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Recent Editions
Human Times
North America
IBM has agreed to pay roughly $17m to resolve allegations of illegal diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices. The DOJ had said the company “knowingly” made “false claims” about its hiring and employment practices in its federal contracts. IBM allegedly identified “diverse” candidates for hiring or promotions, while developing race and sex demographic goals. “IBM is pleased to have resolved this matter,” an IBM spokesperson told CNN. “Our workforce strategy is driven by a single principle: having the right people with the right skills that our clients depend on.”
Full Issue
Human Times
UK
The number of employment tribunals in Great Britain related to remote working fell by 13% in 2025, marking the first decline since the pandemic began. A total of 54 cases were decided, down from 62 in 2024, as rising unemployment and a tightening labour market shifted power towards employers. Jim Moore, an employee relations expert at Hamilton Nash, noted that many workers are opting to "keep their heads down" rather than challenge return-to-office mandates. The introduction of the right to request flexible working may also have encouraged employees to resolve disputes internally.
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Human Times
Europe
European gas and power markets are expanding trading hours to 21 hours from 10 hours amid sharp price swings. The lengthier trading day is expected to reshape how energy traders work and live, and some have voiced concerns about the erosion of work-life balance. Yet many say the change is a logical next step for a market that has been transformed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The new extended day is “an advantage for global players,” observed Marco Saalfrank, head of continental Europe merchant trading at Swiss-based Axpo Holding. “If something happens in the market that affects prices, they can react immediately.”
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Human Times
Middle East
Former Lafarge CEO Bruno Lafont has been sentenced to six years in prison for paying €5.6m to Islamic State (IS) and other terror groups in return for allowing the company’s workers continued access to its Syrian plant. Lafarge, which is now part of the Swiss conglomerate Holcim, paid the money via its subsidiary Lafarge Cement Syria (LCS). Seven other employees were also found guilty on terrorism charges. "These payments took the form of a genuine commercial partnership with the Islamic State," said presiding Judge Isabelle Prevost-Desprez. "This method of financing terrorist organisations, and primarily IS, was essential in enabling the terrorist organisation to gain control of Syria's natural resources, allowing it to finance terrorist acts within the region and those planned abroad, particularly in Europe."
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