THE HOT STORY

Most UAE businesses are confident about their wellbeing strategy

According to figures by management consulting company Aon, 71% of businesses in the UAE have confidence that their organisation's wellbeing strategy is meeting the needs of employees. The study, based on findings from Aon's 2026 Human Capital Trends survey, observed that the top three priorities include accelerating digital transformation in HR processes, strengthening leadership and succession planning, and optimising workforce planning and organisational design. Paul Zoghbi, chief executive of Talent Solutions Aon Middle East, said: “Together, these factors highlight the UAE's commitment to enhancing the employee experience and reflect wider national initiatives to invest in talent attraction and retention strategies.”

Khaleej Times Online

EBOOK

Improve Employee Onboarding with AI

Starting a new role sets the tone for the entire employee journey, and puts pressure on both HR and IT teams to get every detail right.

This free Atlassian eBook shows how HR teams can create smoother, more consistent onboarding experiences using Jira Service Management, AI and Assets.

Learn how to automate manual tasks, reduce errors, improve visibility and give hiring managers the insights they need to support new starters from day one. The guide also includes how FanDuel connected Assets with its HRIS to streamline employee onboarding.

Download the eBook

WORKFORCE

Qatar affirms development of an integrated labour policy system

At the Second International Migration Review Forum in New York, Qatar urged global leaders to focus on three key areas for improving migration governance. Qatar emphasised the need for regular migration pathways as proactive policies, not just responses to irregular migration. Her Excellency Sheikha Najwa bint Abdulrahman al-Thani said: "Humane and effective migration governance is both attainable and accountable." Qatar's reforms include ending exit permits and establishing a non-discriminatory minimum wage. The country aims to lead in the Global Compact framework, addressing human trafficking through an integrated governance model.

Gulf Times

HIRING

Work-seeking youngsters burned out by 'doomjobbing'

Psychotherapists have coined "doomjobbing" as a term for young graduates who are addicted to endlessly refreshing job listings. Jo Hemmings, a behavioural psychologist, observes: "Infinite-scroll job boards create a powerful dopamine loop where every new role offers a tiny hit of hope . . . Most applications go nowhere but the occasional response keeps people coming back. That unpredictability is psychologically very addictive." Consequent "emotional hypervigilance" leaves people exhausted and demoralised, she said. "Anticipation, rejection, despair, anticipation, rejection, despair. Ultimately it is a waste of time," says psychotherapist Jo Ellen Grzyb. "Even though it looks as though they're busy 'doing' something it's quite a passive position to be in."

The Times

TAX

US trade court strikes down Trump’s replacement global tariffs

A US federal trade court has ruled that President Donald Trump unlawfully used Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose 10% global tariffs introduced earlier this year after the Supreme Court blocked his broader worldwide tariff regime. The divided three-judge panel at the US Court of International Trade found that the statute did not give the president authority to implement the tariffs in the manner proposed, with two judges ruling in favour of the plaintiffs and one dissenting.

Egypt opens first premium tax services centre in New Cairo

Egypt has inaugurated its first premium tax services centre in New Cairo, marking the start of a nationwide initiative to simplify tax procedures for investors. Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said the government aims to foster a partnership with the business community through tax reforms. Finance Minister Ahmed Kouchouk highlighted the ministry's commitment to enhancing taxpayer satisfaction and expanding the tax base. Rasha Abdel Aal, head of the Egyptian Tax Authority, announced plans for two additional centres in New Alamein and Sheikh Zayed. The New Cairo centre offers expedited services, including voluntary registration and technical support for digital tax systems.

Zawya EN

INTERNATIONAL

JPMorgan faces scandal over sex slave claims

Chirayu Rana, a JPMorgan Chase investment banker, is suing the bank, alleging he was made a sex slave by his boss, Lorna Hajdini. Rana claims she drugged him and subjected him to unwanted sexual advances and physical abuse. The lawsuit has gained significant attention, especially after it was revealed that JPMorgan offered Rana $1m to leave. Both JPMorgan and Hajdini deny the allegations. Jim Armitage in the Sunday Times says the salaciousness of the case has spread around boardrooms on both sides of the Atlantic, leaving directors and lawyers asking how would they handle such allegations at their company.

Sunday Times

Australia's 'systemic' exploitation of workers on temporary visas

The Migrant Justice Institute's Off the Books report reveals that temporary migrant workers in Australia are underpaid by $61m weekly. The survey of 8,370 workers found that two-thirds received less than their entitled wages under the Fair Work Act. “These are not isolated cases of bad employers. This is a system that produces vulnerability at scale, and enables willing employers to exploit it,” Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner Chris Evans said. “Piecemeal Band-Aid measures will not change an entrenched culture of exploitation . . . Increased enforcement will help individuals, but it will not change the system.” Evans said the system required a “reset,” adding “The vulnerabilities that allow exploitation to flourish must be extinguished to allow fair treatment for migrant workers.”

West Australian

Guatemala’s President replaces AG following protracted struggle

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arévalo has appointed Gabriel Estuardo García Luna as the country's new attorney general and head of the prosecutor's office, putting an end to a years-long struggle with former top prosecutor Consuelo Porras, who has been sanctioned by 40 countries for obstructing anti-corruption efforts. Porras' office had repeatedly sought to block Arévalo's appointment. “The Public Ministry is getting a new authority who does not come to serve a president, the government of the day, or particular or spurious political interests,” Arévalo said.

U.S. News

Nissan to cut 10% of Europe workforce in global restructuring

Nissan plans to cut about 10% of its European workforce, including in France, Spain and the UK, as part of a restructuring aimed at easing the Japanese carmaker’s financial difficulties.

Financial Times

OTHER

Sumatra flood victims file lawsuit amid stalled work

Victims of last year's devastating floods in Indonesia's Sumatra have filed a lawsuit urging the government to declare national disaster status for three affected provinces. The suit, submitted to the state administrative court, includes seven residents from Aceh, North Sumatra, and West Sumatra, who are demanding immediate action from the government. Diki Rafiqi, one of the petitioners, said the existing reconstruction process has now stalled because ⁠of the limited budget allocated by the provincial governments. The petitioners are also seeking a moratorium on new forest use permits until the land is rehabilitated, underscoring the need for reconstruction funding and support for the 1,200 lives lost and 300,000 homes damaged during the disaster.

U.S. News

The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation.

The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on X.

Online

Advertise

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe