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North American Edition
22nd October 2025
 
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THE HOT STORY

Federal workers face paycheck crisis

As the government shutdown enters its 21st day, most federal employees will miss their scheduled October 24 paycheck due to a lapse in funding. While many are furloughed, essential personnel like military members and DHS law enforcement officers continue to work. Homeland Security’s Kristi Noem confirmed a "super check" for DHS officers on Oct. 22, and some military members were paid on October 15. Once appropriations are passed, all federal employees will receive back pay as mandated by the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act. President Trump, however, questioned whether some furloughed workers deserve retroactive pay.
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WORKFORCE

Clarification issued on new H-1B fee exemptions

USCIS clarified that the $100,000 H-1B visa fee, imposed in September, applies only to new applicants residing outside the U.S. The charge affects petitions filed on or after September 21 for individuals not currently holding H-1B status. It also applies to requests for consular or port of entry notifications. The fee must be paid before applying. Transitions from other visa types, like F-1 to H-1B, are exempt. President Trump defended the fee as a deterrent to program abuse, while lawsuits from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others argue the fee is unlawful.

Charter cuts 1,200 corporate jobs

Charter Communications is laying off 1,200 employees—just over 1% of its 95,000-strong workforce—mostly in corporate and back-office roles across the U.S., including at its Stamford, Connecticut headquarters. The cuts aim to streamline operations and will not affect sales or service staff. This follows similar moves by other media firms like NBCUniversal and Paramount. Charter’s subscriber numbers are declining, with broadband customers dropping by 117,000 year-over-year and video subscribers falling 5%. The company is pursuing a $21.9bn acquisition of Cox Cable to expand its customer base and improve competitive leverage.

Iowa's DOGE task force reveals efficiency plan

Governor Kim Reynolds has presented the Iowa DOGE task force's report, which outlines 45 recommendations aimed at enhancing efficiency in state and local government. The proposals include potential changes to the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS) and merit pay for teachers, both of which faced strong opposition from unions and bipartisan leaders. Reynolds emphasized that "IPERS isn't going anywhere," reassuring public sector employees about their retirement benefits.

Job seekers splurge to stand out

As job markets tighten, applicants in the U.S. and U.K. are spending significant amounts on tools to enhance their job search. Giovanna Ventola, a North Carolina resident, reported spending around $6,000 on services like resume writing and interview training. The average time to find a job in the U.S. has increased to six months, while the U.K. has seen a decline in job vacancies. Experts like Nancy D'Onofrio from Randstad noted the shift towards an employer-driven market, making it crucial for candidates to stand out. Ventola's community initiative, Rhize, supports job seekers in sharing resources and experiences.
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LEGAL

Amazon faces lawsuit over driver wages

New Jersey officials have filed a lawsuit against Amazon, alleging the company misclassified delivery drivers as independent contractors, denying them fair wages and benefits. The lawsuit, initiated by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin, claims that thousands of drivers for Amazon's Flex service have been deprived of rightful earnings and protections under state labor laws. The lawsuit seeks a jury trial and highlights the financial impact of misclassification on New Jersey taxpayers, who lost approximately $329.3m in benefits due to such practices. Amazon has defended its Flex program, asserting that it provides drivers with flexibility and fair compensation.

Walmart settles lawsuit over firing

Walmart Associates Inc. has settled a lawsuit filed by Angel Bazan, a former employee who claimed he was wrongfully terminated after requesting accommodations for his mental health conditions. The settlement was announced in a notice submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Bazan alleged that Walmart denied his requests for a leave of absence related to his bipolar and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, as well as a modified work schedule. This led to him accumulating attendance points that ultimately resulted in his dismissal.

Sony's legal twist: a surprise turn

In a surprising turn of events, Sony's legal battle with Christopher Barrett, a former executive at Bungie Inc., has taken an unexpected twist. Barrett conceded a lack of jurisdiction in his $200m lawsuit, while Sony insists the case should proceed in Delaware's Chancery Court. Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster expressed doubts about his jurisdiction, noting that Barrett's claims involve routine employment law theories. Barrett's complaint alleges that Bungie and Sony "cynically exploited the #MeToo movement for financial and reputational gain." The case highlights ongoing issues within the male-dominated video game industry, which has faced scrutiny following the #MeToo movement and Gamergate. Sony is represented by multiple law firms, while Barrett is backed by Bailey & Glasser LLP and others. 

Squarespace defends board minutes in lawsuit

Squarespace Inc. is defending its board minutes in response to a lawsuit from the Michigan Electrical Employees' Pension Fund, which claims the company's $7.2bn sale to Permira Advisers LLC may have favored insiders. The pension fund's lawsuit, Mich. Elec. Emp. Pension Fund v. Squarespace, Inc., is currently in the Delaware Chancery Court, with a hearing scheduled for October 21, 2025. Squarespace argues that the board minutes provide more insight than the CEO's emails requested by the pension fund. CEO Anthony Casalena is not named as a defendant in the case.
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HIRING

Amazon's holiday hiring spree begins

Amazon is preparing for the 2025 holiday season by hiring 250,000 seasonal, part-time, and full-time workers across the U.S., including rural areas. Regular employees can earn an average of $23 per hour, while seasonal workers can make over $19 per hour. To apply, visit amazon.com/localjobs or text NEWJOB to 31432 for alerts. The company stated that job openings will be posted weekly until December, ensuring ample opportunities for those seeking employment during the busy season.
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WORKPLACE

JPMorgan unveils $3bn HQ

JPMorgan Chase has opened its new $3bn headquarters in Midtown Manhattan, designed to accommodate 10,000 workers. David Arena, head of global corporate real estate, said: "We tried to future-proof the building." The tower features modern amenities, including biometric access, a building app, and a drone port. CEO Jamie Dimon emphasised the importance of the office environment for recruitment, saying: "A workplace needs to be a destination." The project recycled 97% of materials from the old building and is expected to enhance the bank's appeal to talent.
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO grapples with challenges

David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, faces significant challenges as the company is potentially up for sale amidst a bid from rival Paramount, led by David Ellison. Ellison, backed by his father Larry Ellison, is positioned financially to make a strong move against Warner Bros. Discovery. This situation has created a high-stakes environment for Zaslav as he seeks to preserve the future of the company amid looming competition.
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CYBERSECURITY

AWS outage exposes digital vulnerabilities

The recent AWS outage on October 21st, 2025, affected around 2,500 businesses and platforms, causing disruptions in services like gaming and fitness apps. Fortunately, the outage was due to a DNS error and was resolved quickly. However, Eric O'Neill, a former FBI operative, warned that reliance on major cloud providers poses risks to business operations. He emphasized the need for organisations to enhance internal resilience and adopt proactive cybersecurity measures. O'Neill noted that cybersecurity roles are rapidly growing, driven by the increasing threat of cybercrime, which is projected to cost $14trn this year.
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PRODUCTIVITY

AI coding: revolution or illusion?

AI's role in coding is evolving, but human oversight remains crucial. Tech CEOs like Dario Amodei of Anthropic claim that AI could write up to 90% of code within months. However, many engineers, including Colton Voege, express skepticism, noting that AI-generated code often requires significant cleanup. Boris Cherny, head of Anthropic's Claude Code unit, emphasized that "every line of code should be reviewed by an engineer," highlighting the limitations of AI tools. While some engineers report productivity boosts, studies show mixed results, with experienced developers taking longer to complete tasks when using AI. Concerns also arise about AI replacing junior coders and the environmental impact of large models. Amazon's spokesperson Tom Parnell stated that their AI tools help engineers work more efficiently, but the company does not mandate their use.

Cutting management could hurt productivity

Recent findings from Firstup reveal that cutting middle management can negatively impact employee engagement and productivity. The survey, which included 1,000 U.S. non-managerial employees, showed that over half rely on their direct managers for workplace updates. Bill Schuh, CEO of Firstup, noted that middle managers are essential for translating company priorities into actionable guidance. With 38% of respondents reporting less access to their managers post-layoffs, companies risk losing vital connections that support employee trust and development. Schuh warned that relying solely on AI for management tasks cannot replace the human connection needed for effective leadership.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Citi Foundation boosts youth employability

Citi Foundation is donating $25m to enhance youth employability through grants of $500,000 to 50 organizations worldwide. Ed Skyler, Citi Head of Enterprise Services and Public Affairs, emphasized the need for young people to be prepared for a rapidly evolving job market, stating: “What we want to do is make sure young people are as prepared as possible to find employment in a world that's moving really quickly.” The initiative aims to address skills gaps identified by employers, particularly in technology and soft skills. Grantees like NPower and Per Scholas will use the funds to provide digital literacy and vocational training, helping young adults navigate a challenging labor market impacted by automation and AI.
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INTERNATIONAL

Union demands pay protection for workers

A German labour union, Verdi, has urged the government to compensate workers at U.S. military bases in Germany for potential salary delays caused by the U.S. government shutdown. Approximately 12,000 civilian employees could be impacted. Verdi deputy leader Christine Behle stated: "Salary interruptions due to budget disputes are not permissible under German law." The German finance ministry is currently monitoring the situation, noting that past shutdowns did not disrupt pay for these employees. The U.S. army and embassy in Germany have not yet commented on the matter.
 
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