Nov 27, 2025

1. Email 1: Unposted Job Openings Create Age Discrimination Risk, Court Rules
2. Subject: Unposted Job Openings Create Age Discrimination Risk, Court Rules
3. Summary: A recent court ruling highlights the risk of age discrimination when younger candidates are hired without posting the job opening. Informal promotions may now have serious legal implications.

4. Additional Content:

   • Importance of an employee handbook in 2025 for consistency, culture shaping, and dispute prevention.
   • Sponsored webinar featuring Serena Williams discussing leadership and talent development (Dec 17).
   • Paycom’s Time-Off Requests featuring GONE® automates leave management and offers high ROI.
   • HR tips on overcoming AI fears with quick solutions.
   • Training on Form W-4 updates to ensure compliance and reduce payroll errors.

5. Email 2: New Criminal Background Checks Regulations

6. Subject: New Criminal Background Checks Regulations
7. Summary: As of 2026, sweeping changes to Clean Slate laws and federal enforcement are altering how employers conduct candidate background screening. States like Washington and Virginia have strict mandates on sealed records and conditional job offers.

8. Key Points:

   • Challenges include navigating automatic record sealing, timing of criminal history inquiries, and rescinding offers under new individualized assessment protocols.
   • Webinar offers strategies to update hiring workflows to avoid legal claims, cover recent compliance updates, and manage AI risks in screening.
   • Emphasis on balancing workplace safety with fair chance mandates.

9. Email 3: Nov. 26 – The Fallout from One SCOTUS Decision | AI Use ‘Happening in Silence’

10. Subject: Nov. 26 – The fallout from one SCOTUS decision | AI use ‘happening in silence’
11. Summary:

    • Supreme Court ruling requires proving “some harm” from employment decisions in workplace lawsuits, affecting ‘psyche’ damage claims.
    • Sexual assault claims can proceed without the assault being workplace-related due to a new federal act.
    • Despite widespread encouragement to use AI at work, a third of employees receive no training.
    • A global survey shows differing attitudes toward AI, with workers in China and Brazil more positive than in the US, UK, and Germany.

12. Additional Resources:

    • Leadership development infographic.
    • Playbook on harassment and discrimination prevention.
    • On-demand webinars on pain-related health costs and AI compliance in driver hiring.

13. Email 4: Vanishing Vacations? | Robot Revolution | Manager Slights

14. Subject: Vanishing Vacations? | Robot Revolution | Manager Slights
15. Summary:

    • Almost 25% of employees skipped vacation days this year; managers may not be encouraging PTO enough.
    • AI’s rapid development is drawing attention to robotics and its potential impact in the workplace.
    • Managerial slights, such as forgotten birthdays or dismissive gestures, have significant negative effects on employees.
    • Guidance on steps employees can take to secure their roles when colleagues leave amid hiring freezes.

16. Additional Message: Korn Ferry CEO emphasizes gratitude in the workplace.

17. Email 5: 📓 Plot Twists (SHRM Scandal and HR Leadership Insights)

18. Subject: 📓 Plot twists
19. Summary:

    • SHRM faces internal scandals involving allegations of fear, retaliation, and poor leadership.
    • Criticism that SHRM’s national stance may not represent progressive HR values, prompting some HR professionals to distance themselves.
    • Financial advisory expert Breene Murphy highlights how HR leaders are often fiduciaries on 401(k) plans without full awareness of liabilities.
    • AI in hiring has mixed perceptions; some candidates find it innovative while others see it as impersonal, raising questions on balancing technology and human connection.

20. Interactive element: Encourages readers to reflect on actions taken for survival over growth and try canceling an unproductive recurring meeting.

21. Email 6: Nov. 26 – 2026 Labor Market Predictions | AI Use is ‘Happening in Silence’

22. Subject: Nov. 26 – 2026 labor market predictions | AI use is ‘happening in silence’
23. Summary:

    • Predictions for the 2026 US labor market suggest a balance between hiring freezes and layoff resets rather than boom or bust.
    • Only 20% of women feel confident about retiring comfortably, raising calls for more inclusive benefit strategies.
    • Confirmed that AI is increasingly used at work without adequate employee training.
    • SCOTUS precedent makes workplace ‘slights’ actionable for lawsuits requiring proof of harm.

24. Additional Reads:

    • Articles on AI effects on hourly workers, construction workforce challenges, and employee attitude toward AI.

25. Email 7: Nov. 26 – Supporting Indigenous Workers Beyond Native American Heritage Month

26. Subject: Nov. 26 – Supporting Indigenous workers, beyond Native American Heritage Months
27. Summary:

    • As Native American Heritage Month ends, insights on how HR can better support Indigenous workers year-round.
    • The EEOC is expected to focus on issues like pronoun use, bathroom policies, and mentorship in 2026.
    • A company settled for $2 million related to mistreatment involving gender bias.
    • Data shows a rise in full-time working caregivers but increasing exits from the workforce by women due to caregiving responsibilities.
    • EEOC emphasizes national origin bias as a focal point for future enforcement.

28. Resources:

    • Playbook on harassment and discrimination prevention.
    • Book and article recommendations highlighting Native American heritage and workplace considerations.

29. Email 8: Can You Ask Employees to Work Over the Christmas Period?

30. Subject: Can you ask employees to work over the Christmas period?
31. Summary:

    • A Federal Court fined an employer nearly $100K for not consulting employees on Christmas rostering, emphasizing valid consultation around public holidays.
    • Advice from Anita Carver on equitable learning and development for remote and onsite employees.
    • Tips to enhance productivity shared by the Deputy Chair of the Productivity Commission.
    • Legal insights on recognizing genuine resignation in employment.
    • Infographic highlighting that while most Australian businesses adopt AI, 25% lack AI policies.

32. Membership Reminder: Australian HR Institute (AHRI) encourages joining for professional development and community.

Note: The above summaries are based solely on the provided content and reflect key themes and takeaways from each email.

Stay Well!