Dec 17, 2025

1. Subject: Direct Connections with HR Leaders at NAHRES26

   Key info: North American HR Executive Summit (NAHRES26) offers access to 400+ top HR leaders, 91% director level or higher.

   Executives attending include Fiona Cicconi (CPO, Google), Betty Larson (EVP & CHRO, Merck), Katharyne Gabriel (CHRO, North America, Coca-Cola).

   Purpose: Networking and strategic discussions on workforce transformation.

2. Subject: The Problems with Performance Reviews and How to Fix Them

   Key info: Annual reviews often harmful; solutions offered to improve them.

   Additional content: HRIS Guide explaining software benefits, recruiting and retaining blue-collar talent, work-life balance for women leaders, and avoiding negligent hiring via updated reference checking and referral practices.

   Event: Serena Williams webinar on leadership and growth scheduled for December 17, 2025.

3. Subject: Dec. 16 – State AGs fight H-1B fee | Supreme Court passes on ADA cases

   Key info: State AGs sue to block $100,000 H-1B visa fee impacting schools, research institutions, healthcare.

   Supreme Court declined ADA back pay decision; plaintiff faced discrimination despite lacking disability.

   Marriott settled EEOC claim for revoking Sabbath accommodation.

   Content includes: benefits trends for 2026, leadership via purpose and grit, smarter GLP-1 benefits strategy, webinars on H-1B and mentoring programs.

   Industry news highlights lawsuits and regulatory developments affecting workforce and benefits.

4. Subject: Pay Transparency—7 Signs Your Organization Isn’t Ready

   Key info: Despite global movement and compliance requirements for pay transparency, many organizations resist due to readiness challenges.

   Insights: Employee expectations and equity pursuits drive pay transparency adoption; leaders often support but delay implementation.

   Additional resources: On-demand webinars on talent trends and EVP improvements.

5. Subject: Dec. 16 – Job market may be ‘turning frigid’ | Employers recalibrate for 2026

   Key info: Hiring slowdown expected; growth concentrated in healthcare; others sectors shrinking, e.g., transportation.

   Employers using data and AI to improve hiring efficiency and candidate experience.

   Lawsuit alleges JPMorgan conducted ‘fake’ interviews targeting Black candidates.

   State AGs continue legal action over Trump’s H-1B order fee.

   Related news covers AI hiring impacts and government initiatives for AI talent.

6. Subject: Dec. 16 – Are candidates job ready? | Corporate America risks losing progress for women

   Key info: Employers want proof of candidates’ job readiness beyond degrees, per Western Governors University report.

   Opinions: Leadership shouldn’t be ‘sink or swim’; diversity commitments dropping risking women’s advancement; increased job hunting predicted for early 2026.

   Also noted is an ‘autonomy crisis’ causing burnout; growth opportunities must be prioritized for retention.

7. Subject: Quiz: can you guess these HR policies from around the world?

   Key info: End-of-year quiz on varied global HR policies to test knowledge about international work practices.

   Feature story: ‘Cultural passport’ initiative reconnecting teams in government agency by linking everyday decisions to strategy.

   Additional articles: Importance of mentoring for career growth, AI’s evolving role in talent assessment, and HR’s role in AI business preparedness.

8. Subject: Inside employee financial wellness strategies

   Key info: Employees struggle with financial wellness and welcome employer support.

   HR integrates financial wellness across benefits, talent acquisition, and learning & development programs.

   Insights include: many workers don’t know how to enroll in benefits; disconnect between employer and employee views on retirement readiness.

9. Subject: Trends in Maximizing Benefits for 2026

   Key info: HR executives focus on addressing challenges like GLP-1 medication demand and costs.

   Findings: Over two-thirds are enhancing benefits and total rewards; half plan to expand GLP-1 coverage; about 75% want AI adoption to improve health outcomes and benefits navigation.

10. Subject: 2026’s Top Benefits Trends for HR Pros

    Key info: Infographic highlights four benefits trends for 2026 to support employee productivity and retention.

    Highlights: Educating employees on health and financial literacy and voluntary benefits usage; linking workplace stress and mental health support; practical steps for implementing these trends.

Stay Well!