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5th May 2025
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THE HOT STORY
USDA loses 15,000 staff to Trump buyouts
Over 15,000 USDA employees, about 15% of its workforce, have accepted financial incentives from the Trump administration to resign, part of a broader push to reduce federal staff. These incentives, offered with support from Elon Musk, included months of pay and benefits. The departures spanned key agencies like the Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Food Safety Inspection Service, and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Many staff chose the second incentive round due to uncertainty and burnout. Nationwide, over 260,000 federal employees have left or been marked for departure during Trump’s second term, about 10% of the civilian workforce.
MENTAL HEALTH
UKG on Mental Health and Finding Purpose at Work

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WORKFORCE
Trump administration cuts coal safety jobs
The Trump administration has issued termination notices to employees of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which provides essential health and safety services for coal miners and firefighters. Despite appeals from U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, the job losses are part of a restructuring within the Department of Health and Human Services. NIOSH's critical programs, including health screenings for coal miners, have been halted, raising concerns about the resurgence of black lung disease among miners. The future of the terminated employees remains uncertain as NIOSH's functions are set to merge with the new Administration for a Healthy America.
Job cuts loom at USPS ad UPS
The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and United Parcel Service (UPS) are planning significant job cuts this year, with UPS set to eliminate 20,000 positions, approximately 4% of its workforce. UPS Chief Executive Carol Tomé said: “We are executing the largest network reconfiguration in UPS history,” aiming to enhance productivity through automation. Meanwhile, USPS plans to cut 10,000 jobs as part of its Delivering for America plan, which seeks to modernize operations amid projected losses of $200bn. The Teamsters union, representing UPS workers, has vowed to oppose any cuts that violate their contract, emphasizing the need to protect jobs.
Spirit AeroSystems lays off workers
Spirit AeroSystems, a major supplier for Boeing, is temporarily laying off 250-350 workers on its 737 production line due to an overproduction issue. The company said: “Over the past several years, we've overproduced and accumulated a parts surplus,” necessitating these layoffs to manage inventory levels. This decision comes as Boeing prepares to acquire Spirit in a $4.7bn deal aimed at improving manufacturing quality and safety.
LEGAL
New Jersey targets gig economy misclassification
New Jersey is proposing new rules that could reclassify gig workers, such as drivers for Uber and Lyft, as employees rather than freelancers. The change aims to ensure that these workers receive benefits such as disability and family leave insurance, which they currently miss out on. Adam Busler, a labor attorney, said: “The [state] Department of Labor basically wants to eliminate the independent contractor relationship in almost every form.” The proposed rules, based on the “ABC test,” suggest that many gig workers do not meet the criteria for independent contractor status. If implemented, these regulations could significantly increase labor costs for companies relying on freelancers. The state has highlighted the issue of rampant worker misclassification, with a 2020 audit revealing over 7,000 misclassified workers.
Judge strikes down Trump order targeting Perkins Coie
U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell has ruled that Donald Trump’s executive order targeting Perkins Coie is unconstitutional, breaching First Amendment free speech protections and the Fifth Amendment’s due process guarantees. In a 102-page decision, Howell denounced the order as an abuse of presidential power for personal retaliation, stating: “Settling personal vendettas…is not a legitimate use of the powers of the U.S. government or an American President.” The order barred the firm’s access to federal agencies and threatened its clients’ contracts. Perkins Coie, which represented Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign, claimed it was targeted for political reasons and its pro-diversity policies. The Justice Department may appeal the ruling. Other firms have faced similar orders, with some suing and others reaching costly settlements with the Trump administration.
Court blocks return of VOA employees
In a significant legal development, a federal appeals court has blocked a ruling that would have reinstated over 1,000 Voice of America (VOA) employees. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth had previously ordered the Trump administration to restore these employees and resume broadcasts. However, the appeals court, in a 2-1 decision, indicated that Lamberth may have lacked jurisdiction in this matter. Judge Cornelia Pillard dissented, warning that the ruling could lead to the "silencing Voice of America for the foreseeable future." Under Trump's directive, VOA has not reported news since March 15, marking a historic first in its 80-year history.
Amazon faces lawsuit over wrongful termination
Alexander Ramirez, a former package sorter at Amazon, has filed a federal lawsuit against the company, alleging wrongful termination after he reported COVID-19 symptoms and adhered to quarantine policies. The complaint, submitted in the U.S. District Court in New Jersey, claims that Amazon discriminated against him based on a perceived disability, violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. Ramirez seeks damages for lost wages, emotional distress, and punitive damages, demanding a jury trial. He asserts that despite following Amazon's guidelines, he was marked absent and ultimately terminated for missing shifts.
HEALTH & SAFETY
New law boosts safety for young workers
Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson has enacted Senate Bill 1644, enhancing safety regulations for minors in the workforce. The law, signed on International Workers' Memorial Day, aims to address rising injuries among young workers, with claims increasing by 60% from 2009 to 2023. The bill imposes stricter penalties on employers violating child labor laws, with fines ranging from $100 to $71,000. Critics, including Representative Tom Dent, argue that these regulations may limit job opportunities for youth, particularly in rural areas. The law will take effect on July 1, 2026.
FLEXIBLE WORKING
Micro-shifts get bigger
A new report by Deputy, The Big Shift: U.S. 2025, highlights the rise of “micro-shifts”—flexible work shifts of six hours or less—largely driven by Gen Z. These short shifts allow workers to balance caregiving, education, and multiple jobs, marking a shift toward smarter, more adaptable work structures. While Gen Z dominates this trend (51.5%), it's also growing among Gen Alpha and Baby Boomers, signaling a broader generational change. AI plays a key role in enabling micro-shifts by optimizing schedules and improving work-life balance. Deputy reports that AI-driven tools have enhanced flexibility and productivity, particularly in retail and logistics sectors.
Bay Area workers embrace hybrid model
Bay Area white-collar workers are now spending an average of three days a week in the office, according to a survey by the Bay Area Council involving 236 companies. The survey indicates that while 40% of companies mandated increased in-office days recently, only 22% plan to do so in the next six months. The shift towards hybrid work is evident, with many companies recognizing the benefits of flexible schedules to attract talent. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly influenced these changes, leading to a preference for remote work among employees. As the debate continues, California Governor Gavin Newsom's recent mandate for state workers to return to the office four days a week has sparked controversy and pushback from employees.
HIRING
Starbucks to boost barista hiring
Starbucks is set to increase its barista workforce as part of a strategy to regain customer loyalty. CEO Brian Niccol acknowledged that previous efforts to reduce labor in stores did not yield the expected results. The company plans to test this hiring initiative in select stores in 2024. Additionally, Starbucks is updating its employee dress code to feature a more streamlined look, requiring baristas to wear solid black tops and khaki, black, or blue denim bottoms.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Buffett hands reins to Greg Abel
Warren Buffett will step down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at year-end, ending a legendary six-decade tenure that transformed the conglomerate into a global powerhouse. Greg Abel, vice chairman and current overseer of Berkshire’s non-insurance businesses, will assume the role—a move long anticipated but confirmed only during the 2025 annual meeting. While Buffett has actively groomed Abel, delegating major responsibilities and endorsing him publicly, there’s one thing he cannot pass on: his iconic reputation. “Warren’s so unique,” said Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. Abel, a 62-year-old former accountant from Canada, will inherit a decentralized empire that spans railways, energy, retail, and more. Though he lacks Buffett’s investor mystique, Abel is seen as a capable operator. “He would make a huge mistake trying to be Warren Buffett, and he knows that,” said Fidelity’s Will Danoff. Abel’s more hands-on approach may contrast with Buffett’s famed light-touch style, signaling a new leadership era at Berkshire.
INTERNATIONAL
Ant Group's AI talent hunt begins
Chinese financial services giant Ant Group has launched its “Plan A” talent recruitment programme, introducing a team of world-class artificial intelligence researchers as mentors for aspiring candidates. The initiative aims to foster new talent in the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI). The programme features 12 distinguished mentors, including Wu Yi, a former OpenAI researcher, and Le Zhenzhong, a former scientist at Google. Ant's recruitment comes amid a broader trend among Chinese tech firms to hire AI specialists, spurred by the success of start-up DeepSeek. Notable team members include Shen Chunhua, a leading AI researcher with 87,000 Google Scholar citations, and Yang Ming, a founding member of Facebook AI Research. Ant Group said the initiative is part of its “exploration journey” towards AGI.
 


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