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North American Edition
3rd October 2025
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THE HOT STORY

Layoffs across the U.S. at highest level in five years

Employers across the U.S. cut nearly 950,000 jobs this year through September, the largest number of layoffs since 2020, according to a report published on Thursday from global outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Companies last month announced plans to add 117,313 jobs, down 71% from a year earlier and marking the weakest September for hiring intentions since 2011. The report also noted a major slowdown in seasonal hiring plans compared to recent years. Hiring plans so far this year have totaled 204,939, the lowest year-to-date since 2009 when the economy was just emerging from the Great Recession. "Right now, we're dealing with a stagnating labor market, cost increases and a transformative new technology," said Andrew Challenger, senior vice president at Challenger, Gray & Christmas. "With rate cuts on the way, we may see some stabilizing in the fourth quarter, but other factors could keep employers planning layoffs or holding off hiring." With no jobs data forthcoming from the federal government due to a full shutdown, economists will be looking closely at information from alternate sources, including the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, which estimates that the September jobless rate stood at 4.3%, unchanged from August.
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WORKPLACE CULTURE

Improve civility, reduce retaliation, and boost employee trust

Workplace civility is the top reported risk type in 2025 – yet less than half of organizations have a non-retaliation policy, and only 29% have processes to detect retaliation.

NAVEX’s 2025 State of Risk & Compliance Report offers HR leaders a data-backed lens into how workplace transparency, reporting, and culture trends are evolving globally.

You’ll uncover:
  • How retaliation risks are impacting employee trust
  • What high-performing programs do to foster safe reporting
  • Regional differences in third-party screening and ESG priorities
Use this report to guide year-end culture initiatives and align HR with broader compliance goals — before planning season begins.

Download the report to build a safer, more ethical workplace.

 
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WORKPLACE

Ford investigates vulgar anti-return-to-office message

Ford Motor is investigating the display of a vulgar anti-return-to-office message at the automaker's Dearborn corporate buildings. An image of the face of Ford CEO Jim Farley with a red prohibition symbol over it appeared on monitors in conference rooms around 9 a.m. "[Expletive] RTO," the display read. "We're aware of the inappropriate use of Ford's IT technology and are investigating it," Ford spokesperson Dave Tovar said. In June, Ford announced that it was calling the majority of its salaried workforce back to the office four days a week. “Many of our employees have been in the office three or more days per week for some time now. We believe working together in person on a day-to-day basis will help accelerate Ford's transformation into a higher growth, higher margin, less cyclical and more dynamic company," a Ford spokesperson said at the time. The updated policy took effect September 1.
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LEGAL

Boeing expands plans to replace striking workers

An internal memo shared with Reuters indicates Boeing is expanding plans to replace striking St. Louis-area workers who assemble fighter jets and munitions with new hires. The first replacement workers for munitions production and assembly mechanics will begin training today, according to the memo from Boeing Vice President Dan Gillian. More than 3,000 members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 837 have been on strike since August 4.
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WORKFORCE

South Korean workers to be allowed in U.S. under existing visas

The United States has agreed to allow South Korean workers to operate equipment at U.S. investment sites under existing temporary visas, following a recent immigration raid that resulted in the detention of numerous South Korean workers at a Hyundai Motor battery facility in Georgia. While U.S. officials confirmed that South Koreans could use the ESTA visa waiver program and B-1 temporary visas for short-term assignments, they did not provide a clear solution to South Korea's request for broader access to specialty worker visas. The South Korean government continues to advocate for legislative changes to create new visa categories for skilled workers, as the current system poses challenges for their entry into the U.S.

Lego Store employees unite to build union

Lego Store employees at Downtown Disney in Anaheim are advocating for unionization, marking a significant step as the first retail Lego workers in the U.S. to attempt to organize. Hunter Gulino, a brick specialist, said: “We want to build the best workplace possible here at Downtown Disney”. The campaign, initiated in March with the help of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 324, follows a minimum wage law that prompted wage increases but also led to reduced hours for employees. Issues such as inadequate air conditioning have further fuelled the desire for union representation. With over 60 eligible non-managerial staff, the union petition has been submitted, and if Lego does not voluntarily recognize it, employees may seek a National Labor Relations Board election.
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HEALTH & WELLBEING

Board overseeing claims for sick nuclear workers is restored

The White House has reinstated the HHS Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health, which is crucial for approving medical claims from nuclear workers exposed to high radiation. The decision follows the board's suspension in January, which left many claims unresolved. Eligible workers can receive a $150,000 payment and medical insurance if they link their cancers to radiation exposure. Debbie Jordan, a pancreatic cancer survivor, expressed her relief, saying: "I have tears in my eyes thinking of everyone and how much help and hope it gives them." The board will operate until at least September 30, 2027.
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CORPORATE

In-house lawyer hiring surges

The number of in-house counsel has surged by 87% from 2008 to 2024, increasing from 78,000 to 145,000 attorneys, according to the Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC), referencing Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Veta Richardson, ACC president and CEO, said: “These findings affirm what our members have experienced firsthand: Corporations are increasingly valuing the vital role in-house legal teams play in business operations and strategy, especially solving problems related to regulatory compliance, ethics, privacy and risk.”
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INTERNATIONAL

Strikes held across France against spending cuts

A nationwide strike called yesterday by France's major labor unions is the latest in a series of protests that started last month. The unions want Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu to ditch draft budget measures proposed by his predecessor, including social welfare freezes and austerity measures. Protesters took to the streets of more than 200 towns and cities. In Paris, at least 24,000 workers, retirees and students started marching from Place d'Italie. “The social anger is extremely strong,” CGT union leader Sophie Binet told French TV BFMTV.

Thousands of jobs at risk in Africa as trade deal ends

The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a major U.S.-Africa trade deal, ended on Tuesday, removing duty-free access to U.S. markets for many African products. The termination poses significant risks for industries reliant on AGOA, particularly in Kenya, where textile exports have surged from $50m to $500m since 2000. Pankaj Bedi, owner of United Aryan, an apparel manufacturer in Nairobi that exports Levi's and Wrangler jeans to the U.S., observed: "If AGOA goes away we have zero chance to compete with the Asian countries." The end of AGOA could jeopardise 1.3m jobs across Africa.

Six million Italian workers to retire in next 10 years

Italy's workforce is set to lose over 6.1m people due to retirements in the next decade, warns Natale Forlani, president of the National Institute for the Analysis of Public Policy (INAPP). "In just 10 years, about 6.1m Italians will exit the labor market," Forlani told a hearing of the parliamentary commission of inquiry into the demographic transition "It's a generational exodus that risks leaving the country without replacement workers and putting the resilience of welfare system into crisis." He said that working-age population (20-64) will will shrink by 34% by 2060.

Mass protests and strikes in Madagascar

Protests in Madagascar have intensified as thousands demand President Andry Rajoelina's resignation. Demonstrators staged strikes and marches, citing misgovernance and ongoing water and power cuts. Police clashed with protesters in Antananarivo, where around 10,000 people had gathered. At least 22 people have died amid the unrest, according to the UN.
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OTHER

Apple pulls ICE tracking apps after White House pressure campaign

Apple has removed ICEBlock, a popular app that alerts users to the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, following a request from President Donald Trump's administration. In a statement, Apple said: "Based on information we've received from law enforcement about the safety risks associated with ICEBlock, we have removed it." U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi indicated that the Justice Department contacted Apple to enforce the removal, citing concerns that the app could endanger ICE agents. Rights advocates have expressed worries about potential infringements on free speech and due process amid the government's aggressive deportation efforts.
 
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