Human Times

North American Edition

15th October 2025

THE HOT STORY

Unions fight back against layoffs

Unions representing federal employees have requested a federal judge in San Francisco to stop the Trump administration's recent layoffs amid the ongoing government shutdown. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston is set to hear arguments from the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), which represent over 800,000 federal workers. "It's an illegal abuse of power designed to punish patriotic civil servants," said AFGE president Everett Kelley. The Trump administration contends that the court lacks jurisdiction over the case, while the unions argue that the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) guidance before the shutdown unlawfully directs agencies to disregard their legal obligations. The unions seek to invalidate actions stemming from this guidance, asserting that the layoffs are part of a broader effort to reshape the government.

NPR / National Public Radio

WORKFORCE

CDC cuts spark chaos and confusion

The recent layoffs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have left many employees and supporters in shock. Over the long weekend, around 600 staffers were cut as part of a broader initiative by the Trump Administration to reduce the federal workforce during the government shutdown. Initially, more than 1,300 employees received termination notices, but many were later reinstated. The cuts have raised concerns about the CDC's ability to respond to public health emergencies, with Dr. John Brooks warning that the firings undermine the nation's public health infrastructure. The national federal workers union is contesting the legality of these layoffs, which have already seen the CDC lose about 3,000 employees this year.

NPR / National Public Radio

Kaiser Permanente workers strike for pay

Tens of thousands of Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers in California and Hawaii initiated a five-day strike on Tuesday, demanding increased salaries and solutions to staffing shortages. The union is advocating for a 25% wage increase, citing inadequate raises from previous negotiations. Kaiser Permanente, however, labeled the strike “unnecessary and disruptive,” arguing that the union's demands would significantly raise its $6.3bn annual payroll. The company has proposed a 21.5% pay raise, which it claims would require cost reductions and could lead to higher rates for members.

Los Angeles Times

OregonLive.com

H-1B visa fee threatens rural schools

The Trump administration's recent announcement of a $100,000 fee for H-1B visas poses a significant threat to rural school districts, particularly in areas like Hardin, Montana. Superintendent Tobin Novasio expressed concern, stating: "To pay that fee on top of a salary is just gonna kill the H-1B for education." Many rural schools rely on international teachers to fill staffing gaps, with over 20,000 educators currently in the U.S. on H-1B visas. The new fee complicates efforts to retain teachers, as most educators earn far less than the proposed fee.

NPR / National Public Radio

Planned Parenthood cuts vital services

Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties announced it will cease primary care services for 13,000 patients due to a defunding provision in President Trump's budget reconciliation bill. The closure of Melody Health, which has provided essential services like birth control and cancer screenings for 12 years, will result in the layoff of 77 staff members effective December 13.

Los Angeles Times

HEALTH & SAFETY

Shutdown grounds aviation: chaos ensues

The ongoing U.S. government shutdown is severely impacting the aviation system, with reports of air traffic control tower closures and significant flight delays. “The tower is closed due to staffing,” was a startling message from a Los Angeles control tower, highlighting the staffing crisis. Since the shutdown began on October 1, the Federal Aviation Administration has noted controller shortages across major cities, leading to average flight delays of two-and-a-half hours. Experts warn that the aviation system, already stretched thin, could face deeper issues if the shutdown continues. Greg Raiff, CEO of Elevate Aviation Group, remarked: “It's like having a drought the year after you had a drought.” The situation echoes past shutdowns, with concerns that the current crisis may worsen staffing shortages and safety risks in the aviation sector.

U.S. News

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

BAE Systems leads the charge for women

BAE Systems has made significant strides in female representation within its leadership. Karin Hoeing, the director of culture and business transformation, noted her unique background helped her integrate into the predominantly male executive committee. The company now boasts five women among its twelve executives, earning it the 25th spot on Forbes' list of the World's Top Companies for Women 2025. Despite progress, challenges remain, with only 8.5% of CEOs in the S&P 500 being women. Hoeing emphasized the importance of role models in leadership for inspiring future female leaders.

Forbes

LEGAL

Davenport's $2m settlement sparks controversy

Fesia Davenport, L.A. County's chief executive officer, received a $2m settlement this summer due to the fallout from Measure G, a voter-approved measure that will soon render her position obsolete. In a letter to County Counsel Dawyn Harrison, Davenport expressed that she sought the settlement for “reputational harm, embarrassment, and physical, emotional and mental distress caused by the Measure G.” She stated, “Measure G has irrevocably changed my life, my professional career, economic outlook, and plans for the future.” The settlement, finalized in mid-August, was first reported by LAist. Davenport has since begun a medical leave and anticipates returning early next year. Measure G, which increases the number of supervisors to nine and transitions the county chief executive to an elected position by 2028, was announced by Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Janice Hahn in July.

Los Angeles Times

New lawsuit against Pitassi

Another former Pacific Office Automation employee has filed a lawsuit against ex-CEO Doug Pitassi, alleging sexual assault and misconduct. The lawsuit claims that Pitassi assaulted a regional office manager during a 2021 sales conference in Clearwater, Florida, where he allegedly spiked the manager's drink and assaulted him. The plaintiff, who is seeking at least $15m in damages, describes Pitassi's behavior as "severe, pervasive and sustained" over four years. This lawsuit marks at least the sixth instance of misconduct allegations against Pitassi, who has denied all claims.

OregonLive.com

INVESTMENT

Stellantis to invest $13bn in U.S.

Stellantis plans to invest $13bn over the next four years to enhance its manufacturing capacity in the United States. This investment aims to increase domestic vehicle production by 50% and create over 5,000 jobs across plants in Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. CEO Antonio Filosa stated: "This investment in the U.S. — the single largest in the company's history — will drive our growth." The investment will support the launch of five new vehicles, including a Dodge Durango and a midsize truck, while also addressing tariff costs on imports from Canada and Mexico.

U.S. News

STRATEGY

Orvis to close 31 stores nationwide

The Orvis Company, one of the oldest outdoor goods retailers in the U.S., plans to close 31 stores and five outlets in 2026 as part of a strategy to streamline operations. The closures aim to focus on core strengths and ensure the brand's longevity. Perkins emphasized that the changes are necessary for Orvis to continue leading in innovation and serving its communities. Founded in 1856 and privately owned by the Perkins family since 1965, Orvis currently employs around 1,500 people. The specific locations for closure have yet to be announced.

Al.com

PRODUCTIVITY

AI transforms workplace performance management

AI is reshaping performance management in organisations, moving away from traditional methods. Executives from companies like Headspace and BambooHR highlight that AI removes psychological barriers to honest feedback. This technology enables continuous development rather than annual evaluations, allowing for real-time insights into employee performance. Smaller, capable teams are becoming the norm, as AI handles routine tasks. The focus is now on enhancing manager capabilities, which are crucial for organisational success. As Sarah Franklin from Lattice noted: "We need to hold ourselves deeply accountable for what the AI is doing and why."

Forbes

LEADERSHIP

Politeness stifles employee growth

Dr Christian Marcolli argues that prioritising politeness over honest communication can hinder employee development. A survey by Joi AI found that 58% of ChatGPT users prefer more authentic interactions. Marcolli emphasises that true excellence arises from challenge, not comfort. He advocates for "leadership sparring," a collaborative approach that encourages constructive exchanges. This method fosters bold thinking and psychological safety within teams. Marcolli's new book, Winning Match: Leadership for Game Changers, outlines five principles for effective sparring, aiming to empower leaders to nurture their top talent and drive organisational success.

City A.M.

INTERNATIONAL

AI disrupts India’s back office

India’s IT sector is undergoing rapid transformation as generative AI tools, like those developed by startups such as LimeChat, replace customer-service roles. LimeChat claims its bots reduce support staffing needs by 80%, with co-founder Nikhil Gupta saying, "Once you hire a LimeChat agent, you never have to hire again." Despite consumer preference for human interaction, AI adoption is surging, leading to fewer job opportunities in traditional support roles. Industry experts, like Neeti Sharma of TeamLease Digital, report a sharp hiring slowdown. Critics, including academic Santosh Mehrotra, warn of poor government planning. Displaced workers, like Megha S., face rising job insecurity without adequate support.

Reuters

China raises hiring age limit

China's government has increased the maximum hiring age for some civil service roles from 35 to 43. This change aims to combat age discrimination in the job market, where many older workers have faced challenges. The new recruitment plan, published by the central government, also raises the age cap for other candidates to 38. This adjustment follows local government initiatives and comes amid a competitive labour market. "Public calls to eliminate rigid age barriers in government hiring are growing," a spokesperson noted. Additionally, China plans to gradually raise the retirement age to address population ageing.

South China Morning Post

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