Human Times

North American Edition

11th November 2026

THE HOT STORY

PwC to train 85,000 employees in critical thinking and decision-making

PwC U.S. has announced plans to introduce a Critical Thinking & Judgment Certificate program for more than 85,000 partners and employees, aiming to strengthen human decision-making skills as AI increasingly handles routine workplace tasks. Training will begin in December 2026 across the firm's U.S. and Mexico offices, as well as its Acceleration Centers, with completion expected by June 2027. The program will use PwC's internally developed framework to help employees evaluate information, challenge assumptions, exercise sound judgment, and communicate recommendations effectively. Participants will complete diagnostic assessments, practical exercises, leadership masterclasses, and personalized simulations tailored to their roles.

Bloomberg Tax

WORKFORCE

Employers face rising ACA penalties ahead of 2026 health coverage reporting deadlines

U.S. employers have been urged to reconcile their 2026 health coverage, payroll, and employee eligibility records before December 31st to avoid costly errors in Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting. Businesses with 50 or more full-time employees or equivalents must submit Forms 1094-C and 1095-C, with employee statements expected by March 2nd 2027, and electronic IRS filings due March 31st, subject to final confirmation. Inaccurate employee classifications, affordability calculations, or enrollment codes can trigger IRS penalty notices, even when employers have met their coverage obligations. For 2026, annual penalties can reach $3,340 or $5,010 per affected employee, depending on the violation, rising to $3,780 and $5,670, respectively, in 2027. The ACA affordability threshold will also increase from 9.96% to 10.22% in 2027. Compliance experts emphasize that employers must establish clear responsibility for reconciling data across payroll, HR, and benefits systems, rather than assuming external providers have addressed reporting requirements.

Insurance Business

RISK

Democrats' win sparks hope for science in Washington

The midterm elections have better positioned Democrats to support scientists, disaster officials, and weather forecasters in Washington after a tumultuous period under President Donald Trump. With Democratic control of Congress starting in January, there will be renewed focus on funding and oversight for scientific research. Meteorologist Jeff Freedman said: “Hey - you can say ‘climate change’ again!” as he highlighted the optimism among scientists. The National Weather Service, which has faced budget cuts and staffing issues, may also benefit from increased funding. Former Federal Emergency Management Agency Deputy Administrator Daniel Kaniewski also observed that lawmakers will have more power to scrutinize disaster responses and funding decisions. Overall, the political shift is expected to lead to significant changes in how science and disaster management are funded and overseen.

Los Angeles Times

ECONOMY

U.S. credit card debt hits record $1.29tn

U.S. credit card debt has reached a record $1.29tn in the third quarter of 2026, rising $22bn from the previous quarter and 4.2% year over year, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Total household debt also climbed $334bn to a record $19.1tn, reflecting mounting financial pressure on American consumers. Separate TransUnion data showed that the average credit card balance increased 2.4% to $6,678, while the number of cardholders rose 2% to 178m. With average interest rates on new credit card offers around 24%, borrowing costs remain elevated, particularly for lower-income consumers and those with weaker credit scores. New York Fed researchers warned that these borrowers are experiencing increasing financial distress and higher delinquency rates following looser lending standards during the pandemic. Persistent inflation, rising living costs, and borrowing costs that have outpaced wage growth for lower-income households continue to squeeze household finances, despite signs that credit card debt growth is slowing.

CORPORATE

US Postal Service seeks $2bn in government support

The US Postal Service (USPS) has requested $2bn in financial support and reimbursements from Congress to avoid significant reductions in post offices, mail delivery services and other operations amid persistent financial pressures. The agency has reported a net loss of $6.5bn for the year ended September 30th, narrowing from $9bn the previous year, although cumulative losses have exceeded $120bn since 2007. First-class mail volumes declined 5.1% to 39.8bn pieces, their lowest level since 1965, reflecting the continued shift towards digital communication. Postmaster General David Steiner has warned that without congressional intervention, USPS could be forced to close post offices, reduce marketing mail services and slow deliveries, with contingency plans expected by March 2027. The request follows earlier cost-cutting measures, including spending restrictions and suspended pension contributions, despite Congress providing $57bn in financial relief over a decade in 2022.

Politico

Reuters

Weil partners vote to dissolve firm

Partners at Weil, Gotshal & Manges have voted to dissolve the 95-year-old U.S. law firm. A wind-down committee made up of the firm's general counsel Robert Carangelo, leader of its tax department Paul Wessel, and Patricia Ferrari, an independent director, will oversee the formalization of Weil's collapse. Reuters notes that Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is poised to bring on around 120 ⁠lawyers in the United States and London in the largest expected hire from Weil so far, and Sidley Austin is in talks to hire around 200 people, including lawyers and staff members, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Financial Times

Reuters

LEGAL

DOJ sues Lyft for alleged discrimination against disabled passengers

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Lyft, alleging that the ride-hailing firm discriminates against disabled passengers. The lawsuit, lodged in the Northern District of California, claims that Lyft drivers have denied service to individuals with disabilities, including those with service animals and stowable wheelchairs, while also imposing cancellation fees. The DOJ said it receives thousands of complaints each year and accuses the company of violating the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). “Lyft has discriminated against individuals with disabilities, in violation of Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act . . . through its policies and practices of denying or providing unequal services to individuals with disabilities, including individuals with service animals or individuals who use stowable wheelchairs or mobility devices,” the lawsuit reads. A Lyft spokesperson said the company disagrees with the claims and that its policies already protect riders with disabilities.

The Hill

The Baltimore Sun

CYBERSECURITY

Law firms sued over cyber breaches

Law firms Squire Patton Boggs and Baker McKenzie face proposed class action lawsuits in federal court following cyberattacks that allegedly exposed sensitive personal information. Plaintiffs claim that the firms failed to adequately protect the data they collected and stored. Baker ⁠McKenzie recently advised state regulators that the firm experienced a data security incident in August. The firm said a cybercriminal “socially engineered two of our users” to obtain a limited number of files but that “there was no independent malicious access to our system." Last month, Squire Patton Boggs disclosed a breach to state regulators that the firm said involved "an unauthorized third party obtaining a limited set of information from the firm."

Bloomberg Law

Reuters

TAX

California voters reject 5% billionaire tax

California voters have rejected Proposition 40, a proposed one-time 5% tax on the assets of the state's billionaires, amid concerns that the measure could drive wealthy residents and businesses out of California and weaken the economy. Approximately 53% voted against the proposal, compared with 47% in favor, despite broader Democratic gains in the midterm elections. The tax was intended to offset an estimated $100bn in federal healthcare funding cuts, with 90% of proceeds allocated to healthcare and the remainder supporting education and food assistance. The campaign became one of California's most expensive ballot battles, with more than $400m spent across three related measures and over 90% directed toward defeating the billionaire tax. Opponents, including major business figures and healthcare organizations, warned of risks to economic competitiveness and state revenues. However, supporters have pledged to revisit the proposal in 2028 if healthcare funding shortfalls remain unresolved, while federal lawmakers continue pursuing a nationwide billionaire tax.

Los Angeles Times

INTERNATIONAL

New public sector pay deal in Ireland averts industrial action

Ireland's government has reached a draft public sector pay deal with trade unions that provides for average cumulative pay increases of ‌10.75% to early 2029 and the ending of all industrial action, pending ratification. The expiry of the last pay agreement in June precipitated widespread strike action last month, Ireland's ⁠first since the financial crisis of 2009. A second strike on Thursday was suspended.

Irish Times

Reuters

OTHER

Measles cases in U.S. top 5,000

More than 5,000 people have been infected with measles in the U.S. this year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed 5,182 measles infections on Friday, the highest number since 1991. The highly-infectious disease has been spreading at an increasing pace amid declining vaccination, eroding the herd immunity that suppresses outbreaks and protects those who can’t be immunized. Pennsylvania has the highest number of measles cases in the U.S., according to CDC data: 1,476 as of Friday afternoon.

Bloomberg

Forbes

NBC News

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