Hi Friends,
The Godfather of AI says become a plumber. Executives are preaching AI like it’s salvation while cutting headcount behind closed doors. Wellness programs are being ghosted harder than company town halls, and Gen Z just quietly started their summer hibernation. Meanwhile, Panera’s catching fines, RTO is burning holes in wallets, and recruiters are watching AI agents do their jobs for them.
And now ya know.
Skills vs. Potential: What Really Matters When Hiring with Randi Seran, VP of People, workrise
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Comp & Coffee: The pay crystal ball: predicting the future with Pearl Meyer + Payscale
HR Data Labs: Natalie Tincher - Fostering Inclusion Through a Workplace Dress Code
#GENZ: Gen Z & the Freelancer Marketplace
Payroll BADIes: Why Payroll Is Still Undervalued and What Needs to Change with Pete Tiliakos
The BARF
Breaking News
AI Will Replace “Mundane Intellectual Labor,” Not Plumbers
Geoffrey Hinton says AI is coming for your desk job, not your sink repair. Plumbers just became the future-proof class of 2025.
Walmart Rolls Out Real-Time AI Translation for 1.5M Workers
Returns are hard, and so is understanding your manager. Walmart’s new AI tools speak 44 languages and walk employees through tasks live.
Workplace Wellness Programs Are Dying—and No One Cares
It’s not that they’re bad—it’s that no one’s using them. Hard to meditate when you’re scanning Indeed every night.
Panera Franchisee Hit with $600K Fine for Child Labor Violations
Over 240 minors were impacted. Company denies wrongdoing while everyone else raises an eyebrow over baguettes and broken laws.
Execs Say “Use AI”—Then Fire You Because of It
They’re hyping it up while gutting staff behind the scenes. It's Animal Farm with automation.
64% of Young Workers Quietly Check Out for the Summer
Gen Z isn’t hiding it. “I’ll circle back in September” is now a seasonal setting on their Outlook calendar.
HSBC’s Return-to-Office Push Might Cost $200M
They’re spending millions to bring workers back to desks no one asked for. There’s no ROI in nostalgia.
400,000 Factory Jobs Sit Empty Despite “Made in America” Push
Even with campaign promises and good pay, the labor isn’t showing up. Importing workers is a real option—if politics doesn’t get in the way.
Acquisitions
Zellis Acquires Hastee to Bulk Up Financial Wellness
Great make-vs-buy move. Payroll and financial wellness now come in one neat HR bundle.
Pearson Buys eDynamic Learning for Career Curriculum Push
CTE and lifelong learning finally join forces. Consolidation that actually aligns with mission.
Research
ChatGPT Lowers Creativity in Group Brainstorms, Says Wharton
Using ChatGPT made teams sound smarter—but less creative. It’s like groupthink with autocorrect.
AI Doesn’t Harm Employee Wellbeing, Claims Study
Scientific Reports says AI isn’t stressing us out. That’s rich—just ask anyone refreshing LinkedIn after layoffs.
93% of Hiring Managers Say the Process Now Takes Longer
Too many steps, too much fear, not enough trust. It’s like everyone became their own legal department.
Being Passionate Helps Men at Work—But Hurts Women
Same enthusiasm, different outcomes. Passion gets men promoted and women sidelined.
Funding
Glean Raises $150M at $7.2B Valuation
Three raises in 16 months, over $100M ARR. They're not playing—this is category-defining momentum.
Jobright Raises $3.2M to Auto-Apply for Jobs Using AI
Job hunting, outsourced. If this works, every recruiter just lost their leverage.
Zeelo Raises $23M for Commuting-as-a-Benefit
RTO gets less painful when the ride is covered. This might be the secret weapon for return-to-office policies that don’t suck.
AI.Work Raises $10M to Power Autonomous Slack Agents
Bots that do the boring stuff in your systems. The risk? No one's watching them.
WorkWhile Raises $23M to Modernize Hourly Hiring
Hourly labor, but smarter. They’re aiming to be the Uber for shift work.
Metaview Raises $35M to Turn Interviews into Intelligence
Not just recording interviews—this platform gives actual recommendations. It’s flirting with decision-making territory now.
Jet HR Raises €25M to Streamline Italian Payroll
Country-specific and clean. A rare combo of name, niche, and timing.
Onebrief Raises $20M at $1.1B Valuation for Military Ops AI
Doubled its valuation in three months. That’s not just traction—it’s a rocket.
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