Happy Friday, HR Heroes! 👋 As we wrap up the week (and maybe grab a sneaky donut), let’s talk DEI. With big names like Adobe rolling back diversity hiring goals, is this a course correction or a step backward? Time to unpack it…

On the agenda: 

💀 The End of DEI Hiring: A step backward or strategic shift?

🤗 Show You Care: With this Employee Appreciation Kit.

🚨 HR Tech Trap: Experts warn against trend-driven adoption.

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

The End of DEI Hiring: A Step Backward or Strategic Shift?

Big changes are happening in the DEI space… Companies like Adobe and McDonald's are dialing back their diversity hiring targets, sparking debate across the HR world.

Adobe recently dropped its “Aspirational Goals” for increasing minority leadership representation, while McDonald’s is rethinking its DEI efforts after a Civil Rights Audit. Concerningly, there are many more examples like this.

The Triggers?

• Legal Pressure: After the Supreme Court’s ruling on affirmative action, companies are adjusting DEI policies to stay compliant.

• Political Scrutiny: DEI programs are under the microscope, with businesses re-evaluating how they balance diversity and legal risks.

What This Means for HR: With DEI hiring goals evolving, HR leaders will have to consider the following:

✅ Shift from quotas to culture – DEI isn’t just about numbers; creating an inclusive environment is key.
✅ Stay informed – Keep up with legal updates to ensure compliance and best practices.
✅ Communicate clearly – Transparency is crucial when explaining any DEI changes to employees.

A word of caution: Rewriting DEI policies is like updating the dress code — necessary, but certain to cause drama and plenty of debate… (No, Kevin, cargo shorts still aren’t “business casual.”).

Read this guide over on HRAddict’s blog to freshen up your DEI approach:

FRIDAY’S STEAL

Show Employees You Care With This Kit — Boost Engagement & Retention

Looking for a fresh, fun way to share appreciation of your team’s hard work? Our Employee Appreciation Kit will inject humor and personality into your recognition efforts.

Why your team will love it:

✅ Unique & Fun – Highlight quirks, talents, and contributions with awards like “Coffee Connoisseur” or “Office DJ.”

✅ Fully Customizable – Easily personalize each award with names and special messages.

✅ Boosts Morale – Recognition with a touch of humor makes appreciation feel more meaningful.

✅ Instantly Downloadable & Print-Ready – No hassle, just heartfelt moments of celebration.

This community promo ends April 6 — midnight EST.

TREND WATCH

HR Tech Trap: Experts Warn Against Trend-Driven Technology Adoption

ETHRWorld — While HR technology promises efficiency, many companies are facing unexpected financial and operational burdens. Trend-driven adoption — rather than needs-based — leads to wasted resources, integration challenges, and employee resistance. HR leaders must focus on ROI-driven tech strategies instead of chasing the latest tools.

⬇️ Employee Engagement Bottomed Out — How HR can reverse record-low engagement. [HR Executive]

⏳ 6 Weeks: Average Time to Hire Worldwide — How AI is shaping recruitment speed. [HRM Asia]

📉 Is Target's DEI Decision Impacting Bottom Line? — The effects of DEI rollbacks on their earnings. [HR Grapevine]

🎧 Gen Z at Work: Streaming is the Latest Coffee Break — HR’s next culture challenge. [The HR Digest]

HR WISDOM

How to Create a Talent Management Strategy (Tips & Examples)

Whatever the size of your company and regardless the industry you operate in, one thing you need to pay careful attention to effective talent management so you can better anticipate human capital needs and plan for those needs.

This begins by strategizing your talent management efforts. But how do you build a talent management strategy?

We’ll show you how to do just that in this guide, while we’ll also look deeper into what a TMS is, why it’s important, what an effective framework looks like — and more.

WEEKLY HR GOODY

An Employee Action Plan [Download]

Onboarding and developing talented individuals is a vital step in propelling your organization forward. Helping them grow to their full potential is essential, and that entails identifying areas for improvement and coming up with measurable solutions and realistic timeframes. Our Employee Action Plan helps you do just that! It’s on the house.

BREAKROOM