Dec 18, 2025

1. New FMLA Ruling Updates:
2. A new Alabama court ruling clarifies Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) requirements related to expectant fathers’ leave rights.
3. HR professionals should review and adjust leave policies to ensure compliance with these updated father-specific leave rights.

4. The ruling signals increased oversight and the need for precise adherence to leave laws.

5. JPMorgan Chase Diversity Interview Lawsuit Insights:

6. JPMorgan Chase is facing a class-action lawsuit alleging ‘fake’ diversity interviews involving Black candidates.
7. This practice is deemed performative DEI, ethically and legally questionable, resulting in wasted candidate time and harm.
8. HR leaders must ensure their hiring processes are genuine and transparent to avoid reputational and legal risks.

9. A recommended mindset: treat policies as flexible hypotheses aimed at fairness, not rigid rules that might erode trust.

10. Workplace & Legal Developments Update (Dec. 17, 2025):

11. 11th Circuit Court ruled that poor treatment post-WFH accommodation is not necessarily evidence of disability bias.
12. Increasing use of “silent hours” in organizations to reduce digital noise and improve employee well-being.
13. Trump’s AI executive order introduces complex and unstable regulatory issues.
14. Employers value concrete proof of candidate job readiness beyond degrees.

15. Strategic benefits trends for 2026 are focusing on complex workforce challenges requiring thoughtful solutions.

16. Corporate Talent & Rewards Trends:

17. Only 25% of employers clearly explain their reward programs; there is a need to align reward strategies with evolving challenges.
18. Corporate boards prioritize succession planning and workforce readiness for 2026.
19. Employers seek tangible evidence of candidate capabilities, not just educational credentials.
20. “Silent hours” continue to gain traction as a tool to enhance employee digital wellbeing.

21. Employee surveys show mixed feelings about ability to disconnect during holidays, highlighting potential burnout risks.

22. Diversity & Inclusion Year-in-Review Highlights:

23. 2025 saw major shifts with some companies, including Apple, JPMorgan, Disney, and AT&T, altering their DEI commitments.
24. JPMorgan is notably under scrutiny for alleged systemic race discrimination and ‘fake’ diversity interviews.
25. A decline in diversity commitments risks jeopardizing progress made for women, many of whom are showing reduced interest in promotions.
26. Starbucks faces legal challenges over alleged illegal race-based hiring practices.

27. The corporate retreat from DEI programs is being criticized by experts as short-sighted, especially amid regulatory changes.

28. HR Podcast & Learning Resources Summary:

29. AHRI’s Let’s Take This Offline podcast highlights important topics for 2025 including building commercial acumen, influencing leadership, addressing impostor syndrome, and employee resilience.
30. Two HR leaders discuss strategies to combat a ‘quietly cracking’ workforce under pressure.
31. Upcoming HR professional development events offer a 15% end-of-year discount for subscribers.
32. Additional insights include global HR policy quizzes, mentoring best practices, and managing AI responsibly in recruitment.
33. Membership in AHRI offers ongoing career support through development programs and community connections.

Stay Well!