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Human Times helps you stay ahead of the latest news and trends that impact the HR industry. Every weekday, our unique blend of AI and team of expert HR and employment editors and researchers monitor 100,000s of articles, and social posts to create summaries of the most relevant and useful content to help you lead, innovate and grow. The award winning Human Times newsletter has four geographical editions with news tailored to your region.

From HR leadership to diversity and inclusion, hybrid working, organisational data, performance management, and retention strategies, Human Times is the only trusted free online news source dedicated to covering the most up to date headlines, articles, reports and interviews to make sure you’re abreast of changes in the HR industry.

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Human Times
North America
U.S. business groups seek permanent block of Biden rule on worker classification

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other major business groups have asked a Texas federal judge to permanently block a Biden administration rule that would make it more difficult for companies to treat certain workers as independent contractors rather than their employees. The groups argue that the U.S. Department of Labor failed to adequately explain why it was abandoning a Trump-era regulation that drew clearer lines for determining worker classification under federal wage laws. The business groups claim that reclassification will harm many independent contractors and may drive some out of the workforce altogether. The rule, which took effect on March 11, is expected to have a broad impact on industries relying on gig workers. Multiple challenges to the rule are pending, and Republicans in Congress are pushing for its repeal. The case is currently before U.S. District Judge Marcia Crone in Beaumont, Texas.

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Human Times
UK
TUC calls for AI to be regulated in the workplace

The TUC has warned that Britain is failing to keep up with the regulation of AI in the workplace, leaving workers vulnerable to exploitation and discrimination. It has proposed a legal blueprint for regulating AI, including a legal duty for employers to consult trade unions on the use of high-risk and intrusive forms of the technology. Other countries such as the US, China, and Canada are already implementing new laws for the use of AI. TUC assistant general secretary Kate Bell said: “UK employment law is simply failing to keep pace with the rapid speed of technological change. We are losing the race to regulate AI in the workplace. AI is already making life-changing calls in the workplace, including how people are hired, performance managed and fired. We urgently need to put new guardrails in place to protect workers from exploitation and discrimination. This should be a national priority. Other countries are regulating workplace AI – so that staff and employers know where they stand. The UK can't afford to drag its feet and become an international outlier.”

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Human Times
Europe
Greece's largest union holds 24-hour walkout

Greece's largest union, the General Confederation of Greek Workers, has staged a 24-hour walkout to protest the cost of living and demand higher wages. The strike disrupted public transport and ferry services to the islands, as well as the Athens metro. Around 4,000 people demonstrated in central Athens in support of the strike. Hospital doctors, taxis, and buses also joined the strike. This marks the second strike in six weeks, reflecting growing social discontent against the conservative government. Despite criticism from union leaders, the ruling New Democracy party remains ahead in the polls ahead of the European Parliament elections.

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Human Times
Middle East
UAE private sector employees demand remote work options amid unstable weather

Private sector employees in the UAE are calling on their employers to provide remote work options during heavy rainfall and unstable weather conditions. Despite the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation's recommendation for prioritising employee safety, some employees were still required to commute to their offices. Professionals who rely on in-person meetings expressed the need for flexibility in the private sector to accommodate such situations. However, healthcare workers and roles that require physical presence are unable to work remotely. Social media posts highlighted the dissatisfaction of private sector workers who had to travel to work in hazardous weather conditions. While remote work has been widely implemented in government entities, exceptions exist for roles that necessitate physical presence.

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