Tesla’s Culture Pause, Microbreaks & Preboarding Checklist - Jun 6, 2025

Hey, HR Heroes! ⚡ Burnout’s real, but so is National Donut and Churro Day! Take a microbreak, grab a sweet treat, and see how tiny pauses can power big wins in HR. Because even superheroes need a snack break…

On today’s agenda:

🛑 The power of microbreaks

📝 Your preboarding checklist

⚡ Tesla’s pause for culture

🧪 Formula for thriving HR teams…

✨ Smart perks = happy workforce

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

🛑 The Power of Microbreaks: Combatting Burnout Before It Peaks

We often talk about “self-care,” but sometimes what your team really needs is just 90 seconds away from the screen and maybe a churro. Microbreaks—short pauses taken throughout the day—can be a game-changer for mental health and productivity.

The situation: Burnout is baked in.

• 66﹪ of American employees are burnt out this year, because they’ve got more work than time (Moodle).

• Calendars are cluttered with back-to-back Zooms. No breathing room = no thinking room.

• Even HR pros aren't immune — caring for others doesn’t mean burning yourself out like a broken Keurig.

What HR can do: Build a break-positive culture.

• Promote microbreaks: 5–minute breaks can improve focus and boost productivity (University of Sydney).

• Encourage calendar hygiene: Add “no-meeting zones” or 25-minute meetings instead of 30. Protect the buffer.

• Lead by example: Step away, stretch, share your break wins with your team.

• Make it cultural: Celebrate National Donut Day as a break moment! 🍩 Small rituals = big impact.

Let’s stop glorifying burnout and start normalizing brain breaks. You can’t pour from an empty mug — even if it's filled with cold brew ☕.

Know the signs by reading this:

✂️ P&G Trims Workforce - People Matters

• What’s unfolding: Procter & Gamble plans to lay off 7,000 white-collar workers including HR as part of a broader cost-cutting and automation push. This will roll out over the next 2 fiscal years, affecting global corporate offices.

• Why it matters: HR must brace for increased scrutiny around workforce planning and the impact of automation. With even HR teams not immune to cuts, there’s a need to upskill, lean into tech literacy, and reassess value contribution.

• What’s unfolding: The City of Detroit is accelerating its digital transformation using UKG software to improve employee productivity, data analytics, and decision-making in workforce management.

• Why it matters: Public and private sector HR leaders alike should take note: the digital shift isn’t slowing down. HR should explore tools that streamline operations, provide real-time data, and drive productivity.

• What’s unfolding: Tesla has temporarily halted production to conduct weeklong training focused on workplace culture and morale following internal tensions and criticism of its fast-paced environment.

• Why it matters: HR should recognize the value of proactive culture interventions—even at the expense of productivity. High-performance environments must be balanced with sustainable engagement.

• What’s unfolding: Experts are sounding alarms over rising workplace discrimination against disabled employees in the UK, highlighting gaps in inclusivity and legal compliance.

• Why it matters: This is a compliance and culture red light for HR. Beyond avoiding legal risk, inclusive practices drive retention and innovation. Audit policies for accessibility gaps, provide training on bias, and review your DEI initiatives.

COMPLIANCE CORNER

• What’s unfolding: The U.S. Department of Labor has revived its opinion letter program, offering official guidance on federal wage and hour laws.

• HR implications: Use this tool for clarity on tricky compliance questions. Proactively request letters on gray areas to strengthen your legal footing in audits or disputes.

• What’s unfolding: A legal expert warns that AI in the workplace could bring compliance risks, urging employers to conduct full-scale risk reviews.

• HR implications: HR needs to start auditing AI tools—bias, transparency, and data use are hot legal zones. Partner with legal to draft AI governance policies before regulators beat you to it.

• What’s unfolding: Walmart's recent layoffs have been linked to migrant workers' shifting legal statuses post-immigration policy changes.

• HR implications: This raises red flags on immigration-related terminations. HR must review I-9 processes, stay updated on legal changes, and tread carefully to avoid potential discrimination claims.

• What’s unfolding: California’s new minimum wage rates take effect July 1, with industry-specific thresholds.

• HR implications: Audit pay scales to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. Update payroll systems and notify affected employees in advance—especially in healthcare and fastfood.

HR WISDOM

✨ Smart Perks = Happy Workforce

Forget freebie coffees — what employees really want are benefits that matter.

Here’s how savvy perks drive engagement and retention:

• 🎯 Performance bonuses: Reward results—and watch motivation skyrocket.

• 🏥 Healthcare coverage: Top-tier health plans beat raises in long-term perks.

• 🌴 Paid leaves: Encourage PTO to reduce burnout and boost morale.

• ⏰ Flexible work: Control over hours and remote days equals happier, more productive teams.

There’s more. Wanna see more HR perks that genuinely move the needle?

🔗 Read the guide to work perks & benefits »

WEEKLY GOODY

Your Preboarding Checklist for New Hires

Ensure a smooth start for your new hires with our comprehensive Preboarding Checklist. From essential paperwork to team introductions, this guide covers everything you need to set the stage for success and make your new employees feel welcome from day one.

BREAKROOM

📬 Missed Wednesday’s issue on ‘Insider HR Secrets’? Read it.