Human Times
The latest business Intelligence for HR professionals and people managers everywhere
Sign UpOnline Version
Human Times Logo
North American Edition
8th April 2026
 
Industry Slice Icon Logo

THE HOT STORY

Sony Pictures Entertainment to cut hundreds of film and TV jobs

Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced a shift in business strategy, precipitating job cuts across its film, TV and corporate divisions. “As we lean into those priorities, we need to operate with greater focus, speed, and alignment to strengthen our differentiated capabilities,” Chief Executive Officer Ravi Ahuja wrote in a note to staff. “To support our growth, we are aligning our organization with where the business is going — not where it has been. That requires changes to how we are structured and where we invest.”  The company declined to specify how many would lose their jobs.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

CYBERSECURITY

Jones Day hit by cyber attack

Jones Day has confirmed a cyber attack linked to the Silent Ransom Group which accessed files related to 10 clients. The firm described the incident as a "phishing incident" where an "unauthorized third party accessed a limited number of dated files." All affected clients have been informed, but the firm has not disclosed their identities. Hacker group Silent specifically targets American law firms, stealing data and extorting them, according to a 2025 FBI alert. The hackers take advantage of the “the highly sensitive nature of legal industry data,” according to the FBI.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

HIRING

Burger King launches 60,000 hiring push amid turnaround success

Burger King plans to hire nearly 60,000 employees across its 6,500 restaurants as rising customer traffic and improved sales driven by its “Reclaim the Flame” turnaround strategy increase staffing needs. The expansion follows significant investment in marketing, digital upgrades and store modernization, with franchisees leading recruitment efforts to support growing demand and sustain momentum in the brand’s recovery.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

STRATEGY

GoPro deepens cost cuts

GoPro plans to cut 23% of its workforce, or 145 employees, as it tries to restore profitability amid weaker revenue and broader macroeconomic pressures. The layoffs, approved under a restructuring plan, are scheduled for the second quarter and should be completed by year end. GoPro expects to record $11.5m to $15m in related charges, including severance and healthcare costs. The company has already reduced expenses and expanded into new hardware, software, and AI products, but it still reported a fourth-quarter loss and faces ongoing tariff, memory cost, and supply challenges.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

LEADERSHIP

H&R Block CEO: Fear of reaching out holds many back from leadership roles

H&R Block chief executive Curtis Campbell has said the biggest barrier preventing middle managers from reaching the C-suite is a deeply human fear of rejection that stops them from seeking mentorship, building relationships, and learning from others. Campbell, who rose from a modest background to lead the company, emphasized that career advancement depends less on raw intelligence and more on persistence, strong performance, and a willingness to ask for guidance. He encourages professionals to actively seek out colleagues with specific strengths, noting that learning directly from high performers can accelerate development more than formal programs. He stresses that visibility and networking only matter when backed by consistently high-quality work, arguing that credibility is built through excellence in any role. Ultimately, Campbell said those who overcome hesitation, deliver strong results, and proactively learn from others are more likely to break out of mid-level roles and advance into senior leadership. 
Industry Slice Icon Logo

LEGAL

Treasury department launches fraud whistleblower program

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has launched a new anti-fraud whistleblower program. Managed by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, the goal of the program is to recover hundreds of billions of dollars in stolen taxpayer funds and reward the tipsters who help the federal government find the money. “Individuals located in the United States or abroad who provide information may be eligible for awards if the information they provide leads to a successful enforcement action that results in monetary penalties exceeding $1,000,000,” stated one of the confidential Treasury documents obtained by The New York Post.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

REGULATION

CFTC official says agency will focus on core misconduct areas

David Miller, the new enforcement director at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), has said the regulator will focus on ‌policing misconduct including insider trading in prediction markets and manipulation in energy markets. The agency, which oversees commodities and swaps markets, will focus on a handful of enforcement areas, also including market abuse such ​as spoofing and willful violations of laws designed to prevent money laundering, Miller ​said in his first public remarks since joining the CFTC last month. “Unfortunately there’s a myth in mainstream media and social media that insider trading doesn’t apply in the prediction markets,” Miller said at a panel at New York University. “That is wrong.”
Industry Slice Icon Logo

ECONOMY

U.S. consumer confidence rises despite lingering economic concerns

U.S. consumer confidence unexpectedly improved in March, with the Conference Board index rising to 91.8 from 91.0, driven by more positive assessments of current business and labor market conditions. However, expectations for the next six months declined, highlighting continued caution among consumers. Despite the uptick, confidence remains relatively subdued as inflation concerns, particularly linked to rising energy costs amid the Iran conflict, intensify. Labor market perceptions were mixed, with more consumers saying jobs are both plentiful and hard to get, while spending intentions showed strength for big-ticket items like appliances but weakness for housing and travel.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

INTERNATIONAL

ABC proposes new pay offer to staff

Australian national broadcaster ABC has proposed a new pay offer following a 24-hour strike last month. The updated proposal includes annual pay increases of 4% in the first year and 3.25% in the following two years, along with clearer progression pathways through pay bands. Unions will consult members before a vote on the offer. Michael Slezak, co-chair of the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA), noted that while the offer does not address all the union's concerns, it represents significant progress. However, issues regarding job protection from artificial intelligence remain unresolved.

Employee disengagement is affecting Singapore business

Over 80% of employers in Singapore report that employee disengagement is impacting their business, according to a survey by recruitment agency Robert Walters. The survey revealed that 65% of workers experience so-called "quiet cracking," a state whereby employees appear present but struggle internally due to pressure and job uncertainty. The phenomenon can, it is claimed, lead to a decline in well-being and productivity. Kirsty Poltock, country manager of Robert Walters Singapore, emphasized the need for leaders to care for their employees to foster a motivated work environment. The report warns of a potential "engagement recession" in 2026 if these issues are not addressed.

Working through conflict: staff across Middle East adapt to war

The Financial Times reports on how workers across the Middle East are adapting to a war which has shattered daily routines for millions throughout the region.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

OTHER

American Heart Association clashes with U.S. government over new diet guidance

The American Heart Association (AHA) has issued updated dietary advice recommending plant-based protein, low-fat dairy and healthier oils, directly contradicting recent U.S. government guidelines that promote red meat and full-fat dairy. The AHA says its guidance is based on decades of evidence linking diets rich in beans, lentils and vegetables, and low in processed meats, to reduced risk of heart disease, while warning that the government’s approach could harm public health. The divergence highlights growing tensions between medical bodies and policymakers, with experts concerned conflicting advice may confuse consumers and worsen already high rates of cardiovascular disease.
 
Industry SLice Logo

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.
Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe