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Tensions, Layoffs and DEI Shift
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📊 HR Trends: US Government to Shed 317 000 Workers This Year
The federal workforce reduction plan announced by the Office of Personnel Management, under the Scott Kupor-led initiative, projects the elimination of about 317,000 civilian positions in 2025—higher than earlier estimates. Amid this, approximately 68,000 new hires are planned. The move forms part of the administration’s stated goal of resizing what it calls a “bloated” federal workforce. The announcement signals major implications for public sector HR teams, particularly around redeployment, attrition management and internal communications. HR leaders should be ready for ripple effects across talent markets as public- and private-sector mobility shifts. Read more.
🎧 HR Insights: Inside Society for Human Resource Management: Tensions, Layoffs and DEI Shift
Under CEO Johnny C. Taylor Jr., SHRM has grown revenue and membership, yet internal sources describe a punitive culture with strict rigidities around attendance, dress code and frequent restructurings. Staff allege the removal of “equity” from its DEI stance and the organization’s own lawsuit exposure has damaged its credibility as an HR standards-setter. The case raises questions about alignment between external brand and internal culture for HR associations.
💡 HR Tips & Tricks
Tip of the Day: Create a “role clarity sheet” for every manager. It lists what the role does, what it does not do, and how success is measured. This reduces confusion, cuts back on rework and helps new hires settle in faster.
Trick of the Day: Add a five-minute “context check” at the start of every meeting. Ask each person to share one short update that affects their work that day. This small step uncovers issues early and avoids misunderstandings later.
🧾 HR Case Files: Court Strikes Down Selective Enforcement Defence by State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company in ADA Retaliation Claim
A decision by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals revived a retaliation claim under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for an employee who helped a colleague request an accommodation, and was then placed under intense scrutiny for timekeeping errors while peers were treated more leniently. The court underscored that even accurate findings do not shield an employer if applied selectively in a biased way. HR departments must assess consistent application of policies and document decision-rationale against similar cases.
Key Takeaways
Policies must be enforced consistently across employees, not just in isolated instances.
HR should document why escalation (versus coaching) was chosen relative to comparable behaviour.
Protected activity (helping a colleague) can expose employees to retaliation risk even if the misconduct is real.
Investigation must show neutral decision-maker’s independence, not just supervisor referral with bias potential.
🧰 HR Toolbox
Stay equipped with the latest HR events and resources.
Resource of the Day - Cybersecurity and Compliance Metrics That Speak Business
Cybersecurity leaders are turning to outcome-driven metrics to help gain board trust. Robin Das and Anna Delaney explain how clean data and metrics based on outcomes can help gain stakeholder alignment, show real-world impact and win board support. Learn how these strategies are reshaping conversations around cybersecurity and compliance and how DataBee, powered by AWS, is helping teams show real business impact with board-ready dashboards and reporting. Get Your Copy
Event of the Day - CultureCon Webinar
In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, understanding and leveraging the strengths of a multigenerational workforce is key to organizational success. With Millennials and Gen Z now making up the majority of the workforce, leaders must adapt their strategies to bridge generational differences and foster a cohesive, high-performing environment. Learn more about how you can bridge this divide at CultureCon Webinar, happening on December 9th from 11:30 AM.
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