With Los Angeles facing severe wildfires, employers are advised to support their workforce through flexible policies and robust communication. Experts highlight the need for mental health resources and immediate financial aid, as companies like West Monroe and PwC step up to assist employees in navigating the disaster.

DHL Supply Chain, which employs nearly 600,000 people across five generations, views its multigenerational workforce as a significant asset, writes global head of HR Lindsay Bridges, who points out the company uses employee opinion surveys to understand diverse needs and tailors policies to create an inclusive environment. The company connects generations by fostering relationships and understanding varying expectations, such as Gen Z's focus on social responsibility and older workers' preference for job security, writes Bridges.

Compensation and benefits strategies are evolving this year with a focus on personalized offerings and pay transparency, driven by economic pressures and labor shortages. Experts predict that flexible benefits and strategic pay models will be crucial for talent retention, while employers also face challenges from rising health care costs -- including coverage for GLP-1 -- and increased accommodation requests due to return-to-office policies.

Employers in 2025 prioritize communication skills alongside technical expertise in AI and cloud technologies, as per Aura Intelligence's report. The study stresses the importance of a balanced skill set on resumes and the critical role of HR in facilitating skill development and addressing workforce transformation.

Julie Sexton, HR leader at food manufacturer Land O'Lakes, tackles challenges in managing the company's manufacturing workforce, including demographic shifts and evolving employee expectations. Sexton has introduced flexible working solutions and is rethinking traditional roles to make them more appealing and adaptable to the needs of today's workforce.