Dec 03, 2025

1. Subject: Stop Playing Reactive HR – How Chess.com Turned HR Into a Winning Position

   Summary: Discover how Chess.com scaled to 700 employees globally with only an 8-person HR team by automating HR processes. Key topics include unifying global HR, IT, and finance data, scaling through automation, running IT without an IT department, and leveraging automation lessons especially with AI. Webinar on December 3, 2025.

   Key Takeaway: Utilize automation strategies to build lean yet effective People Ops teams and reclaim HR’s strategic role.

2. Subject: State Slams Costco With Six-Figure Misclassification Penalty

   Summary: Misclassifying employees as contractors can be costly, as shown by a recent significant penalty to Costco. Additional insights include the necessity of a robust employee handbook to drive consistency, sponsored content on international hiring strategies, financial wellness as a benefits pillar, and updated background check regulations for compliance.

   Key Takeaway: Ensure proper worker classification and compliance to avoid expensive penalties and protect the organization.

3. Subject: Dec. 2 – Court: Repeated dining invites not harassment | HR pros on the moves

   Summary: Legal ruling that repeated dining invitations by a manager were not harassment following responsive employer action. November HR leadership changes at AlphaSense, UCLA, and others. Campbell’s executive departure linked to controversial remarks. Trends include increased litigation over worker regular-rate calculations.

   Key Takeaway: Stay updated on legal rulings and HR leadership moves; understand potential litigation trends to prepare risk management strategies.

4. Subject: Dec. 2 – AI for performance reviews? | Fears of AI job displacement rises

   Summary: Increasing adoption of AI in performance reviews raises questions about bias and compliance risks. Fear of AI-driven job loss nearly doubled, prompting legislative interest for reporting AI-related layoffs. Advice on analyzing hiring AI for adverse impact.

   Key Takeaway: Carefully integrate AI in HR processes, ensuring fairness and compliance while monitoring for workforce impact.

5. Subject: Dec. 2 – A redesign of the people leader role | Are college grads losing their edge?

   Summary: Research suggests redefining people leader roles to focus on enabling employees and translating strategy. Data shows young college grads spend longer job searching than high school graduates. 2026 labor market expected balanced growth with emphasis on reskilling. Differing global worker sentiments on AI.

   Key Takeaway: Adapt leadership roles and talent strategies to complex labor markets; address generational challenges and differing worker AI perspectives.

6. Subject: Rebuilding performance for a future-fit workforce

   Summary: Bank First redesigned performance management using human-centered design focusing on continuous, transparent, and future-oriented feedback and development. AHRI’s SA President offers insights on supporting manager wellbeing amid exhaustion. Case study on co-designed wellbeing programs reducing sick leave by 20%.

   Key Takeaway: Human-centered and continuous performance practices improve outcomes; wellbeing support for managers is crucial.

7. Subject: How AI is changing leadership structures

   Summary: Webinar on December 16, 2025, exploring how AI will reshape organizational design by flattening structures and reducing middle management by over half in some companies. Insights include the business costs, closing management gaps, and gaining competitive advantage using AI.

   Key Takeaway: Prepare for AI-driven leadership changes by understanding structural impacts and adopting strategic responses.

8. Subject: How continuous compensation helps increase business agility

   Summary: Playbook explaining continuous compensation as an agile approach revisiting employee goals and incentives throughout the year rather than annually. Emphasizes benefits of aligning compensation with evolving business goals for increased agility and employee motivation.

   Key Takeaway: Implement continuous compensation systems to enhance business flexibility and employee engagement.

9. Subject: HR’s shift to internal talent developments

   Summary: Hiring freezes are driving HR leaders to focus on internal talent through mobility and upskilling initiatives to build future-ready workforces. Trendline details best practices for employee development and identifying workers needing additional growth.

   Key Takeaway: Strategic internal development is essential for maintaining competitive advantage amid hiring slowdowns.

Stay Well!