Boasts Minimal Wage Gaps Between Women and Men
Budapest’s public transport operator BKV announced that its 2025 gender pay analysis shows an average hourly wage gap of –6.8% and a median gap of –7.3%, indicating women earn slightly more than men. Bonus distribution is similarly balanced, with a...
Royal Mail | Are Your Targets Driving Performance - or Encouraging Employee Misdirection?
Royal Mail postal workers allege they were instructed to conceal undelivered mail to make delivery targets appear met. The company defended its performance‑measurement system, but an employee described the practice as embarrassing and deceitful. The claims surfaced alongside a LinkedIn...
IWD Voices: Kaveri Khullar – ‘Confidence Should Not Be a Prerequisite for Participation’
Kaveri Khullar, speaking for International Women’s Day, argues that confidence should emerge from participation rather than be a prerequisite for it. She highlights a persistent gap in female allyship, noting that women often focus on delivering results instead of uplifting...
IWD Voices: Indu Mehta – ‘When Balance Is Maintained, Fairness Becomes Sustainable Rather Than Situational’
Indu Mehta emphasizes that maintaining balance in organizations turns fairness into a sustainable principle rather than a situational response. She argues current workplace policies on harassment and safety are often too rigid, failing to reflect modern women’s lived realities. Mehta...
GM Mexico Workers Face April Strike Deadline in Wage Dispute
SINTTIA, representing nearly 7,000 workers at GM’s Silao plant, has tabled a 10% wage increase for the 2026‑2028 contract after initially demanding 20%. A worker vote is set for April 9‑10, with a strike deadline of April 15 if negotiations stall. Silao...
EDI Needs to Move Past ‘Fashions’, Committee Hears
The Women and Equalities Committee heard that equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives are increasingly treated as corporate fashions rather than strategic imperatives. Experts such as the CIPD chief executive and academics urged a shift toward collective inclusion, cultural change...
Leadership, Not Managers, More Likely To Drive Employees Away, BioSpace Finds
A BioSpace survey of U.S. life‑science professionals shows 15% are looking for new jobs because they are unhappy with company leadership, compared with 9.1% citing dissatisfaction with their direct manager. Respect for CEOs remains flat at roughly 80%, while respect...
Public Contracts to Favour Firms that Deliver Jobs and Apprenticeships
The UK government has introduced new procurement rules requiring firms bidding for public contracts to demonstrate job creation, apprenticeships and local economic benefits. Contracts over £5 million (≈$6.4 million) will be assessed for social‑value commitments, and a Public Interest Test will apply...
Revealed: Women Sell Themselves £9,000 Short Before They Even Apply for Jobs
JobLeads analysis shows UK women apply for jobs with salaries about $11,400 lower than men. Women’s upper salary expectations are $131,500 versus $149,900 for men, a 12% gap. Women also apply to roles with median $77,300 pay compared with $88,800...
ABC Workers Strike, Kyle Strikes with a Lawsuit, and AI-Generated PR Strikes the Wrong Chord
ABC employees ended a historic 24‑hour strike – the broadcaster’s first in 20 years – but negotiations remain unresolved, leaving the threat of further action alive. Meanwhile, radio personality Kyle Sandilands filed a Federal Court suit against ARN, publicly revealing...
Beyond Borders: Labor Law Strategies for Cross-Border Deals
Mayer Brown employment partners Marine Hamon and Pauline Stadler dissect labor‑law challenges in cross‑border transactions between Germany and France. They detail works‑council consultation mandates, statutory timelines, employee‑transfer rules, and confidentiality duties that can shape carve‑outs and asset deals. The lawyers...
Why HR Teams Are Paying Attention to Customer Community Platforms
HR teams are increasingly adopting customer community platforms as strategic tools for employee engagement and brand building. These platforms enable peer‑to‑peer support, centralized knowledge sharing, and real‑time feedback, which boost satisfaction and reduce support costs. Gamified recognition and virtual events...
Why HR Teams Are Turning to Explainer Videos for Clear Internal Communication
HR departments are increasingly adopting short explainer videos to convey policies, benefits, and training material. These videos translate technical or legal language into visual narratives that are easier for diverse workforces to grasp. By keeping content under two minutes, companies...
We’ve Adapted to Hybrid Work. Has Our Infrastructure?
Hybrid work is now entrenched across Asia‑Pacific, but digital friction is eroding productivity. TeamViewer research shows employees lose an average of 1.33 workdays per month, and 42% of firms attribute revenue loss to IT inefficiencies. AI‑driven remote support and intelligent...
Temporary Workers in the NHS Need a Stronger Voice
A new National Guardian review finds that roughly two‑thirds of temporary NHS staff in England feel they have no voice, with fear of losing shifts the primary deterrent to speaking up. Ethnic minority temps report even higher levels of silence,...
Comings & Goings
Property services firms announced three senior leadership changes. Savills appointed Luke Kearns, formerly of Knight Frank and Marsh & Parsons, as head of lettings in Edinburgh, aiming to grow portfolios amid a stabilising Scottish rental market. Cushman & Wakefield’s international partner Yvonne Court will retire...
HP Delivers AI-Powered Updates to the Workforce Experience Platform (WXP) Designed to Help IT Leaders and MSPs Navigate the Current...
HP announced AI‑enhanced upgrades to its Workforce Experience Platform (WXP) aimed at reducing device downtime and easing memory‑capacity constraints for enterprises and managed service providers. The new features include AI remediation, a workflow builder, custom data reports, Teams pulse notifications,...
National Minimum Wage Welcomed as a Positive Step for Businesses and Workers
The UK National Minimum Wage will rise 4.1% in April, moving from £12.21 (≈ $15.3) to £12.71 (≈ $15.9) per hour. IRecruit4 founder Ashlea Fisher argues the increase can strengthen employee motivation, loyalty, and retention, especially when employers adopt the higher Living...
‘Do You Want some Privacy with That?’
Burger King, via Restaurant Brands International, will deploy an AI‑powered voice assistant called “Patty” in Canadian restaurants after a U.S. pilot in 500 locations. The headset listens to employee‑customer interactions, offering real‑time coaching, task prompts and performance data. While executives...
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Using Profit-Sharing Funds for a Home Down Payment: What to Know
Profit‑sharing plans let employers allocate a portion of profits to employee retirement accounts, with contributions capped at 25% of compensation or $69,000 for 2024. Withdrawals before age 59½ generally trigger a 10% early‑distribution penalty, and many plans impose vesting schedules...
Union Drives and Front-Line Managers: Lessons From No Frills Case
The Alberta Labour Relations Board ruled on a No Frills franchise, dismissing a complaint against Loblaw but allowing claims against the franchisee for manager conduct during a union drive. The decision highlights that front‑line managers’ actions—such as shift reductions and union‑related...
Driving Home the Point – Accommodating Employee Commutes
Employers are increasingly confronted with requests for commuting accommodations under the ADA, a trend amplified after COVID‑19. Recent appellate decisions—Charter Communications (7th Cir., 2023) and Tudor v. Whitehall (2d Cir., 2025)—hold that schedule adjustments can satisfy disability‑related commute challenges. The EEOC’s February 2026...
Crispin Odey Denies Being Unable to “Control Himself” Around Female Staff
Crispin Odey publicly denied claims that he cannot control himself around female staff, rejecting allegations of inappropriate conduct. The denial comes amid a broader trend of rising non‑financial misconduct reports filed with the UK Financial Conduct Authority over the past...
AI Legal Risks Abound Despite Trump’s Push for Federal Policy
Companies deploying AI-driven human resources tools face mounting legal exposure despite the Trump administration’s push for a federal AI regulatory framework. Even if Congress preempts state AI statutes, firms remain vulnerable to discrimination lawsuits under existing civil rights laws when...
Why US Legal Teams Need to Assess Non-Solicitations Now
Scott McDonald explains that the enforceability of U.S. non‑solicitation agreements hinges on the employer’s goodwill investment in cultivating customer relationships and the confidential information surrounding those ties. Recent court decisions have sharpened scrutiny of vague or overly broad clauses, prompting...
Trump Administration Policies on Immigration Have Impacted 65% of Businesses
A recent HR Brew analysis finds that 65% of U.S. businesses say Trump‑era immigration rules have disrupted operations. Since January 2025 the administration tightened H‑1B caps, expanded public‑charge criteria and intensified I‑9 verification, forcing employers to overhaul hiring processes. Companies...
When Is a Compliance Officer Also a Whistleblower?
Compliance officers are increasingly stepping into whistleblower roles, filing legal actions against their own firms for alleged misconduct. This shift reflects heightened regulatory scrutiny and expanded statutory protections for internal reporters. Employers must navigate the delicate balance between enforcing compliance...