Human Times

North American Edition

9th July 2025

THE HOT STORY

SCOTUS backs Trump on layoffs

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.

New Jersey Herald

The Baltimore Sun

Los Angeles Times

NPR / National Public Radio

REMUNERATION

Corporate adoption of AI boosts tech leader salaries

Top technology leaders at US companies are getting bigger paychecks as AI expands the scope of their leadership and responsibilities. The median pay for CTOs rose 30.81% in 2024 from the previous year, to approximately $2.4m, according to C-Suite Comp, an executive and board pay analytics firm. A separate report from Heller Search Associates found that base compensation for CIOs is rising by 20%-30%. “The reason total compensation is rising is because fear, uncertainty, doubt and desperation has entered the board and executive suite,” said chief executive Martha Heller. “They finally, with a push in AI, understand that this CIO role is important.” “Technology leaders have wised up,” said Alyse Egol, a senior client partner of Korn Ferry’s digital, technology and security officers practice. “They’re saying, ‘My value is above and beyond just keeping the machine running.’”

Wall Street Journal

WORKFORCE

Microsoft cuts 9,000 jobs globally

Microsoft has announced a second wave of layoffs, impacting approximately 9,000 employees, or 4% of its workforce, as part of a cost-cutting strategy while investing in artificial intelligence infrastructure. The cuts will affect various teams globally, including sales and the Xbox division. The company aims to streamline processes and reduce management levels to enhance efficiency. Despite pledging $80bn in capital spending for fiscal year 2025, rising AI infrastructure costs are affecting profit margins. Other tech giants like Meta and Google have also announced job cuts to improve efficiency. Julia Liuson, president of Microsoft's developer tools division, emphasised the importance of AI in employee evaluations, stating: "Using AI is no longer optional – it's core to every role and every level."

BBC News

Financial Times

The Times

Strike ends: Philadelphia workers return

Officials announced that a union representing nearly 10,000 city workers in Philadelphia has reached an agreement to end a strike that disrupted residential trash pickup and other services. The strike, initiated by District Council 33 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees on July 1, was aimed at securing better pay and benefits after contract negotiations with the city stalled. The union, which includes various blue-collar employees such as trash collectors and 911 dispatchers, is the largest among the city's labor groups. As a result of the new deal, city services are expected to resume promptly.

U.S. News

UAW targets International Motors workers

The United Auto Workers (UAW) has filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to organize 220 workers at International Motors in Huntsville, Alabama. This effort follows previous unsuccessful attempts at Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai. The company has begun communicating with employees, stating, “We strongly believe that selecting an outside organization like a union to represent you... is not necessary here in Huntsville.” Brandon Tucker, the plant manager, emphasized the company's commitment to growth, having invested $200m in the facility and doubled full-time employment over five years. The UAW has allocated $40m for organizing efforts in the South, indicating a strategic shift after challenges at other plants. A vote date has yet to be determined.

Al.com

California debates police education standards

California lawmakers are revisiting education standards for police officers amid a significant shortage. Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin's proposed bill would require incoming officers to obtain a policing certificate, associate degree, or bachelor's degree by 2031, with some exceptions. Critics, including former Assemblymember Reggie Jones-Sawyer, argue that the bill undermines previous reforms by allowing loopholes that could diminish educational requirements. Despite concerns, the bill has gained support from various law enforcement agencies, with many viewing it as a necessary step to improve standards while addressing recruitment challenges.

U.S. News

Cigna cuts jobs again in New Jersey

The Cigna Group has executed its fourth round of layoffs this year at its New Jersey subsidiary, Cigna Evernorth Health Services, affecting 62 employees. The layoffs, which began in March, primarily impacted the technology and operations divisions.

NJ.com

HIRING

AI's hiring revolution: are you ready?

AI is transforming the hiring process by predicting candidates' decisions based on human behaviour patterns. Recent studies reveal that AI can outperform traditional psychological theories in understanding decision-making. For instance, the Centaur model, trained on 10m human choices, excelled in predicting decisions related to fairness and risk, which are crucial in job interviews. Additionally, research from MIT highlights how AI tracks attention and memory, allowing it to anticipate responses under pressure. Dr. Paul Ekman, a leading expert in deception detection, notes that AI tools are now integrated into hiring platforms, analysing candidates' tone and expressions. While AI can reveal behavioural patterns, it may also pigeonhole candidates, potentially overlooking those who think outside the box.

Forbes

Amazon's Bellevue boom continues

Amazon solidified its position as Bellevue's largest employer by adding 3,300 employees in 2024, bringing its total to 14,300. The company aims to reach 25,000 employees in the city. Despite a temporary construction pause in 2022, development has resumed, with the Bellevue 600 Phase I tower expected to be completed by year-end. Other tech companies like TikTok and Meta also expanded, with TikTok now employing around 1,700 workers. However, the exit of Microsoft in 2023 has left several office spaces vacant, complicating the recovery of Bellevue's office market. As noted by The Broderick Group, "the considerable amount of full-floor space still available is creating a complex path to full recovery for the city's office market."

The Columbian

LEGAL

UnitedHealth under investigation for fraud

The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating UnitedHealth Group regarding potential Medicare fraud, focusing on how the company utilized doctors and nurses to enhance its Medicare payments. Former employees are being questioned as part of this ongoing criminal probe, which was first reported by the Wall Street Journal in May. The investigation involves the FBI and the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General, who have participated in interviews with these former employees. Following the news, shares of UnitedHealth fell by 1.1% in premarket trading.

U.S. News

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Apple names new chief operating officer

Apple has named senior vice president of operations Sabih Khan as its new chief operating officer, succeeding Jeff Williams. The company said the move is part of a long-planned succession. Mr. Williams will continue to oversee Apple’s design team, the Apple Watch and the company’s health initiatives until he retires later this year. The design group will then report directly to chief executive Tim Cook.

Hershey appoints new CEO

Hershey has named Kirk Tanner as its new chief executive, appointing him to succeed Michele Buck, who is set to retire next year. He joins the company from restaurant chain Wendy's, little over a year after he became CEO. Mr Tanner will take over at Hershey on August 18th, a month after he departs Wendy's, which has appointed chief financial officer Ken Cook as interim chief.

Reuters

TALENT MANAGEMENT

Delta's skills-first transformation success

Delta Air Lines has successfully implemented a skills-first approach to talent management, as highlighted by Brian Wright, Director of Global Leadership, Learning & Development, who stated: “At Delta, growing our people has always been a top priority.” The airline removed degree requirements for over 90% of jobs, fostering new career pathways. Delta's transformation was supported by strong leadership buy-in and cross-functional collaboration, ensuring a well-coordinated initiative. The introduction of the Talent Hub and AI-powered tools aims to enhance employee skills and performance. Despite initial concerns about undervaluing degrees, Delta emphasised that skills complement traditional credentials. This strategic shift demonstrates how large organisations can effectively manage change and cultivate a skills-driven culture, ultimately benefiting both employees and customers.

Forbes

INTERNATIONAL

Retirement age rise sparks outrage

As South Korea considers raising the retirement age, a new report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) highlights the pressing issue of age-based discrimination in the workplace. The report reveals that the “peak wage” system leads to significant salary reductions for older workers. The study indicates that 95% of large firms enforce a retirement age of 60, affecting 3.1m workers, and contributing to high elderly poverty rates, with 38% of over 65s living below the poverty line. Bridget Sleap, the report's author, emphasises that these policies deny older workers the chance to continue in their roles, urging the government to stop punishing them for their age. Legal experts warn that merely raising the retirement age could exacerbate existing discrimination.

The Guardian

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