Human Times

North American Edition

12th January 2026

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THE HOT STORY

Colorado cracked open the culture of secrecy around salaries

Bloomberg reports on how Colorado sparked an international trend for salary transparency when it started forcing employers to include pay ranges in job postings in 2021. Since then, about a dozen other US states have adopted similar requirements, and the European Union will follow suit later this year. Colorado’s law mandates employers to specify pay ranges, and also related benefits such as healthcare, in all job postings. The rule also prohibits employers from asking job candidates about their pay history or using it to determine wages. Such practices have been identified as perpetuating the pay discrimination often faced by women.

Bloomberg

2026 COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

January 1, 2026: New year brings 145+ new compliance requirements

Hello 2026 and hello to a slew of new federal, state and local employment law requirements! While we can’t predict everything 2026 will bring, we can help you and your HR team stay in compliance with the new January 1 employment law updates.

These new laws – more than 145 in total – affect employers in more than 20 states and dozens of localities and cover an array of topics from minimum wage to benefits to leave and more…

For a complete list of the new January 1 compliance updates by jurisdiction, download our guide and get your organization compliant today.

Stay compliant in 2026 here

WORKFORCE

Thousands of New York City nurses go on strike

Thousands of nurses at major New York City hospitals went on strike on Monday. Nearly 15,000 nurses walked off the job after the failure of negotiations over a complicated array of issues, marking the largest strike in city history, according to Nancy Hagans, president of the New York State Nurses Association. Key issues included staffing levels and safety measures, particularly regarding the use of artificial intelligence. Hospitals claim they have improved staffing since 2023, but nurses argue that promises are not being met.

U.S. News

HIRING

December job growth slows, marking end to tepid hiring year

The Labor Department published its December job report on Friday, revealing that American employers added a seasonally-adjusted 50,000 jobs, while the unemployment rate fell to 4.4%. Economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal had expected 73,000 new jobs to be added. Losses for October and November were revised down, meaning employment was 76,000 lower than previously reported in those two months. Job gains in December were largely driven by food services, health care and social assistance, with losses concentrated in retail trade and manufacturing. Average hourly earnings increased 3.8% from a year earlier to $37.02. “It’s fair to say that 2025 was a hiring recession in the United States,” commented Heather Long, chief economist at Navy Federal Credit Union. “The United States is experiencing a jobless boom where growth is strong, but hiring is not. It’s a great scenario for Wall Street, but an uneasy feeling on Main Street.”

ECONOMY

Trump calls for 10% cap on credit-card interest rates

Donald Trump has proposed a one-year cap of 10% on credit-card interest rates, starting January 20, to address cost-of-living pressures. Average U.S. card rates are about 23%. Supporters say lower- and middle-income borrowers would benefit most, though banks warn caps could restrict credit access or lead to higher fees. Industry groups oppose the plan, while bipartisan backing has emerged from figures including Bernie Sanders. Similar past efforts have struggled to gain congressional approval.

Reuters

The Wall Street Journal

LEGAL

Vance announces new assistant attorney general to root out ‘fraud’

Vice President JD Vance has announced plans for a Senate-confirmed DOJ assistant attorney general with “nationwide jurisdiction over the issue of fraud” to be “run out of the White House.” Vance said the appointee will initially focus on alleged fraud in Minnesota - but that it will be a “nationwide effort, because unfortunately, the American people have been defrauded in a very nationwide way.”

Politico

TECHNOLOGY

AI will free households from chores and boost hidden productivity, says OpenAI

Aaron Chatterji, OpenAI’s chief economist, tells the Financial Times that AI will save time on household chores that “mostly fall on women” and allow more space for work or play.

Financial Times

REGULATION

FDA 'to limit regulation of health and fitness wearables'

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced new guidance to limit its regulation of wearable devices and software aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles. FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said: "We want to let companies know, with very clear guidance, that if their device or software is simply providing information, they can do that without FDA regulation." The guidance classifies low-risk wellness tools, such as fitness apps and activity trackers, as non-medical devices exempt from strict regulation, as long as they do not make medical claims. The move follows a warning issued to WHOOP for its blood-pressure insights feature, which was said to blur the line between wellness and medical devices.

U.S. News

RISK

Goldman Sachs warns of potential power shortages in U.S. by 2030

Goldman Sachs has issued a cautionary report predicting that the U.S. electricity grid may experience significant power shortages by 2030 due to inadequate infrastructure and rising demand. The report highlights the urgent need for investment and reform in energy production and distribution systems to avert crises. Experts caution that without immediate action, the anticipated strain on the grid could lead to regular blackouts and other service disruptions.

Bloomberg

INTERNATIONAL

Google employee in U.K. made redundant ‘for reporting sexual harassment’

Senior Google U.K. employee Victoria Woodall claims she was made redundant after she blew the whistle on a manager who had apparently told a female client about being a swinger and showed another an intimate picture of his wife. Woodall told an employment tribunal she was subjected to a campaign of retaliation by the company after whistleblowing on the man who was later sacked. Google denies retaliation against Woodall and argues she became "paranoid" after whistleblowing and began to view normal business activities as "sinister." Woodall says her boss subjected her to a "relentless campaign of retaliation."

The Times

BBC News

Cathay Pacific cuts some jobs in efficiency push

Cathay Pacific Airways is seeking to identify savings and efficiencies as it prepares for a slower rate of growth this year. The airline is targeting savings of about 5% on non-operational staff, and there will be a limited number of job cuts for Hong Kong and overseas staff. The airline also said it has plans to hire 3,000 people this year. Cathay spokesman Andy Wong said the carrier is “dedicated to continuously assessing and refining our operations and organization to ensure optimal delivery of our long-term strategic goals.”

Bloomberg

OTHER

Mattel unveils groundbreaking autistic Barbie

Mattel has launched an autistic Barbie, expanding its Fashionistas line to promote diversity. Developed over 18 months with the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, the doll features design elements reflecting autistic traits, such as slightly shifted eyes and articulated limbs for stimming. The A-line dress and flat shoes cater to sensory sensitivities. Each doll includes a fidget spinner, noise-canceling headphones, and a communication tablet. Jamie Cygielman, Mattel's global head of dolls, said: "We're proud to introduce our first autistic Barbie as part of that ongoing work." The doll retails for $11.87 and is available online and at Target.

CNN

USA Today

US News and World Report

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