Human Times
The latest business Intelligence for HR professionals and people managers everywhere
Sign UpOnline Version
Human Times Logo
North American Edition
23rd October 2026
 
Industry Slice Icon Logo

THE HOT STORY

U.S. employees face rising health insurance premiums and higher deductibles

U.S. employers are increasingly passing rising healthcare costs on to employees through higher insurance premiums, larger deductibles, and reduced coverage, according to a KFF survey. The average annual cost of employer-sponsored family health insurance exceeded $28,000 in 2026, increasing 5%, while employees’ contributions rose 9% to $7,471. Among large employers, 44% increased workers’ premium contributions, and 21% raised deductibles or other cost-sharing requirements. Rising hospital prices, increased billing, and expensive medications, including GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, are contributing to the financial pressure. Mid Oregon Credit Union faces a projected 38% increase in healthcare costs for 2027, while Cerebral Brewing has responded to a 20% increase by introducing plans with deductibles as high as $6,000. Benefits consultants expect further cost increases in 2027, raising concerns that higher out-of-pocket expenses could discourage workers, particularly those in lower-wage industries, from maintaining health insurance coverage.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

HIRING

Most employers plan to increase early-career hiring

AMS, A Korn Ferry Company, has released the “Class of 2030: The future of early careers” hiring report, revealing that 81% of employers intend to boost early-career hiring in response to AI's impact on junior roles. Susan Major, Global Managing Director of Early Careers and Campus at AMS, said: “Entry-level hiring is fundamental to the health of any organization. It is how you bring in new skills, fresh thinking and build the talent you are going to rely on in the future. Our research shows employers recognize that . . . The roles themselves are evolving, and that makes investing in young talent even more important. Organizations need to think now about the people and skills they will need to grow and make sure they are creating the opportunities for those capabilities to develop.” The report is based on surveys of over 5,000 candidates and 500 HR leaders across 13 countries.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

WORKFORCE

U.S. jobless claims fall near 57-year lows as layoffs remain limited

The U.S. Department of Labor has reported that initial unemployment claims fell by 6,000 to a seasonally adjusted 194,000 in the seven days to October 17th, approaching their lowest levels since 1969 and beating economists' expectations of 200,000. Claims remained at or below 200,000 for the sixth consecutive week, while the four-week moving average declined to a record low of 197,750. Continuing claims, reported with a one-week lag, increased by 25,000 to 1.728m. Although the latest figures suggest potential improvement in October hiring, concerns remain about higher energy prices, tariffs, and tightening financial conditions. Economists expect the Federal Reserve to hold interest rates steady at its next meeting before potentially raising them in December.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

WORKPLACE

Deloitte: workplace trust critical to AI success

Deloitte's U.S. Human Capital Practice leader Simona Spelman has warned that declining workplace trust can dramatically undermine employee motivation, particularly as companies accelerate artificial intelligence adoption. Speaking at Fortune's Most Powerful Women Summit, Spelman identified reliability, transparency, capability, and humanity as the four pillars of trust. Deloitte data shows that 82% of employees are motivated to perform at their best when none of these factors is distrusted, but that figure falls to 37% when just one is distrusted, and to 7% when all four are distrusted. Catalyst research also highlights concerns about AI-related workplace changes, with 68% of leaders reporting employee reskilling plans, while only 34% of employees believe AI training is accessible to everyone. Spelman noted that approximately 93% of AI investment goes toward technology, compared with just 7% toward people, emphasizing that organizations must prioritize employee development, transparency, and human capabilities to maintain trust and engagement.

Crowe launches firmwide employee ownership program

Leading U.S. accounting firm Crowe has launched CroweONE, a shared ownership program extending participation to all employees, including future hires, following the completion of KKR's equity investment in August 2026. Developed in collaboration with KKR, the initiative requires no upfront investment and allows employees to benefit from the firm's growth alongside existing compensation and benefits. Chief executive Steven Strammello said the program aims to strengthen employee engagement, foster an ownership culture, and support long-term business performance. Crowe has also introduced Forward Together cash awards to recognize employee contributions and is establishing an employee assistance fund and a new recognition program. Financial terms of the ownership program were not disclosed.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

STRATEGY

Barclays to cut 5,000 jobs

U.K. headquartered banking giant Barclays plans to cut around 5,000 jobs, equivalent to about 5% of its global workforce, as part of a modernization and cost-cutting program that includes expanding its use of AI. Around 1,000 roles have already been eliminated, with a further 4,000 cuts expected by the end of the year. Most reductions will occur in the company's U.K. retail bank and support functions, with some roles affected in India. Barclays said AI was an increasingly important part of its technology strategy, but noted that the cuts were not all directly related to increased use of the technology. Chief executive CS Venkatakrishnan said AI is "the icing on the cake not the cake."
Industry Slice Icon Logo

TAX

Los Angeles filming declines Despite tax credit incentives

Los Angeles' film and television industry has reported a continued decline in on-location production despite California's tax credit incentives helping attract more projects to the region. According to FilmLA Research, the greater Los Angeles area recorded 4,171 shoot days in the third quarter of 2026, down 4.8% year over year and nearly 29% below the five-year average. Television production fell 2.8% to 1,400 shoot days, although the proportion supported by tax incentives increased from 9% to 23%. Television comedy was a notable exception, with filming surging 143% to 192 days, while feature film production rose 2.1% to 533 days. Commercial production declined nearly 16% to 562 days, and other production activity fell 4.2% to 1,676 days. FilmLA has emphasized that while tax credits are helping attract productions and support local employment, overall filming activity remains significantly below historical levels.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

INTERNATIONAL

Global fashion brands face scrutiny over worker safety in Pakistan

Pakistan’s garment industry is facing growing concerns over dangerous working conditions as climate change intensifies extreme heat in factories supplying international brands, including Zara and Mango. Workers in Karachi have reported fainting, dehydration, respiratory problems, and lost wages due to inadequate ventilation, limited breaks, and insufficient cooling measures. An Associated Press investigation found that factories frequently lacked temperature monitoring and effective heat protection protocols, despite corporate commitments to worker safety. Inditex, Zara’s parent company, has pledged stronger supplier audits and training, while Mango has updated its supplier code to address extreme temperatures. However, labor rights advocates have criticized weak enforcement, and heat safety protocols under the International Accord for Health and Safety remain under review. Experts have urged manufacturers to introduce improved ventilation, reliable drinking water, and regular rest breaks to protect workers as temperatures continue to rise.

Amazon pledges €16bn investment in Germany

Amazon has announced plans to invest more than €16bn ($17.94bn) in Germany next year, including €4.8bn to expand its cloud and data center infrastructure amid growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) services. The investment will also support the expansion of its Amazon Leo satellite internet network, logistics operations and Prime Video content production. The company has outlined plans to open a second robotics and AI research laboratory in Berlin, alongside upgrades to several fulfilment centers through 2028. The commitment builds on more than €100bn invested in Germany since 2010 and forms part of Amazon's broader European expansion strategy, which includes a separate €33.7bn investment in Spanish cloud and data center infrastructure through 2035.

Rokid opens first fully automated smart glasses store in Hong Kong

Chinese augmented reality (AR) specialist Rokid has opened a fully automated flagship store in Hong Kong’s Harbour City, introducing what it describes as the world’s first unstaffed retail experience in the smart-glasses sector. The store allows customers to test AI-powered glasses, complete purchases and collect products without staff assistance. Trial sales have reached five to six devices daily at HK$4,688 ($599) each, exceeding internal expectations. Rokid claims a 41% share of the global AR glasses market with displays and is using Hong Kong as a testing ground for new retail formats ahead of planned expansion into Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand and the U.S. next year.
Industry Slice Icon Logo

OTHER

FDA issues guidance on apps used with prescription drugs

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued new guidance on the development and labelling of apps used alongside prescription medicines. The policy specifies when app content must be submitted for approval and how it should be referenced in drug labelling. Apps linked to medical devices must be included in drug labels, while standalone apps should only be listed if essential for safe use or providing clinical benefit. The FDA said it aims to reduce regulatory uncertainty for drugmakers and tech developers while ensuring safety standards are upheld. "This guidance intends to clarify the regulatory landscape," the FDA said.
 
Industry SLice Logo

The Human Times is designed to help you stay ahead, spark ideas and support innovation, learning and development in your organisation.

The links under articles indicate original news sources. Some links lead directly to the source material. Others lead to paywalls where you may need a subscription. A third category are restricted by copyright rules.

For reaction and insights on any stories covered in the Human Times, join the discussion by becoming a member of our LinkedIn Group or Business Page, or follow us on X.
Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

 

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe