HR intelligence to lead, innovate & grow.

Want to get your daily slice of HR knowledge to your inbox? Sign up now

Human Times helps you stay ahead of the latest news and trends that impact the HR industry. Every weekday, our unique blend of AI and team of expert HR and employment editors and researchers monitor 100,000s of articles, and social posts to create summaries of the most relevant and useful content to help you lead, innovate and grow. The award winning Human Times newsletter has four geographical editions with news tailored to your region.

From HR leadership to diversity and inclusion, hybrid working, organisational data, performance management, and retention strategies, Human Times is the only trusted free online news source dedicated to covering the most up to date headlines, articles, reports and interviews to make sure you’re abreast of changes in the HR industry.

HT banner
Recent Editions
ht-recent-1
Human Times
North America
U.S. jobless claims dip unexpectedly

The Labor Department reported on Thursday that the number of applicants for unemployment benefits in the seven days to January 10th fell by 9,000 to 198,000, well below the 215,000 expected among analysts polled by FactSet. The four-week average of claims fell by 6,500 to 205,000, while the total number filing for jobless benefits, reported with a one-week lag, declined by 19,000 to 1.88m. Notable increases in claims were seen in California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Texas, and Tennessee, offsetting a 4,382 drop in filings in New York. "Initial jobless claims are still subject to seasonal volatility, but the surprises have been more to the downside," said Nancy Vanden Houten, lead U.S. Economist at Oxford Economics. "Looking through the noise, we see no signs that labor market conditions are worsening," she added. "The claims data offer no reason to change our outlook for the economy or Fed policy."

Full Issue
ht-recent-2
Human Times
UK
AI and robots reshape the workforce

Patrick Vallance, the UK science minister, stated that advancements in AI and robotics will significantly alter human jobs, particularly in warehouses and factories. He noted that robots will take over repetitive tasks, enhancing productivity. However, London Mayor Sadiq Khan warned that AI could lead to mass unemployment if not addressed. Vallance highlighted that robotics can improve job performance, citing surgical applications as an example. The government is expanding the Regulatory Innovation Office to support robotics and defence tech, with £52m allocated for new hubs to promote robotics adoption in businesses. Meanwhile, remote workers are facing increased unemployment risks due to the launch of Claude Cowork, a new AI app by Anthropic. This tool automates tasks like report writing and data entry, which were traditionally performed by white-collar workers.

Full Issue
ht-recent-3
Human Times
Europe
Ericsson cuts 1,600 more Swedish jobs

Ericsson plans to lay off 1,600 employees in Sweden, part of broader global efforts to improve cost efficiency amid weak telecoms spending and declining 5G investments. The company has cut staff steadily over three years, shrinking its global headcount from nearly 100,000 to about 90,000. A spokesperson said the move is meant to "maintain important investments that will secure our competitiveness and technology leadership." Shares rose 1.7% following the news, and J.P. Morgan analysts see the cost cuts as a possible driver for early margin recovery.

Full Issue
ht-recent-4
Human Times
Middle East
UAE simplifies degree recognition process

The UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has announced an automatic recognition initiative for degrees from 34 UAE-based universities. This initiative, launched on January 14 2026, aims to eliminate bureaucratic delays by allowing immediate recognition of qualifications, benefiting over 25,000 graduates so far. The system supports the UAE's digital transformation goals by enabling digital verification of degrees through QR codes, streamlining the transition to employment or further studies. The initiative will also extend to Emirati students studying abroad under ministry-supervised scholarships.

Full Issue
top-shadow
Read the latest HR highlights