Parental Time 2.0, Quiet Vacationing? DEI Ban Blocked - Jun 16, 2025

Hey, HR Pros! 🌟 Yesterday’s Father’s Day reminds us: parental leave policies need more than a card. With HR on the rise and smarter payroll in play, it’s time to level up support for working parents. Let’s dive in…

On today’s agenda:

👶 Parental time 2.0

✈️ Quiet vacationing?

⭐ Papaya’s seamless payroll

🌈 DEI ban blocked

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

Parental Time 2.0: How Supporting Dads Supports Everyone

Father’s Day just passed — but supporting dads shouldn’t be a once-a-year thing. As workplace dynamics shift and new generations of employees prioritize caregiving like never before, parental leave is no longer just a policy—it's a culture signal. And how we support fathers may be the key to unlocking a more equitable workplace for everyone.

Ready to upgrade your leave policies? Let’s break it down.

The situation:

• Countries with dedicated paternity leave—like Iceland, Norway, and Germany—see higher maternal employment and smaller gender wage gaps (OECD)

• Organizations with gender-equal leave policies report better overall performance. (SHRM)

• BUT: A Bright Horizons study found working dads are stuck in a stereotype and felt taking paternity leave would hurt their career. Leadership silence feeds this stigma.

What HR can do:

Model from the top to encourage senior leaders to take and talk about leave. Then, audit your parental leave policy for equity by asking these 3 questions:

1. Are our policies gender-neutral and inclusive of different types of caregivers? This should include birth, adoptive, foster, and same-sex parents.

2. Do employees feel safe using such leaves? (Fathers included)

3. Are managers trained to support leave-takers?

Want more ideas to support parents in the workplace? Read this guide »

💬 Gen Z’s Lingo Shakes Up Office Vibes - The HR Digest

• What’s unfolding: Gen Z employees are bringing informal language and more into workplace communication, blurring traditional lines between personal and professional speech. This shift is reshaping how teams interact.

• Why it matters: While casual language fosters a sense of belonging, it can also create friction or confusion, especially in client-facing roles. HR must have clear communication guidelines that honor evolving norms without compromising clarity and respect.

• What’s unfolding: The global HR and recruitment services sector is set for explosive growth, driven by digital transformation, AI integration, and the rise of flexible work models. Big players are doubling down on tech-enabled solutions.

• Why it matters: It’s time to reevaluate vendor partnerships and tech stacks to stay competitive. As recruitment services evolve, internal HR teams must adapt—leveraging modern tools for efficiency while keeping the human touch in talent strategies.

• What’s unfolding: Chipotle’s AI-driven hiring platform has slashed recruitment time by 75﹪, according to the CEO. The system streamlines screening and scheduling, speeding up the path from application to onboarding.

• Why it matters: HR pros should explore AI to ease bottlenecks in hiring, especially for high-volume roles. However, balance automation with human oversight to ensure fairness, prevent bias, and preserve candidate experience.

COMPLIANCE CORNER

• What’s unfolding: Southwest Airlines faces a hefty penalty after violating a flight attendant’s religious rights, spotlighting failures in compliance training.

• HR implications: HR teams must urgently review and reinforce religious accommodation policies—before litigation lands at their doorstep. Prioritize updated training for managers and staff this quarter.

• What’s unfolding: The Washington Supreme Court ruled that informal wage promises are enforceable under state law.

• HR implications: Audit how pay directives are communicated and documented, especially in WA. Train managers not to use casual promises that could become binding.

• What’s unfolding: A California court has blocked enforcement of parts of a Trump-era EO that could violate plaintiff rights.

• HR implications: It’s a good time to review DEI programs to ensure they not only support inclusion goals but also comply with applicable anti-discrimination laws and legal standards.

HR TECH WATCH

A Review of Papaya Global: The One-Stop Powerhouse for Seamless Payroll

Why we selected it: Papaya Global is a leading global payroll and workforce management platform, trusted by over 1,000 enterprises across 160+ countries. Its seamless integration of payroll, compliance, and payments makes it a top choice for global HR teams.

Key features:

1. Global Payroll Automation: Streamlines payroll processing in over 160 countries, ensuring timely and compliant payments.

2. Employer of Record (EOR) Services: Enables businesses to hire and manage employees in foreign markets without establishing a local entity.

3. Real-Time Analytics: Provides actionable insights into payroll data, helping HR teams make informed decisions.

4. Embedded Payments Infrastructure: Facilitates secure and efficient cross-border payments, enhancing financial operations.

HRAddict rating: ★★★★☆ 4.3 
Papaya Global stands out for its robust global payroll capabilities, compliance assurance, and integrated payment solutions, making it a valuable tool for enterprises managing a diverse workforce.

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

BREAKROOM

📬 Missed Friday’s issue on ‘Psychological Safety’? Read it »