Daycare worker walks a wagon full of children from Patagonia's day care program along the beach at Surfers Point in Ventura. (Alan Hagman/Getty Images)
Qualtrics, Patagonia and Whirlpool are among companies that have integrated their values into on-site child care, enhancing workplace culture and employee satisfaction. Qualtrics' Cloud Village focuses on STEM, Patagonia emphasizes environmental stewardship and outdoor activities, and Whirlpool offers diverse educational programs. Access to on-site child care allows working parents to engage more with their children, providing convenience and reducing stress. Full Story: HR Dive (5/14)
Recruiting & Retention
Klarna cuts workforce by 40% partly due to AI, CEO says Buy now, pay later firm Klarna reduced its head count by about 40%, from 5,527 to 3,422 employees, due largely to AI and attrition, says CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski. The Swedish fintech says its aggressive AI adoption, including a partnership with OpenAI, has significantly increased productivity, handling tasks equivalent to what 700 customer service agents can do. Full Story: CNBC (5/14)
The red stapler you're looking for is in this map… Paths to Power is a mythical IT land brought to life through an interactive game. Every IT challenge holds a riddle… but also reward. Navigate through mystical places like SysAdmin Goat Farm and Backup Bay and find the Wizard of Lite, only then will your office space be at peace… let's go!
The red stapler you're looking for is in this map… Paths to Power is a mythical IT land brought to life through an interactive game. Every IT challenge holds a riddle… but also reward. Navigate through mystical places like SysAdmin Goat Farm and Backup Bay and find the Wizard of Lite, only then will your office space be at peace… let's go!
Benefits & Compensation
L.A. council votes $30 wage for tourism workers The Los Angeles City Council has approved a plan to raise the minimum wage for tourism workers to $30 per hour by 2028, affecting hotels with more than 60 rooms and Los Angeles International Airport. The decision, which also requires these businesses to contribute $8.35 per hour for employee healthcare by 2026, faced opposition from business leaders, who warned that many hotels will cut jobs, close onsite restaurants and shops and possibly back out of room rate agreements for the 2028 Olympics. Full Story: Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (5/14)
Technology
McKinsey: Upskilling vital as AI transforms workforce As AI adoption increases, upskilling becomes essential for the US workforce to adapt to changing job requirements, according to a McKinsey survey. While 44% of employees are willing to try other occupations, 45% cite a lack of relevant skills as a major barrier. Companies can play a significant role by offering flexible training programs to overcome time and cost barriers, according to McKinsey. Full Story: McKinsey (5/13)
The HR Leader
Subtle penalties for unplugging can hinder staff wellness Research suggests that while most employers recognize the importance of work-life balance, there may be an unconscious bias against employees who take time to unplug and relax, particularly if they are high performers. Managers are encouraged to consider whether they are penalizing valuable staff members for taking time to recharge. Full Story: Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) (5/13)
SmartBreak: Question of the Day
The first Pinewood Derby, a smaller version of the Soapbox Derby but with driverless wooden hobby cars, was conducted on May 15, 1953, in Manhattan Beach, Calif. Who hosted it?
