Tag: #hrnews

A seventeenth-century French poet’s reinterpretation of an old fable, the Monkey and the Cat, tells the story of a monkey that persuades a cat to reach into a fire. The cat retrieves chestnuts, burning its paw in the process, and the monkey makes off with the tasty reward. Modern English speakers have derived the term “cat’s paw,” meaning…

Fourth Circuit rejects broad reading of NLRA’s managerial exception; OPM cancels reduced tuition program for federal employees; Starbucks will pay $39 million for violating New York City’s Fair Workweek law; Mamdani and Sanders join striking baristas outside a Brooklyn Starbucks.

Jorge Rivera Lujan, a Dreamer protected under DACA, runs his own trucking business; Aleksei Semenovskii sought asylum from Russia and has been driving in the U.S. for more than five years. Both have complied with every requirement for commercial licenses, yet their livelihoods are under threat. Nearly 40 years after federal regulations first recognized the importance…

With winter coming, every storm puts the same three questions in HR’s inbox: Are we open today, who has to be here, and how is everyone getting paid? Recent snow day lawsuits are a reminder to check that your inclement weather policies align with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) before a long winter of…

The age of AI is here to stay, with 77% of companies either using or exploring the use of artificial intelligence in their business. What’s more telling, 83% of companies claim that AI is a top priority in their future business plans. While AI is great for saving time and eliminating monotonous tasks, there’s one…

California farmworkers defend state labor law, cities consider requiring companies to hire delivery drivers, Supreme Court takes FAA last-mile drivers case.

Raw, abraded bellies. Broken legs. Overcrowding. Filthy trays and manure-covered ground. This is what life looks like for a chicken being raised as food. These conditions are the result of industry-wide growing practices that prioritize profits over chicken welfare and human health. The practices are mandated by Big Poultry companies, called integrators, like Perdue and Tyson.  Around 90% of chicken…

The annual chaos of open enrollment may be largely behind us, but for HR teams, the work of maximizing employee benefits is just beginning. Now, as leaders pivot to 2026 planning and strategy, they confront a crucial opportunity to drive engagement across benefits programs. One powerful and timely benefit that requires this strategic focus is…

In today’s news and commentary, the MSPB issues its first precedential ruling since regaining a quorum; Amazon workers lead strikes and demonstrations in multiple countries; and Starbucks workers expand their indefinite strike to additional locations. Last week, the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) released its first precedential decision in eight months. The MSPB had been…

Throughout his campaign, New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani repeatedly vowed to focus on the needs of working class New Yorkers. While workers’ rights did not make it into Mamdani’s oft-repeated campaign bullet points (freeze the rent, fast and free buses, universal childcare), Mamdani did often voice support for unions, and he appeared on several…