7 Stories on the State of Pay in the Workplace
A recent Enhancv analysis of 1,000 full‑time employees who hold multiple jobs shows the traditional 3‑5% annual raise no longer motivates workers. More than half say they would need a 21%‑50% salary increase to give up a second full‑time role, while U.S. workers on average expect $33,332 more than they are offered. Salary.com reports a disconnect: 75% of HR leaders believe pay is fair, but only 44% of employees agree. Experts recommend ongoing compensation conversations to improve transparency.
Feds, Home Care Company Eye $3M Deal to End Overtime, Misclassification Claims
Amazing Care Home Healthcare Services agreed to a $3 million settlement to resolve Department of Labor claims that it misclassified 284 workers as independent contractors and failed to pay overtime. The DOL investigation estimated roughly $6 million in unpaid overtime owed to...
Entry-Level Productivity Expectations Have Increased Due to AI, Report Says
Research by D2L and Morning Consult shows AI is boosting productivity expectations for entry‑level employees even as firms hire fewer junior staff. Nearly half of U.S. HR leaders say AI is shifting tasks to mid‑level workers, with 56% noting fewer...
DOL Rescinds Biden-Era Overtime Rule, Formalizing Return to 2019 Salary Threshold
The U.S. Department of Labor announced Thursday that it will rescind the Biden‑era overtime rule, reverting the salary threshold for overtime eligibility back to the 2019 level of $684 per week. The 2024 rule, which had raised the threshold to...
Employers Say They’re Doing Enough to Help with Medical Costs, but Workers Disagree
A Prudential Financial study finds that three‑quarters of employers believe they are adequately helping workers manage medical costs, yet fewer than half of employees share that view. More than 70% of workers reported at least a 5% increase in medical...
Recruiters See Job Applications Triple — to More than 300 per Role
Recruiting platform Ashby reports that applications per open role have tripled since 2021, now averaging over 300 candidates per position. Despite the surge, recruiter productivity has rebounded, with teams delivering roughly seven hires per quarter. Time to first fill has...
CFOs Earn Higher Pay as Pressures Mount, Datarails Finds
The median compensation for CFOs at the largest U.S. public firms jumped to $3.86 million in 2024, a 62% increase since 2019 and now slightly above COO pay. Turnover in the role accelerated, rising 17% year‑over‑year and leaving CFOs with the...
Job Seekers Are Frustrated by an ‘Opaque and Impersonal’ Hiring Process, a Career Expert Says
A Monster survey of over 1,000 U.S. workers reveals that 60% of job seekers are frustrated by the opaque nature of modern hiring, especially the lack of visibility into whether a human reviewed their resume. The report highlights widespread technical...
Feds Propose Rule to Help Employers Expand Fertility Benefit Coverage
The Trump administration has issued a proposed rule that would let employers offer fertility benefits, such as IVF, as “limited excepted benefits” with a $120,000 lifetime cap that will be indexed for inflation after 2028. By classifying these benefits as...
6 Ways to Reduce DEI Programs’ Legal Risk
Corporate DEI programs remain active despite a hostile federal climate, prompting firms to rewrite policies, decouple compensation ties, and adjust hiring practices. Legal shifts, highlighted by the Supreme Court’s affirmative‑action rulings, have increased scrutiny of programs that appear to favor...
LinkedIn: Gen Zers Are Most Likely to Fall Victim to Job Scams
LinkedIn’s latest research reveals that 32% of Gen Z professionals admit ignoring red flags when applying for jobs, making them the most vulnerable group to job scams. Nearly three‑quarters of all workers pause to assess a posting’s legitimacy, and over a...
Week in Review: How to Prevent Hiring Someone without the Right Skills
Employers are grappling with a surge in "skillfishing," where candidates falsify credentials, compounding the volume challenge in hiring. A DOJ report highlighted $6.8 million in fraudulent payouts from Fortune 500 firms tied to state‑backed remote‑work scams, underscoring the financial stakes of inadequate...
Lawsuit Alleging Supervisor Slapped and Tried to Kiss Employee Can Go to Trial, Court Says
A federal judge denied summary judgment for Helia Healthcare of Salem, allowing the EEOC’s lawsuit alleging a hostile work environment and retaliation to proceed to trial. The case centers on a supervisor who allegedly slapped and attempted to kiss a...
‘Peanut Butter’ Pay Raises Are Not yet Mainstream, Mercer Finds
Mercer’s QuickPulse Compensation Planning Survey shows 2026 merit raises averaged 3.1%, with total pay increases at 3.4%, just shy of its 3.5% forecast. Only 4% of the 756 employers surveyed applied uniform “peanut butter” raises, preferring performance‑based adjustments. Payscale’s 2026...
This Week in 5 Numbers: Only About 1 in 10 Job Seekers Say They Would Sit Through an AI Interview
Only about 12% of job seekers say they would sit through an AI‑driven interview, according to Greenhouse research. More than half of U.S. companies (54%) already use artificial intelligence for HR functions, a figure from a Littler Mendelson survey. The...
Dems Urge EEOC to Retain Pregnancy Rule’s IVF Protections
Fifteen Democratic senators, led by Chuck Schumer, urged EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas to retain IVF accommodation protections in the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. The senators warned that a proposed rule change could let employers deny reasonable accommodations for fertility treatments....
Minnesota Recovers $1.28M in Back Wages in Record-Breaking Case
The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry secured a record $1.28 million in back wages and liquidated damages for 26 construction workers after finding violations at Property Maintenance and Advantage Construction. The consent orders require the firms to pay the overdue...
Boards Push AI but Can’t Separate Hype From Reality, CEOs Say
A Boston Consulting Group survey of 351 CEOs and 274 board members reveals a widening gap between board confidence in AI knowledge and CEOs’ assessment of board readiness. While 75% of directors believe they are as knowledgeable as peers, nearly...
In the Race to Deploy AI, Leaders Must Prioritize Human Capabilities, Report Warns
A new Aon Human Capital Trends study finds that while 88% of senior leaders acknowledge AI will demand fresh skills, 80% of organizations still prioritize automating routine tasks over building adaptability and change‑management capabilities. The report highlights a misalignment: 84%...
Employers ‘Still Playing Catch-Up’ on AI Risk Management, Littler Report Finds
Artificial intelligence has become the top workplace policy concern for U.S. employers in 2026, overtaking immigration and DEI issues. More than half of surveyed firms now use AI in HR functions, and 68% have formal AI governance policies, up from...
Aviation Staffing Company Used ‘per Diem’ Scheme to Avoid Paying Overtime, Lawsuit Says
A Georgia‑based aviation staffing firm, Complete Aviation Services and Modification (CASM), is accused in a proposed collective and class‑action lawsuit of using a per‑diem scheme to classify most of workers’ wages as untaxed per diem, thereby paying only straight time...
How to Avoid ‘Skillfishing’ Traps
Employers are grappling with a surge of AI‑generated résumés that game applicant‑tracking system keywords, a phenomenon dubbed “skillfishing.” Dice president Paul Farnsworth warns the volume problem will persist, forcing recruiters to rethink screening. Experts recommend rebuilding hiring pipelines with skill‑based...
4 Ways HR Uses AI in Hiring, According to Talent Professionals
Talent acquisition teams are increasingly deploying artificial intelligence, with screening emerging as the top use case, according to a May 2026 iCIMS and Aptitude Research report. The same study shows AI is also applied to candidate communication, assessments and sourcing, but...
Week in Review: Why Recruiters Need to Consider Seduction
At the SHRM Talent conference on April 20, recruiters were urged to shift from simple attraction to a more nuanced "seduction" strategy, targeting candidates’ current pain points. The call comes as a McLean & Co. report shows 40% of employees experiencing...
Latino Leadership Gap Isn’t a Pipeline Problem, Report Says
A new Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement (HACE) study reveals that Latino employees, who make up roughly 20% of the U.S. workforce, occupy only about 5% of executive roles. The research identifies a "conversion gap" at the mid‑to‑senior transition rather...
Updated Federal Guidance and Funds May Boost Manufacturing Apprenticeships
The U.S. Department of Labor released updated guidance that eases registration requirements for new manufacturing apprenticeship programs, cutting work‑hour caps and speeding approvals. Arkansas announced a $35.8 million incentive fund that pays sponsors $3,500 for each advanced‑manufacturing apprentice who clears a...
Payroll Errors Don’t Stay in Payroll
Payroll errors extend beyond a simple operational glitch, directly affecting employees’ financial stability and trust in their employer. A PayrollOrg survey found 49.1 % of workers would struggle to meet obligations after a late paycheck, while the BLS reports a 1.2 %...
Oncor Electric Could Fire Employee for Publicly Disparaging Smart Meters, DC Circuit Holds
Oncor Electric Delivery Co. fired a field technician for disparaging its new smart meters, and the D.C. Circuit upheld the termination, ruling that the employee’s testimony was not protected under the National Labor Relations Act because he failed to disclose...
HR Pros Expect over $40K More than the Role Pays, Data Finds
JobLeads analysis shows HR professionals expect $133,322 on average, but employers offer $90,725, creating a $42,596 gap. The gap varies by sub‑role, with strategy and management seeing the widest $50,635 difference. Across the United States the overall expectation gap is...
Recruiters Say AI Resume Flood Has Them Sourcing at Bars, Parties
Recruiters are increasingly turning to informal venues like bars, grocery stores, and gyms to source talent after AI‑generated resumes flooded traditional hiring channels. A Zety survey of 1,001 hiring professionals found 59% feel comfortable scouting outside work, and 84% say...
This Week in 5 Numbers: HR Is Most in Need of Interim Leaders
Interim leadership demand in human‑capital functions surged 129% over the past year, according to Heidrick & Struggles. A Monster survey shows 60% of workers will avoid jobs that omit salary ranges, while half say their pay lags behind rising living costs. The...
‘Burdensome’ FMLA Process May Be Interference, Court Says in SC Johnson Lawsuit
A federal district court denied SC Johnson's motion to dismiss a lawsuit alleging the company interfered with an employee's Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) rights. The employee claimed that SC Johnson's outsourcing of leave administration to Prudential created a...
HR May Be Relying on ‘Gut Instincts’ Amid Data Overload
Korn Ferry’s April 21 report finds that 71% of senior HR and C‑suite leaders are forced to rely on gut instincts because talent data is overwhelming and scattered across systems. While 84% of respondents juggle three to ten talent platforms, only...
ABA Settles Claim Alleging Diversity Scholarship Fund Harmed White Students
The American Bar Association settled a lawsuit filed by the American Alliance for Equal Rights, which alleged the ABA’s scholarship fund excluded White law students in violation of the 1866 Civil Rights Act. Under the settlement, the ABA will broaden...
7 Stories About the State of DEI at the Federal Level
President Donald Trump’s second administration has intensified its anti‑DEI agenda, issuing executive orders that target diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across federal agencies and contractors. The Department of Justice, together with the EEOC, released two guidance memos in 2025 warning...
Total Compensation Not Currently Helping Engagement Much, McLean Says
McLean & Co.’s latest employee‑engagement report finds overall engagement stable but highlights weak underlying drivers. Total compensation scores dropped to 52 percent, the lowest among engagement factors, and career‑advancement scored only 58.3 percent. Stress rose for 40 percent of workers, while collaboration remained stagnant at...
Interim C-Suite Leaders in High Demand as Companies Pursue Change Efforts
Executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles reports a surge in demand for interim C‑suite leaders, with overall requests up 151% since 2021 and human‑capital expertise requests jumping 129% in the last year. CFOs account for more than half of these engagements,...
Paper Manufacturer that Allegedly Fired Worker Who Obtained Protective Order Settles with EEOC
Sofidel America Corp., a U.S. paper manufacturer, agreed to pay $80,000 to settle EEOC claims that it tolerated sexual harassment and retaliated against a 22‑year‑old employee who obtained a protective order. The settlement, part of a three‑year consent decree, requires...
American Workers ‘Can’t Afford to Wait’ on Federal AI Legislation, Groups Say
A coalition of 40 labor‑and policy groups sent a letter to Congress urging that any federal AI legislation put workers at the center of the rules. The groups argue that unchecked AI adoption threatens job security, privacy and could amplify...
JBM Packaging Celebrates First Graduate of In-Prison Training Program
JBM Packaging marked a milestone on April 11 by hiring Billy Campbell, the first graduate of its in‑prison training program at the London Correctional Institution in Ohio. The initiative teaches inmates technical skills on envelope‑making equipment for 32 hours a week over...
Salesforce Sought to Create ‘Negative Record’ of Employee Out on FMLA Leave, Lawsuit Claims
Salesforce is facing a lawsuit alleging it violated the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act by terminating an employee who took FMLA leave to care for his father’s cancer. The plaintiff claims the company deliberately...
Caught in the Middle: 3 Places Where EEOC Rollbacks Collide with California Law
The EEOC under the Trump administration rolled back guidance that previously protected transgender employees, allowing restroom denial and intentional misgendering under Title VII. In contrast, California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) continues to require restroom access, correct pronoun use,...
Week in Review: MrBeast Company Sued over Harassment
A former employee of MrBeastYouTube, LLC and GameChanger 24/7, LLC filed a lawsuit alleging gender‑based harassment and wrongful termination three weeks after returning from maternity leave. The complaint targets the high‑profile creator‑driven companies behind the MrBeast YouTube channel. The case arrives...
Despite the Hype, AI Is Not Replacing the Customer Service Workforce
AI is reshaping, not replacing, the customer‑service workforce. Gartner’s survey of 300+ leaders shows 74% have deployed at least one AI use case, yet only 20% have trimmed headcount. Agents save roughly 5.5 hours per week, but most of that time...
Hiring Needs to Enter Its ‘Seduction’ Era, Talent Acquisition Pro Says
Talent acquisition leaders say the era of pure attraction is over, urging recruiters to adopt a “seduction” approach that convinces secure, job‑hugging workers to switch roles. Jim D’Amico of Caliber Collision highlighted the need for diagnostic interviews that address candidates’...
Seeing It Clearly: How Vision Benefits Support Employees and Businesses
Vision benefits are emerging as a strategic priority as employee eye health deteriorates; VSP research shows 66% of workers report eye issues and 75% say vision problems hurt productivity. Moreover, 78% would favor jobs that include vision coverage, making eye...
Hospital Gift Shop Chain Pays $600K over Allegedly Unnecessary Standing, Lifting Requirements
Hospital gift‑shop chain Lori’s Gifts agreed to pay $600,000 to settle EEOC claims that it unlawfully rejected candidates with disabilities. The EEOC alleged the retailer’s pre‑employment questionnaire required applicants to stand for up to five hours and lift 30 pounds, criteria...
‘Zealous Implementation’ of Trump Anti-Trans Order Resulted in Hostile Work Environment at EEOC, Lawsuit Says
A transgender former EEOC director of information governance filed a lawsuit alleging a hostile work environment created by the agency’s aggressive implementation of President Trump’s anti‑transgender executive order. The complaint says Chair Andrea Lucas rescinded long‑standing LGBTQ+ protections, disbanded the employee...
What Are the Job Listing Deal Breakers for Applicants?
A Monster survey released April 24 finds that 60% of workers will not apply for jobs lacking a salary range, making pay transparency the top deal‑breaker. Unpaid assignments, negative employer reviews, vague descriptions and lengthy applications also deter large portions of...
Financial Stress Drags Employee Engagement Down
A new PwC Employee Financial Wellness Survey reveals that 59% of U.S. workers are stressed about money, and 49% feel their pay isn’t keeping pace with costs. More than half have less than $5,000 in emergency savings, with 30% holding...