Hello, People Leaders! āØ AIās taking over hiring faster than you can say āskills gap.ā Letās rethink how tech and talent can work togetherāno rĆ©sumĆ© scanning robots required.
On todayās agenda:
š AI talent surge
š Onboarding playbook
š Workplace romance risks
š§© Zoho People review
WEEKLY GOODY
Employee Timesheet
In case you missed last weekās HR goody ā for payroll accuracy minus the tech hassle.
ā Available to email subscribers
THE HR SPOTLIGHT
š Smart Hires Ahead: The AI Talent Surge HR Canāt Ignore
With AI job listings spiking globally in the last year alone and companies expanding deeper into global markets like Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), HR leaders are facing a new kind of hiring heatwaveāand itās powered by algorithms, not ambition alone.
ā ļø The situation: Robots are hiring (and being hired).
Global AI hiring is boomingāDeel alone saw 60ļ¼ YoY increase.
U.S. companies are chasing top tech talent across borders.
The demand for AI skills is outpacing supplyāand quickly.
HR teams risk lagging if they donāt move quick enough and think at a global level.
Per Deelās report via The Recursive, āAI-related senior job roles have tripled in the past year.ā Thatās not just a trendāitās a talent war.
ā What HR can do: Work with the bots.
Go global: Tap into emerging markets (like CEE) for tech talent.
Use AI smartly: Let AI screen resumes, not replace judgment.
Upskill now: Train current teams to work with (not fear) AI.
Review pay scales: AI skills = premium packages.
Donāt let AI hiring outpace your human strategy.Ā See how Deel can help your recruitment team hire smarter and faster at scale:
TODAYāS CULTURE CUE
š¤ Boost Human-Bot Synergy ā Audit your AI tools this week to check if theyāre helping or hindering your team. Align usage with real HR needs, not just shiny features.
TOGETHER WITH iSPRING
š Why Your Onboarding Is Broken, Even If It Looks Fine | iSpringās Expert Onboarding Playbook
Ask any HR pro and theyāll tell you: onboarding should be clear. But once you add in disengaged managers, scattered tools, and a lack of consistency ā it gets complicated fast.
The iSpring team interviewed 10+ HR and L&D leaders across industries to get to the root of whatās really going wrong ā and how to fix it.Ā
Download the 2025 Onboarding Playbook to learn:Ā
ā” 6 mistakes that ruin the new hire experience from day 1Ā
ā” The true cost of onboarding for your companyĀ
ā” Real-world onboarding challenges and how top HR leaders solve themĀ
ā” A proven framework to onboard and retain top talentĀ
THE HR PULSE
š Wage Hike, Job Dip? - HR Grapevine
Whatās unfolding: Fast food job losses in California are being linked to the recently implemented $20/hour minimum wage.
Why it matters: This is a red flag for multi-state HR leaders managing wage strategyāprepare for automation impacts, budget shifts, and workforce planning if other states follow suit.
š¢ Target Tightens RTO Rules - HR Dive
Whatās unfolding: Target is requiring corporate employees near its Minneapolis HQ to work in-office three days a week, marking a sharper stance after previous flexibility and comes amid similar trends at other major employers.
Why it matters: HR professionals should note the cultural and retention ripple effects of stricter RTO mandates. If your org is considering RTO shifts, communication and change management are key.
š HR-Themed Phishing Bait Clicks - HCA Mag
Whatās unfolding: In Q2, phishing attacks posing as HR emails were among the most clicked. Subject lines about āreimbursements,ā ādress codes,ā and more tricked users at alarming rates. HR-themed scams have become prime bait for cybercriminals, exploiting employeesā instinct to trust internal HR updates.
Why it matters: HR is now a cybersecurity frontline. Itās essential to educate staff on spotting phishing attempts. Partner with IT to run simulated phishing drills and update policies on email authentication.
RESOURCE ROUNDUP
Sprigg HR
Employee Vacation Tracker
Prevent pay errors and manage employee attendance better with this tracker.
Download tracker Ā»
Employment Hero
Payroll Outsourcing Guide
Gain insights into the workings, advantages, and reasons for outsourcing your payroll.
Download guide Ā»
WSMH
Psychologically Safe Leader Assessment
An assessment to help leaders improve communication, social intelligence, fairness and problem-solving.
See the assessment Ā»
COMPLIANCE CORNER
š¦¾ Colorado AI Law Flex - HR Dive
Whatās unfolding: Coloradoās groundbreaking AI law, taking effect next year, demands stringent risk-management controls on both AI developers and usersāraising the bar well above typical state standards.
HR implications: HR teams must prepare for AI governance roles by updating internal policies and training staff in compliance best practices, while keeping an eye on similar laws popping up nationwide.
š¤° NYC Boosts Prenatal Pay - Nat Law Review
Whatās unfolding: NYC has expanded on the stateās paid prenatal leave lawāmandating updated policies, notices, records, and pay-stub tracking for the 20āhour leave bank.
HR implications: HR leaders in NYC must revise leave policies, inform employees, and adjust payroll systems by mid-July to prevent compliance headaches and potential fines.
šļø Hā1B: ByeāBye Lottery? - The Register
Whatās unfolding: The USDHS & USCIS may replace the traditional Hā1B visa lottery with a criteria-based (likely wage-driven) systemāupending decadesāold selection dynamics.
HR implications: Missouri HR teams should start communicating changes, revise handbooks, and consider offering equivalent voluntary benefits to mitigate morale and retention risks.
TREND WATCH
š Office Affairs: Is the Romance Worth the Risk?
Digesting the data: In light of the recent KissCam scandal at a Coldplay concert, a Gulf News report takes a look at the prevalence of workplace affairs (despite the fact itās a known conflict of interest) and its real consequences. These arenāt just Hollywood plotlinesāshared stress, constant proximity, and emotional intimacy fuel a trend thatās as officeāreal as coffee spills. But what does it cost everyone involved?
Outlook for HR: This trend isnāt fluffāit impacts productivity, trust, and retention. If youāre not ready to ban love in the breakroom, you must prepare for the repercussions. Itās time to update policies, train managers to handle romances fairly, and provide confidential counsel through EAPs. A mature stance can help navigate office love without it derailing careers or culture.
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 24, Virtual - Gartner
The Ripple Effects of AI on Organizational Structure and Work ā Examine the ripple effects of AI across various job functions and industries.
Register for webinar Ā»
July 30, Virtual - HR Morning
DEI Insights for a Changing World ā Unpack the current state of DEI & its implications, and learn practice guidance for organizations of all sizes.
Reserve your seat Ā»
On-Demand, Virtual - Herbein
Navigating Tax Changes: Updates from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act ā Learn about the most significant tax updates and take advantage of new opportunities while avoiding costly pitfalls.
Watch the recording Ā»
HR TECH WATCH
š§© A Review of Zoho People: The Modular HR Sidekick
Why we selected it: A favorite among growing teams, Zoho People is an all-in-one HR software suite that's both economical and surprisingly flexible for businesses of any size.
Key features:
Employee Self-Service Portal ā Empowers staff to update info, request leave, and access documents.
Custom Workflows ā Automate everything from onboarding to performance reviews with drag-and-drop ease.
Time & Attendance Tracking ā GPS and IP-based clock-ins make hybrid and remote tracking seamless.
Performance Management ā Set goals, run appraisals, and track progress with ease.
Pros:
Ease of use: Intuitive dashboards empower non-technical HR users
Data visualization: Powerful visualizations simplify complex dataĀ
Security: Strong security and enterprise-grade complianceĀ
Predictive analytics: Accelerates proactive talent decisions with predictive insightĀ
Scalability: Scalable across industries from finance to healthcare
Cons:
Extra features cost: Advanced features may require add-ons or higher-tier plans
Learning curve: Some learning curve for deep customization
Recruitment features: Limited in-built recruiting features
HRAddict rating: ā
ā
ā
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ā 4.4
A flexible, affordable HR toolkit that scales with your business.
This is an independent review using aggregated insights and publicly available data.
BREAKROOM
SMART READS
āļø How to Write a Layoff Letter
š§ Should You Use Aptitude Tests? Pros & Cons
š§ Questions You Should Ask When Checking References
