You’re all signed up for the Human Times
Thank you for your interest in our service.
Watch out for a confirmation email from our subscriptions team. Once you have confirmed you will join the worldwide community of over 30,000 subscribers who are receiving daily HR intelligence to lead, innovate and grow.
Note: Due to the nature of this message you may find this in your "promotions" or "spam" folders, please check there. If nothing arrives within a few minutes let us know. If you do not receive this email we will be happy to help get you set up.
Adding the email address [email protected], will help to ensure all newsletters arrive directly to your inbox.
Recent Editions

Human Times
North America
The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing it to proceed with plans to lay off tens of thousands of federal employees without Congressional approval. In an 8-1 decision, the justices lifted a previous order from U.S. District Judge Susan Illston, who had blocked the mass layoffs across more than 20 federal agencies. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, arguing that Congress should have the authority to determine the size and function of federal agencies. The court said: “The Government is likely to succeed on its argument that the Executive Order and Memorandum are lawful,” although it did not address specific layoffs. The ruling comes amid ongoing litigation, but the justices are unlikely to reverse their decision. The layoffs could affect agencies such as Health and Human Services, which plans to cut 8,000 to 10,000 employees, and the Veterans Administration, which initially aimed to lay off 83,000 but has since reduced that number to about 30,000.
Full Issue
Human Times
UK
GPs will pilot a scheme replacing automatic sick notes with tailored support to help patients stay employed. Health Secretary Wes Streeting criticised the current approach as a “bureaucratic dead end,” noting that 93% of the 11m fit notes issued last year declared patients unfit without offering alternatives. Under the £64m WorkWell scheme, 15 regions will fund in-practice teams, including employment advisers and social prescribers, to assist patients. “We simply can’t afford to keep writing people off,” said Streeting, highlighting the pilot's aim to reduce economic inactivity linked to health issues. The initiative will include physiotherapy, counselling, and even gym memberships to support physical and mental health. It also empowers non-GP staff, such as occupational therapists, to issue fit notes, aiming to reduce GP workload and guide more people back into employment with appropriate accommodations.
Full Issue
Human Times
Europe
Germany's heightened border controls have sparked legal and operational concerns, particularly affecting federal police staffing and morale. Federal Police Commissioner Uli Grötsch reported over 2.8m overtime hours since March 2024, largely driven by just 285 asylum-related rejections. Officers face poor infrastructure, such as winter use of portable toilets, and unresolved legal ambiguity, as the Berlin administrative court ruled pushbacks illegal under EU law. Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt maintains the policy despite criticism. Grötsch also addressed 19 racial profiling cases, urging greater empathy from officers balancing security duties with sensitive identity checks targeting individuals from the Global South. The redirection of officers to border posts has also depleted riot police units and weakened regular police operations nationwide, increasing strain on already overburdened local forces.
Full Issue
Human Times
Middle East
In the second quarter of 2025, hiring in the UAE increased by 4%, the highest in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, according to Cooper Fitch's quarterly report. While the UAE thrived, other GCC nations experienced slower hiring due to the Eid holidays, with Saudi Arabia and Oman seeing a modest 2% increase, and Bahrain at 1%. In contrast, Kuwait and Qatar faced declines of 4% and 3%, respectively. The report highlighted strong demand in sectors like finance, legal, and technology, although many firms paused senior-level hiring due to budget constraints and shifting priorities. Overall, the UAE's job market remains robust, with expectations for continued growth into the third quarter.
Full Issue