Human Times

North American Edition

25th September 2026

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THE HOT STORY

Jobless claims fall to lowest level since mid-July as layoffs remain limited

The Labor Department reported on Thursday that new unemployment benefit claims fell to 197,000 in the seven days to September 19th, the lowest level since mid-July and down from a revised 198,000 the previous week, indicating that layoffs remain historically low. The four-week average declined to 202,250 from 204,000, while continuing claims, reported with a one-week lag, increased 2,000 to a seasonally-adjusted 1.719m. Economist Eliza Winger said that the latest data points to "stable labor-market conditions," adding: "The few industries that are shedding workers appear focused on efficiency gains, while we’ve yet to see signs that higher interest rates are driving layoffs, even in the most rate-sensitive sectors of the economy.”

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LEGAL

FBI employees subpoenaed in Trump probe

Former FBI employees involved in the investigation of President Donald Trump's retention of classified documents have been subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury in Florida. Their lawyers revealed this development as they sought clarification from U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon regarding an order that restricts the release of information. The subpoenas are part of a broader conspiracy probe examining claims of a "deep state" conspiracy against Trump. The investigation has primarily focused on former officials linked to Trump's 2016 campaign and the FBI's search of his Mar-a-Lago estate. The lawyers for the subpoenaed employees expressed concerns about potential contempt of court if they testify, stating, "Clients seek to confirm that they can freely discuss non-public information related to their work." The Justice Department is also considering offering immunity to some witnesses.

The Baltimore Sun

U.S. News

Jersey City faces overtime lawsuit

A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Jersey City government, alleging that it has failed to pay employees overtime for the past seven years. The suit, filed in Hudson County Superior Court on September 3, claims that employees who worked over 40 hours a week since June 25, 2019, were denied their rightful overtime pay, violating the New Jersey Wage and Hour Law. The allegations span two administrations, including former Mayor Steven Fulop and current Mayor James Solomon. The plaintiffs, represented by attorney Michael A. Bukosky, include the Jersey City Management Association and two city employees, James Carroll and Luis Pacheco. They seek compensation for unpaid wages, statutory damages, and a jury trial, along with an order for the city to comply with state wage laws.

NJ.com

WORKFORCE

Commute concerns reshape job offers

As job seekers navigate their options, commute times have become a critical factor in their decisions. Vicki Salemi, a Monster Career Expert, noted that "job seekers are savvy and they're looking at the entire comprehensive package of a job offer," which includes commuting time and costs. A report by Monster Research Institute revealed that 49% of candidates have declined job offers due to lengthy commutes, while 65% adjusted their job searches because of high gas prices. The report also highlighted that 30% of candidates would not accept a job with an unfavorable commute, regardless of salary or benefits. With rising gas prices and longer commute times, job seekers are prioritizing work-life balance and mental health, prompting employers to consider flexible options in their offers.

CNBC

D.C. residents hit hard by federal job cuts

A recent survey by the Greater Washington Community Foundation (GWCF) and Gallup revealed that 55% of 2,801 residents in the Washington, D.C., area have been adversely affected by federal job cuts. In D.C. alone, two-thirds of residents reported negative impacts, while 62% in Arlington County and Alexandria, Va., felt similar consequences. The survey indicated that only 4% of respondents believed the workforce reductions benefitted them. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, initiated these cuts during President Trump's second term, claiming to save $215bn. However, many residents are experiencing increased economic strain, with 20% of D.C. residents accessing social services for the first time. “This region has real strength, and real strain, and both are true at the same time,” said GWCF President Tonia Wellons. The survey was conducted from February 9 to April 6, 2026, with a margin of error of 2.6 points.

The Hill

New bill aims to lower retirement age

Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI) has introduced the “Blue Collar Social Security Fairness Act,” proposing to lower the full retirement age (FRA) to 60 for workers in physically demanding jobs like construction and nursing. The bill mandates the Social Security Administration to create and update a list of qualifying jobs every three years, defining them as those that impose substantial physical demands that could hinder performance at an older age. Currently, the FRA is set to gradually increase to 67, but the new proposal aims to provide relief for those in strenuous occupations. "The occupation... imposes on an individual substantial physical demands," the bill states, highlighting the need for change in the retirement system.

Al.com

HIRING

The Profiler takes aim at the growing scourge of fake job ads

Jay Jones, an unemployed copywriter from the Chicago area who calls himself “The Profiler,” has made it his mission to expose fraudulent job advertisements and recruiter profiles targeting increasingly desperate job seekers. After encountering a fake résumé writer during his own job search following a 2023 layoff, Jones began investigating recruitment scams and says he has since helped remove nearly 60,000 fake jobs and flagged around 7,000 scam profiles, primarily on LinkedIn. The scams range from mass-produced recruiter profiles and AI-tailored job offers to hijacked, verified accounts that impersonate recruiters at legitimate businesses. LinkedIn says its automated systems prevent nearly all scams from reaching users, including blocking close to 90m fake accounts before they went live in the second half of 2025. However, the company acknowledges that scammers continually adapt to its defenses.

Wall Street Journal

STRATEGY

Starbucks to close 250 North American stores

Starbucks plans to close 250 stores across North America this week, marking its second major round of closures under chair and chief executive Brian Niccol. The company said the affected locations are either failing to deliver acceptable financial results or cannot provide the customer and employee experience Starbucks is targeting, although it did not identify specific stores or disclose how many are in the U.S. The move follows the closure of 627 stores across North America and Europe, and the elimination of 900 non-retail jobs, last September. Starbucks is simultaneously investing in its remaining locations, with 1,500 North American stores expected to be retrofitted by the end of its fiscal year on September 30th.

CYBERSECURITY

Cybersecurity skills gap widens

Recent research highlights a significant skills gap in cybersecurity teams, with 60% of employers identifying this as a major issue compared to 40% citing staffing shortages. Dr. Mohammad Baten, president and chief executive of ABM College, said: "Organizations are not simply asking for more candidates. They are asking for people who can do specific things — network defence, systems fundamentals, governance — and who can demonstrate it." The 2026 SANS | GIAC Cybersecurity Workforce Research Report revealed that 27% of organizations experienced breaches due to capability gaps. In Canada, job postings for cybersecurity roles reached a seven-quarter high, with a notable demand for specific skills and certifications. ABM College offers a comprehensive cybersecurity diploma program to address these needs, focusing on foundational training and recognized credentials.

Cincinnati.com

PRODUCTIVITY

Workers fight automation with attendance

In New Jersey, port workers are combating the threat of automation by improving attendance, which has decreased absenteeism by 50% and increased productivity by 7%, said John Nardi, president of the Shipping Association of New York and New Jersey. The changes stem from a new contract with the International Longshoremen's Association that introduced a progressive discipline model for absenteeism. Workers who repeatedly miss shifts face escalating consequences, including potential removal from the industry. Nardi emphasized: "It's hard to make an argument against automation if people don't show up to work." The union's president, Harold Daggett, echoed this sentiment, stating: "Automation is around the corner, and they are gunning for us." The new rules aim to ensure that workers can demonstrate their value against technological advancements.

New Jersey Herald

HEALTH & SAFETY

Pesticide violations plague California farms

In California, pesticide safety regulations are under scrutiny as nearly 18,000 regulatory actions were taken from 2020 to June 2025, with fewer than 30% resulting in fines. Many farmworkers reported health issues due to pesticide exposure, yet fear of retaliation prevents them from reporting violations. “Yes, there are laws,” said Jesus, a farmworker, “but unfortunately, at times the law favors the powerful.” The California Department of Pesticide Regulation acknowledged the need for improved enforcement and proposed new regulations to increase fines for health-impacting violations. However, these proposals face opposition from agricultural groups who argue for maintaining local discretion in enforcement. Labor advocates stress the need for stronger enforcement to protect vulnerable communities, particularly in rural areas.

Los Angeles Times

TAX

California billionaire tax support falls to 45% as opposition rises

Support for California’s Proposition 40, a ballot measure that would impose a one-time 5% tax on the net worth of the state’s billionaires, has declined, according to a UC Berkeley Citrin Center-POLITICO poll cited by The Hill. The survey found that 45% of registered voters support the measure, 43% oppose it, and 12% remain undecided, compared with 50% support and 28% opposition in an earlier poll. Among undecided likely voters, however, 65% said they were leaning toward supporting the measure, while 15% were leaning against it. The proposal is supported by the California Democratic Party, unions including SEIU-UHW, Sen. Bernie Sanders, and Rep. Ro Khanna, while Gov. Gavin Newsom and Google co-founder Sergey Brin are among its opponents. The survey of 2,418 respondents was conducted from September 8-14 and has a 2.7-percentage-point margin of error.

The Hill

INTERNATIONAL

Men 'will hire more women' after birth of first daughter

Research from Aarhus University in Denmark suggests that male managers are more likely to hire women and promote them after the birth of their first daughter. The study, published in the Review of Economic Studies, found that women's earnings relative to men improved by 4.4% and female employment rose by 2.9% in small Danish firms. The researchers said that when a male manager had his first daughter, regardless of whether he had any older sons, "women's pay and employment in their firms increase significantly." They added: "In short: becoming a . . . father [to a daughter] appears to make bosses more inclined to hire women and to pay them better."

The Times

German union calls for 5% raise for engineering workers

Germany's IG Metall union wants a 5% ‌pay increase for 3.7m workers in the engineering sector ahead of collective bargaining talks. "Of course, we see that some companies are under considerable pressure ⁠and that this will continue. But as IG Metall, we do not accept deterioration in wages and employment rights," IG Metall President Christiane Benner said, adding "We need a vision that goes beyond job cuts, relocations, and plant closures." Reuters notes that widespread layoffs are occurring in German industry, notably in the auto sector.

Reuters

OTHER

Banks warn on AI shopping bots

The deployment of AI agents in online shopping raises concerns about scams and data privacy, according to a report from banks including NatWest and Bank of America. Some retailers have seen increased traffic from AI agents, but banks warn that technology is outpacing consumer protections. The report highlights risks such as AI agents soliciting payment details and directing users to less secure payment channels. Banks plan to propose measures for transparency and data protection to policymakers. "Consumers are unclear if AI will act in their ‌interests," ⁠the report says. "They are concerned that AI agents may buy the wrong thing or spend too much – or even worse, lose their money to scams and fraud. They are not sure whether they will be protected or who they will need to go to if things ⁠go wrong."

Reuters

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