Security Engineers in Alabama has agreed to a $1.6 million settlement with the US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over allegations of sex discrimination. According to the EEOC, the company had a "male only" hiring directive and denied women security officer roles despite relevant experience, violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The settlement requires Security Engineers to remove discriminatory directives and implement training and monitoring.

Employee confidence in the US has reached its lowest point in nearly a decade, with only 44.4% of employees holding a positive six-month business outlook, according to Glassdoor's latest report. Concerns about layoffs are rising, with mentions in Glassdoor reviews increasing by 0.3% month-over-month, reaching levels not seen since July 2020. The labor market faces potential weakening due to factors like government job cuts and economic uncertainty.

Workers with disabilities and their families express concerns over the possible elimination of the subminimum wage in Connecticut. Supporters of the change argue it aligns with civil rights and increases job opportunities, but opponents fear it could lead to job losses for those unable to meet standard productivity levels. Parents of affected workers worry that without adequate employer support and job training, individuals may struggle to find employment if the subminimum wage is abolished.

A report by Udemy highlights the growing necessity of AI upskilling across industries, with the AWS Certified AI Practitioner seeing a significant increase in interest. Udemy CEO Greg Brown emphasizes the need for organizations to prioritize AI skills to keep pace with technological advancements, while the World Economic Forum notes 59% of the global workforce will need training by 2030.

Organizations are rethinking strategies to recruit and retain early career talent to address diversity and talent shortages, say HR leaders, who encourage employers to use skills-based assessments, diversify collegiate partnerships and collaborate with universities to align curricula with workforce needs. "Meet with educators in your industry and build a relationship with them," says Jim Link, chief HR officer at the Society for Human Resource Management. "Advise them on high-demand skills and explain the toolkits necessary for emerging professionals to succeed in today's fast-paced workforce."