Innovative Benefits, SMART Development & Retention Recruiting - May 28, 2025

Heads up, HR heroes! 🙃 The May 30 Payroll Compliance Deadline is near. This week, we're spotlighting innovative employee benefits — let’s explore the perks your people actually want.

On today’s agenda:

💎 Innovative benefits that work

🤓 SMART employee development [template]

💻 Tech layoffs surge: 61K+ roles cut

🧲 Retention recruiting: 2025’s approach

👇 Read on…

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

Innovative Employee Benefits: Addressing Modern Workforce Needs

If your boldest benefit is “casual Fridays,” we need to talk…

The situation: Old-school benefits are getting ghosted as the modern workforce wants more than PTO and a 401(k). More employees say they'd stay longer at a job with better benefits — even if the pay stayed the same.

The gap? What companies can give vs. what employees actually value. Forward-thinking employers are stepping up with benefits like elder care support, pet PTO 🐾, and student scholarship assistance — meeting employees where they are in their personal journey. But too many are still relying on “freebie coffee” to drive retention.

What HR can do: Rethink, refresh, retain…

• Start with data – Survey employees on what matters most to them.

• Provide flexibility – Benefits that match diverse lifestyles = happier teams.

• Track impact – Measure how unique perks affect satisfaction and retention.

Curious what top companies are providing employees — and how it helps them attract talent?

💻 Tech Layoffs Surge: 61K+ Roles Cut - Times of India

• What’s unfolding: Major tech giants — Microsoft, Google, Amazon, and CrowdStrike — have collectively cut over 61,000 jobs in 2025. The layoffs are part of a shift toward AI, automation, and leaner operational models.

• Why it matters: Even if you're outside tech, this ripple affects talent pools, salary expectations, and employee morale. HR teams need to maintain transparency on job security, help future-proof roles, and watch for top-tier tech talent entering the job market.

• What’s unfolding: According to a leading recruiter, Gen Z expects a JO within one week of the final interview. Delays? They ghost. Quick, tech-enabled processes are their baseline.

• Why it matters: Dragging your feet means losing top talent. To cater to Gen Z demands, it’s advised to streamline interview-to-offer pipelines, communicate timelines clearly, and leverage automation to cut down lag.

• What’s unfolding: With digital transformation accelerating, IT leaders are calling for a merger of HR and IT functions to better manage workforce tech, hybrid work, and data-driven HR strategies.

  Why it matters: HR is becoming increasingly tech-driven, from AI recruiting to people analytics. Partnering with IT can boost efficiency, enhance digital experiences, and enable smarter workforce planning. HR + IT = HRT?! Whatever the acronym, the future is integrated.

Supercharge Team Progress with this SMART Goals Development Toolkit

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COMPLIANCE CORNER

• What’s unfolding: The UK plans to ban controversial “fire and rehire” tactics used to change employment terms. New legislation is expected soon.

• HR implications: HR teams must rethink restructuring strategies and update policies. Violations could bring legal and reputational risks — time to review contracts and consult legal.

• What’s unfolding: Rumors link H-1B visa holders to Walmart layoffs, but the company denies it. No evidence supports foreign worker displacement.

• HR implications: Reinforces the need for clear, inclusive layoff communication. Mismanaged narratives can harm brand and employee trust — prep messaging accordingly.

• What’s unfolding: Workday is under fire for alleged algorithmic bias in hiring tools, facing a class-action lawsuit over racial discrimination claims.

• HR implications: AI tools aren’t “set and forget.” Audit hiring software now to ensure fairness, especially if using automated screening — legal heat is intesifying.

BREAKROOM

📬 Missed Monday’s Memorial Day note? Read it.