The number of applications for unemployment benefits in the US decreased significantly, falling to 239,000 in the week ending June 24, well below economists' expectation of 260,000. The four-week moving average rose slightly to 257,700. Full Story: MarketWatch (tiered subscription model) (6/29),Bloomberg (6/29),The Associated Press (6/29)
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Recruiting & Retention
The generation that speaks AI is getting to work A new generation of tech savvy college graduates, who take generative AI for granted, are entering the workforce. Generation Z students have been using AI tech like ChatGPT and are anticipating how the technology will be used in their industry. Full Story: The Washington Post (6/28)
How to choose benefits that attract, keep workers There's a disconnect between how workers and businesses think about employee benefits, writes Equitable's Stephanie Shields, drawing on LIMRA research. To create a more attractive benefits plan, talk with workers about the benefits they want, develop diverse benefit options, develop a hierarchy to prioritize your offerings, and focus on employee communication. Full Story: Benchmark Monitor (6/27)
The HR Leader
How SCOTUS affirmative action ruling could affect DEI The US Supreme Court struck down colleges' affirmative action programs, a 6-3 decision that could potentially spur an increase in reverse discrimination lawsuits against corporations and eventually a dip in diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, writes Jessica Guynn. "We may see an increase in challenges to those programs because some employees may incorrectly assume this means that their employers can no longer have workplace affirmative action or DEI programs," said Morrison & Foerster partner Andrew Turnbull. Full Story: USA Today (6/29)
A TikTok video of a German shepherd hiding a potato underneath her as she lies in a bed has attracted 4.6 million views and more than 714,000 likes. Many users commented on the dog's amusing facial expression as her secret possession is discovered, or what one person describes as her "emotional support potato." Full Story: Newsweek (tiered subscription model) (6/26)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
Bobby Bonilla Day is tomorrow. That's when the New York Mets pay Bobby $1.19 million every July 1 via a deferred contract until he turns 72. With what other team did he negotiate similar terms? Check your answer here.
I’m a dog person. To be specific, I’m a big dog person -- bullmastiff, cane corso, Saint Bernard, Labrador retriever, to name a few. And the German shepherd. I love the German shepherd. My daughter has a German shepherd puppy named Waffles. Like others of his breed, Waffles is sweet, smart and brave. Whenever we take walks, Waffles is careful to protect me. I thought of Waffles when I saw the video in today’s Workplace Chatter story about the German Shepherd that was caught hiding a potato. The sweet baby looked embarrassed and stricken to have been discovered. Her eyes! And she was very unhappy to have it taken away. What kind of pet to you have? What's fun or quirky about your furry (or scaly, or hairless or whatever) friend? Let me know! And if you enjoy this brief, tell others so they can benefit also.
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