Human Times
The latest business Intelligence for HR professionals and people managers everywhere
Sign UpOnline Version
Human Times Logo
North American Edition
6th February 2026
 
Industry Slice Icon Logo

THE HOT STORY

Trump rule weakens job protections

A new policy has been finalized that would strip job protections from up to 50,000 federal workers by expanding at-will status beyond roughly 4,000 political appointees to include certain career employees in policy-related roles. The 255-page rule does not specify which positions will be covered; OPM director Scott Kupor said the White House will decide. It also shifts whistle-blower complaints for affected workers from the Office of Special Counsel to internal agency handling. The change follows broader efforts to reshape the federal workforce, with about 352,000 employees leaving in 2025. Critics warn it enables patronage and retaliation; Max Stier called it “a huge increase of at-will employment,” while the White House said loyalty tests and discrimination are “explicitly” prohibited.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

WORKFORCE

Layoff plans jump, hiring slows

New data points to a weak start to the U.S. labor market in early 2026, with slower hiring, fewer openings, and a surge in layoff announcements. Job openings fell by 386,000 in December to the lowest level since September 2020, and Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported 108,400 planned cuts in January, the highest January total since 2009. ADP estimated private employers added just 22,000 jobs in January, and initial jobless claims rose to 231,000. Lisa Simon of Revelio Labs said: “It’s trudging along.” Markets fell about 0.7% on the jobs news. Economists are awaiting the government’s January jobs report, due February 11, with expectations around 60,000 added jobs.  

Budget reverses 2026 health cuts

A newly signed bipartisan budget reverses earlier 2026 plans to cut health agencies. The law boosts the National Institutes of Health instead of reducing it and fully funds centers that had been slated for elimination. Senator Tammy Baldwin said the goal is to “rein in an agency that has gone rogue.” The measure adds detailed requirements on funding and staffing to limit unilateral executive-branch moves. Even so, agency staff remain doubtful the changes will be carried out as intended, particularly under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Brookings’ Richard Frank said accountability will matter only “if their feet are held to the fire.”

Funding freeze halts Gateway Tunnel work

The Gateway Tunnel construction in west Manhattan is facing a critical halt as funding is set to run out. On the final day of operations, heavy machinery sat idle on the $16bn project, with 1,000 workers uncertain about their future. “The majority of the workforce will be let go,” said Jim Stereis, chief of program delivery at the Gateway Development Commission. Chief executive Tom Prendergast mentioned ongoing discussions with federal officials regarding funding, but without a resolution, work will cease. Meanwhile, New Jersey and New York have filed lawsuits against the Trump administration for freezing funding, claiming it breaches contracts signed in 2014.

Bridging the generational gap at work

In a diverse U.S. workforce with at least five generations, communication styles can vary significantly. Barbara Goldberg, chief executive of a Florida public relations firm, noted that younger employees often focus on digital trends, while older colleagues prefer traditional media. To bridge this gap, companies are implementing reverse mentoring programs, allowing younger staff to teach seasoned employees about new technologies and cultural trends. "The generational differences, to me, are something to leverage. It's like a superpower," Goldberg said. Programs at Estée Lauder and other organizations have shown that these initiatives not only enhance understanding but also improve workplace dynamics, fostering mutual respect and collaboration across age groups.

Tax cut lawsuit heats up in Massachusetts

A coalition of union leaders and community activists has filed a lawsuit to block a proposed reduction in Massachusetts' personal income tax rate from 5% to 4% over three years. The lawsuit claims the petition wording was "misleading and deceptive," failing to mention that the cuts would apply to all income tax categories, including capital gains taxes. Plaintiffs argue that the tax cuts would primarily benefit the wealthiest 1% of taxpayers, leading to "massive state budget cuts" that would harm public services.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

LEGAL

EEOC shifts power, slows lawsuits

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has implemented a new requirement for commissioner approval before initiating most lawsuits, significantly increasing the power of the Republican-led commission. In a recent private vote, the EEOC revoked the longstanding litigation authority previously held by the agency's general counsel and regional attorneys. This change allows the commission, chaired by Andrea Lucas, to review nearly all new cases, including routine matters. Lucas has indicated a shift in litigation priorities, focusing on challenging diversity programs and emphasizing religious discrimination. As she noted, this move could "slow the pace and number of cases brought" by the agency.

Starbucks lawsuit dismissed by judge

A federal judge in Missouri dismissed a lawsuit from the Republican-led state accusing Starbucks of using diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives as a cover for discrimination based on race, gender, and sexual orientation. U.S. District Judge John Ross stated that the state failed to demonstrate any discrimination against "even a single Missouri resident" associated with Starbucks. The lawsuit, initiated by former Attorney General Andrew Bailey, alleged that Starbucks unlawfully linked executive compensation to achieving racial and gender hiring quotas. The case sought to compel Starbucks to cease alleged discriminatory practices and pay damages. This ruling follows a similar dismissal of a shareholder lawsuit in Washington, emphasizing that such public policy issues are best left to lawmakers rather than the courts.

Uber loses assault bellwether trial

A federal jury in Phoenix ordered Uber to pay $8.5m to Jaylynn Dean, who said she was sexually assaulted by a driver when she was 19. The jury found the driver was an agent of Uber, making the company liable, but awarded only compensatory damages and no punitive damages. The case was the first bellwether trial among more than 3,000 similar federal lawsuits and could shape settlement values. Uber said it will appeal and noted the jury rejected claims that it was negligent or that its safety systems were defective, saying the verdict “affirms that Uber acted responsibly.” Dean’s lawyer Sarah London said it “validates the thousands of survivors.”

Settlement shakes up Des Moines police

Former Des Moines police Major Lillie Parker received nearly $1m in a settlement related to an employment claim, as approved by the Des Moines City Council. The confidential agreement, which cites alleged emotional distress, awarded Parker $507,211 for emotional distress, along with additional payments to her attorneys. Parker resigned from her position on January 30 as part of the settlement, which does not admit fault by the city. Parker, who made history as the first African American female sergeant in the department, was not selected as a finalist for the police chief position despite being the top pick from the Des Moines Civil Service Commission.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

TECHNOLOGY

Finance leaders embrace AI

Finance teams are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence, but most are still struggling to demonstrate clear returns on their investments, according to Deloitte’s Finance Trends 2026 survey. While 63% of finance leaders say AI is fully deployed in their functions, only 21% report clear, measurable value so far, and just 14% have fully integrated AI agents into day-to-day finance operations. The gap reflects challenges moving beyond pilots, with legacy systems, unclear ROI, and data complexity slowing progress. Data privacy is also a major concern, especially given the sensitivity of financial information. Despite these hurdles, confidence remains high: nearly nine in 10 chief financial officers expect AI to be critical to finance operations.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Microsoft taps Google Cloud exec to lead security

Microsoft is replacing its chief security officer, Charlie Bell, with Hayete Gallot, a senior executive from Google Cloud, as it continues to strengthen its cybersecurity posture. Bell, who joined Microsoft in 2021 after a long career at Amazon Web Services, will move into an individual contributor role focused on engineering quality and cloud infrastructure, while continuing to report to chief executive Satya Nadella. Gallot, formerly president of customer experience at Google Cloud and a Microsoft veteran of more than 15 years, will become executive vice president for security.

Toyota taps CFO as CEO

Toyota said its chief financial officer, Kenta Kon, will become chief executive on April 1, replacing Koji Sato, who will shift to vice chairman after three years in the top role. The change comes as Toyota faces higher tariffs in the U.S. and intensifying competition and supply-chain risks linked to China, including threats to restrict rare-earth exports to Japan. Kon is described as a steady operator who helped Toyota navigate Covid-era supply disruptions by stockpiling semiconductors.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

INTERNATIONAL

AI reshapes China's job landscape

The rise of AI is transforming China's labour market, creating new roles and enhancing employee skills. Hu Pingping, an AI trainer at Xunfei Healthcare, exemplifies this shift, merging her medical expertise with AI technology. According to PwC's 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer, AI-related positions are increasing globally, with workers in this field earning a 56% wage premium. Liu Cong from iFLYTEK noted that AI is pushing the workforce towards higher-value roles. However, concerns about job displacement persist as AI technology evolves rapidly, challenging traditional career paths.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

AND FINALLY.....

From Kiss Cam to crisis comms

Kristin Cabot, the HR executive caught on a Kiss Cam during a Coldplay concert, is charging $875 per ticket for her upcoming speech titled "taking back the narrative." The incident, which occurred in April 2025, led to widespread speculation about her relationship with her married boss, Andy Byron. Cabot described the experience as public shaming, stating she felt branded with a "scarlet letter." Her speech, scheduled for April 16 at PRWeek's 2026 Crisis Comms Conference, aims to share her strategies for reclaiming her narrative, alongside PR expert Dini von Mueffling.
 
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