This week is getting dodgy - quickly…
Apple's DEI Triumph: 97% Shareholder Approval Boosts Inclusion Initiatives
Fiverr's AI Overhaul: Empowering 4 Million Freelancers with Cutting-Edge Tools
The $500,000 Gender Pay Gap: Unveiling the Financial Disparities Facing Women
Loxo is the newest Unicorn
DoorDash's $16.75 Million Settlement: Unpacking the Tip Misappropriation Controversy
Let’s talk DoorDash
This whole mess is a textbook example of why trust is the new currency in the gig economy. DoorDash might’ve “updated” its tipping policy back in 2019, but this settlement shows that the bad taste lingers. The takeaway? Customers want to know their money's going where they think it is, and gig platforms better get with the program—or get regulated into it.
The Story:
DoorDash just got slapped with a $16.75 million settlement by the New York Attorney General for playing fast and loose with customer tips. Between 2017 and 2019, DoorDash was caught using tips to subsidize workers’ base pay instead of adding it on top—basically, the ol’ switcheroo. About 63,000 Dashers in New York got burned by this, thinking their tips were extra cash when they were really just covering the company’s tab.
Under this deal, Dashers are finally getting a payday, with some set to pocket up to $14,000 each. Plus, DoorDash is now required to clean up its act and make sure 100% of tips actually go to the drivers—no more shell games. This is a big win for gig workers who’ve been nickel-and-dimed by tech platforms that love to talk transparency but rarely practice it.
24% of employees would recommend their employer as a great place to work.
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HR Famous with Tim Sackett: EP120 | Why Hiring Is Broken & What Elon Got Right - An Unfiltered Session with Tim Sackett
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The BARF
Breaking News
Women Spend 8.6 Years Working for Every 10 Years Logged by Men
A new report reveals a staggering gender pay gap, with women losing about half a million dollars in earnings over their careers compared to men. This data shifts the focus from just pay disparity to the time women lose in the workforce.
CoachHub Collaborates with Microsoft to Launch AIMY™
CoachHub's partnership with Microsoft introduces AIMY™, an AI-powered coaching platform. Users can personalize AIMY™'s voice and approach, making AI-driven coaching feel more human. A sign that AI isn’t just for automation—it’s for personalization too.
Task-Masking: The TikTok Trend for RTO
Employees are faking productivity with “task-masking” to survive return-to-office mandates. Typing loudly and walking briskly are now survival skills. It’s a symptom of a larger problem: why are people trying to look busy instead of being busy?
Fiverr Empowers Freelancers to Harness AI for Enhanced Services
Fiverr's new AI tools allow freelancers to train custom AI models with their own work. This move lets freelancers scale their services while retaining creative control. For businesses, it’s a fast lane to high-quality, customized content.
Joshua Tree Safety Risks Due to Staff Shortages
Staff shortages at national parks, a lingering effect of previous federal workforce cuts, are raising safety concerns for visitors. Looks like “be prepared” isn’t just for Scouts—it’s for tourists too.
97% of Apple Shareholders Reject Anti-DEI Proposal
Apple shareholders overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to end DEI programs. For a company often accused of being out of touch, this is a strong signal that DEI is here to stay—even if it’s not winning any converts.
Apple to Invest $500 Million in U.S. Manufacturing
Apple's plan to hire 20,000 people and invest half a billion dollars in U.S. manufacturing raises questions: Is this about patriotism or diversifying the supply chain?
DoorDash to Pay $16.75 Million to Settle Tip Misappropriation Lawsuit
DoorDash is paying up after being accused of using customer tips to cover delivery workers' base pay. The $16.75 million settlement serves as a warning: transparency in gig work isn’t optional.
Social Media as a Hiring Channel for Gen Z
64% of Gen Z found jobs via Instagram, 56% through X, and 46% on TikTok. If you’re not investing in these platforms for recruitment, you’re doing it wrong.
Acquisitions
KKR Acquires Stake in HRM Platform Employment Hero
KKR’s investment in Employment Hero suggests bigger moves in HR tech are coming. With a $250 million ARR and a global customer base, expect expansions and more acquisitions soon.
Research
Employees May Soon Chat More with AI than Human Coworkers
Stats suggest a future where employees interact more with AI agents than with humans. This shift aligns with Gen Z’s preference for digital communication but raises questions about workplace culture.
AI Helps Startups Scale with Fewer Employees
Anysphere reached $100 million ARR with just 20 employees, thanks to AI. This trend isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about redefining what a company looks like.
Funding
SmartSuite Raises $38 Million to Revolutionize Enterprise Collaboration
Funding will boost its no-code platform, making HR tasks like recruitment and onboarding smoother. The end goal: better communication and a faster onboarding experience.
Guidde Raises $15M to Automate Training Videos with AI
Guidde’s AI-driven platform aims to replace clunky, expensive training videos with fast, automated tutorials. Expect integrations with HR platforms like Workday and Cornerstone soon.
Perfect Closes on $23 Million to Build ‘Superhuman’ Recruiter
The funding will accelerate its AI platform, which automates recruiting tasks like sourcing and scheduling. The result? Faster hires and more time for strategic decision-making.
Thinking Machines Lab Aims for $1B Raise, Valuing Startup at $9B
Founded by the former CTO of OpenAI, Thinking Machines Lab wants to make AI more accessible. The goal: let businesses deploy AI without hiring a team of engineers.
Workforce Management Startup Firstwork Raises $5 Million
Firstwork’s funding will enhance its AI-powered platform for frontline workers, streamlining onboarding and workforce management.
Figure AI in Talks to Raise $1.5B, Boosting Valuation 15-Fold
Figure AI’s humanoid robots are attracting serious cash, with a potential $1.5 billion raise that would value the company at $9.5 billion. The goal: automate repetitive manual labor in warehousing and supply chains.
Loxo Secures $115 Million to Scale AI Capabilities
Loxo is investing heavily in AI to enhance its talent intelligence platform. The goal is clear: move beyond ATS functionality and become the must-have tool for recruiters.
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