Leaving Loudly, Perks That Work, Engagement Drops Again - Jun 2, 2025

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Howdy, HR Rockstars! 🤘 It’s June 2 — Leave the Office Early Day. Let’s practice what we preach. Join the #LeaveLoudly movement and normalize wrapping up on time. If HR doesn’t model balance, who will?

On today’s agenda:

😁 Leaving loudly — how to normalize leaving on time

🧩 Perks that work: 2025’s boldest benefits…

󠁣󠁬󠁡󠁩🌍 Platform review: Deel’s global hiring hub

📉 Engagement drops again

🚨 June’s key compliance dates

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

Leaving Loudly: Why & How HR Must Normalize Leaving on Time

It’s June 2 — Leave the Office Early Day! But for many HR pros, it just means catching up on work... at home. 😅 It’s time to flip the script. When was the last time you actually left the office on time? Or dared to model the work-life values you advocate?

The situation: Hustle culture is hurting us. Many employees feel pressure to stay late, even when the clock says go. According to Mayo Clinic, poor work-life balance is one of the main causes of burnout at work. And of course, burnout significantly affects productivity and motivation.

Leave the Office Early Day might be a quirky observance, but it points to a bigger truth: staying late isn’t a badge of honor — it’s a symptom of a cultural issue. And HR? You're the first line of defense — and the first to suffer when burnout quietly creeps in.

💡 What HR can do: Lead the way — loudly.

• Set the tone: Say goodbye loudly when you leave on time. Make it visible.

• Train managers: Promote healthy boundaries as a performance asset.

• Rethink “presence”: Prioritize output, not office hours.

• Share wins: Highlight teams that work smart and go home on time.

• Do quick cultural audits: Is your workplace actually psychologically safe to leave early?

• Use starter scripts: Reframe early exits as leadership, not laziness.

Take this even further: Discover how a 4-day work week could be your secret weapon:

🛫 Employee Engagement Falls Again - BenefitsPro

• What’s unfolding: Employee engagement in the U.S. has dropped to 24%, its second decline in over a decade. Gallup’s latest report reveals a growing disconnect between workers and employers, especially among on-site staff.

• Why it matters: The fall signals deeper workplace issues. With remote workers still the most engaged, HR must reassess how culture, flexibility, and communication affect morale and retention.

• What’s unfolding: A new report shows 56% of UK workers feel optimistic about AI’s impact, yet 61% say they’re struggling to keep up with its rapid adoption in the workplace. The divide highlights a growing digital skills gap.

• Why it matters: A balance of excitement with enablement is needed. Upskilling, transparent communication, and AI-readiness planning are key to supporting employees through fast-paced change.

• What’s unfolding: Corp giants are making headlines for fresh rounds of layoffs this June. The trend spans tech, media, and manufacturing, signaling ongoing volatility in labor markets.

• Why it matters: HR leaders should brace for the ripple effect—rising employee anxiety, reduced morale, and increased turnover risk even in stable teams. Transparent communication, retention strategies, and mental health support are key.

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COMPLIANCE CORNER

• What’s unfolding: Fisher Phillips outlines 10 critical HR tasks for June, including EEO-1 reporting (due June 24), OSHA's heat safety rule hearing (June 16), and updates on the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.

• HR implications: Missing these deadlines can lead to compliance issues and penalties. Ensure your HR team reviews the checklist, updates policies accordingly, and prepares necessary reports to stay compliant.

• What’s unfolding: The UK government is implementing stricter immigration policies, affecting the hiring of foreign workers. Changes include increased salary thresholds and more rigorous compliance requirements.

• HR implications: Employers must reassess their recruitment strategies, ensure compliance with the new regulations, and consider investing in domestic talent development to mitigate potential workforce shortages.

• What’s unfolding: An article from HR Leader discusses the legal implications of employees secretly recording workplace conversations, highlighting potential breaches of trust and privacy concerns.

• HR implications: HR professionals should establish clear policies when it comes to recordings, educate employees on privacy expectations, and foster an environment of open communication to prevent such incidents.

HR TECH WATCH

🌍 A Review of Deel - Global Hiring & Payroll Made Simple

Why we selected it: Deel is a top-rated global HR and payroll platform, known for simplifying international hiring, onboarding, and compliance across 150+ countries.

Key features:

• Global Payroll: Unified payroll system across 100+ countries with local tax compliance.

• Contractor & EOR Hiring: Easily hire full-time employees or contractors via Employer of Record services.

• Automated Compliance: Built-in legal templates and local labor law protections.

• Deel HR: Free HRIS to manage global teams, time off, and equipment tracking.

HRAddict rating: ★★★★☆ 4.8 
Deel sets the standard for global HR compliance and contractor management — powerful, scalable, and built for borderless teams.

This is an independent review using aggregated insights and publicly available data.

BREAKROOM

📬 Missed last Friday’s issue ‘Clock Out Confident’? Read it.