Francis ScialabbaThe Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently voted to advance a proposed rule that would transform the process federal employees undergo when filing discrimination complaints against the agencies they work for.Under the proposed changes, federal employees wouldn’t have the right to join class-action complaints, unless they wanted to file
Category: HR Brew
Strong job gains, labor force growth in August signal cautious optimism for labor market rebound
Morning Brew Inc.The job market was as sunny as the weather in August, per the latest jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.After a few months of concerning jobs data, employers reported stronger-than-expected job gains, while labor force participation ticked up after declining for several months. While experts caution
What a $480,000-a-year cancer drug means for employer health coverage
Revolution MedicinesEmployers are bracing for another year of higher health costs, according to recent industry reports.The average health benefit cost per employee is set to rise by 8.2% in 2027, even when taking into account measures businesses may take to contain costs, according to a survey released by consulting firm
As prediction markets gain popularity, HR can help dodge risky bets
Morning BrewPrediction markets have taken center stage in recent years, with tens of billions of dollars in trading volumes taking place each month on Kalshi and Polymarket. Most popular with young men, they can be used to bet on everything, from what color Olivia Rodrigo will dye her hair, to
Gen Z is making decisions based on how companies treat their employees
Anna KimCorporate America is filled with cautionary tales of what not to do as an employer…Companies would do well to heed them: 45% of Gen Z consumers said employee treatment affects their trust in a brand, according to an FTI Consulting report, making the issue more important than a company’s
As more companies slash middle managers, experts say HR should prioritize employees
Morning Brew Inc., Adobe StockAnother domino has fallen in Corporate America’s management-flattening movement…Uber announced earlier this week a 10% reduction in force affecting nearly 3,000 employees, Bloomberg reported. The layoffs are part of an effort to flatten organizational structure and will result in 20% fewer managers, some of whom will
Airbnb’s new people leader will oversee both HR and communications
Sopa Images/Getty ImagesAirbnb recently announced it will appoint an executive leader to oversee both people operations and communications.Fallon O’Connor will serve as the rental booking company’s head of communications and people, according to a Sept. 1 memo from CEO Brian Chesky.O’Connor, who’s been with the company for 11 years, previously
How one HR leader turned her passion for music into a career in people
Illustration: Morning Brew Inc., Photo: Allie ShulmanIn 2013, Allie Shulman’s mom dropped her off in New York City with a suitcase, a lamp, and a dream to work in music and entertainment.Like many 20-something creatives post college, Shulman told HR Brew that she knew she needed a day job to
DOL to tap Big Tech and others for AI workplace data
Ken Cedeno/Getty ImagesThe Department of Labor (DOL) is reportedly tapping major tech players to help understand the data on AI’s impact on the workforce, according to acting Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling.OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Amazon are some of the companies tapped to share data with the DOL in order to
SAP evolves its approach to neuroinclusion beyond Autism
Cameron AbbasSAP began its neuroinclusion journey more than a decade ago, as conversations around and understanding of Autism grew.But earlier this year, the company changed course and began to implement a broader framework for neurodiversity that goes beyond Autism, to include people who have ADHD, dyslexia, and sensory processing disorder,
To help manage a turnaround, Lumen Technologies tapped Brené Brown
Getty Images“Rumble.”“Clear is kind.”“The Five Cs.”Such concepts may sound unusual to a layperson, but for acolytes of Brené Brown, they’re practically gospel.Some employees are now learning how to lead in the workplace through the frameworks of Brown, an academic with a background in social work whose teachings took off during
Weak turnover in July confirms stagnating labor market
Illustration: Morning Brew Inc., Photos: Adobe StockThe dog days of summer hit the job market hard in July.While job openings, signaling employers’ intent to hire, picked up in July, actual hires fell last month, according to the latest Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS) from the Bureau of Labor
AI is changing the way we’re thinking about and procuring technology
Morning Brew Inc.As many organizations move beyond experimenting with and piloting AI, discussions about purchasing software are quickly expanding to include broader questions about workforce strategy, technology systems, and even how companies define talent.Rather than evaluating one AI tool or application against another, many organizations are trying to determine how
Legislative lowdown: Federal agencies issue guidance on wellness programs
Francis ScialabbaFederal agencies recently issued guidance clarifying how they will enforce laws related to wellness programs, such as those aimed at incentivizing workers to quit smoking or lose weight.Under federal law, employers can charge smokers up to 50% more for their health premiums.But these practices have recently been subject to
Employers seemingly disregard etiquette, laying off employees right before the holidays
The once common ritual fell out of fashion following the Great Recession, until this year.
Year in review: Some of the biggest HR moves in 2025
It was a big year for HR appointments and departures. Here are some of the most notable.

