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- 🌀 August Reset, 50+ HR Policies, AI Fueling Moonlighting - Aug 4, 2025
🌀 August Reset, 50+ HR Policies, AI Fueling Moonlighting - Aug 4, 2025
Prepping for Q4, a bundle of HR policy docs, overemployed workers using AI, and more workplace updates...
Hi, HR Pros! 👔 Midway through Q3, it’s the right moment to hit reset—just like your OOO reply. As we celebrate Obama’s birthday and National Black Business Month, let’s refresh our people strategies before Q4 sneaks up (again)…
On today’s agenda:
🌀 Your August reset
🎭 AI fueling overemployment
📱 Connecteam review
 | WEEKLY GOODY |
THE HR SPOTLIGHT
🌀 August Reset: Reboard, Recharge & Reboot for a Smoother Q4
August is the ideal time for HR pros to reset, recharge, and refocus. With PTO lagging and Q4 around the corner, it’s time to reboard, reprioritize, and revitalize your team experience.
⚠️ The situation: Why August demands a reset.
Recent data shows 47％ of U.S. employees let PTO go unused in 2024, even though 75％ want more leave. (Solitaired)
BambooHR confirms in April 2025 that U.S. PTO requests and approvals dropped to 34％ and 17％ respectively. (Bamboo HR)
Meanwhile, hiring is slowing, openings are rising, and turnover is dropping—so building morale sets up a stronger Q4.
✅ What HR can do: Review and refresh.
Reboard your teams: Host micro check-ins or mini “welcome back” sessions for returning staff or those shifting roles.
Encourage PTO usage: Share stats or stories, then create a PTO challenge or calendar.
Kickstart Q4 planning: Bring managers into collaborative goal setting. Use insights from the previous quarter to consolidate tech, align flexibility policies, and lock down staffing needs.
Simplify plans: Use bullet‑proof PTO tracking tools—automated systems boost transparency and reduce manual error.
A strategic August refresh on reboarding, PTO and Q4 planning reinvigorates culture, boosts retention, and gives HR momentum heading into fall.
📌 Want to kick it up a notch? Get your team all fired up after the summer lull with HRAddict’s Creative Engagement and Activity ideas »
TODAY’S CULTURE CUE
⚡ Refresh Your People Priorities: Review one key HR goal from Q3—revise, drop, or double down to align with year-end priorities. One tweak today saves a scramble tomorrow.
WEEKLY STEAL
📕 50+ Fillable Documents — Download this HR Policies Bundle
This HR Policies Bundle will help you to regain time, reduce risk, and keep your workplace running smoothly. Perfect for businesses that want to stay ahead, not behind.
What’s inside:
📜 Up-to-Date Policies – Covering everything from employee conduct to performance and beyond.
🛡️ Legal Protection – Policies designed to meet the latest industry standards.
🧑🤝🧑 Fully Customizable – Tailor each document to reflect your company’s unique values and culture.
💼 Fair & Transparent – Foster a positive work environment for both employees and management.
Community promo ends Aug 7, midnight EST.
THE HR PULSE
😶 AI Isolation Risk Grows - HR Dive
What’s unfolding: A recent report warns AI in the workplace may unintentionally drive social isolation. This can cut down on collaboration and reduce organic workplace connections, especially when used without thoughtful integration into daily workflows.
Why it matters: HR teams must ensure AI adoption doesn't erode the social glue that keeps teams strong. Consider pairing AI training with team rituals or collaboration-focused policies to keep communication alive and culture intact.
🧹 AI to Clean Up “Soul-Crushing” Work - HR Grapevine
What’s unfolding: ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott recently claimed AI will liberate workers from “soul-crushing” tasks, like paperwork and bureaucratic approvals, calling it “a productivity revolution.”
Why it matters: Offloading repetitive work not only boosts engagement but also frees up time for innovation, learning, and high-impact collaboration. The key? Reskill workers so they’re ready for the new shape of their jobs when automation kicks in.
👟 Gen Z Shakes Up Hiring Norms - MSN
What’s unfolding: With Boomers retiring en masse, Gen Z is influencing how companies approach hiring. U.S. companies are starting to shift toward non-traditional career paths to appeal to younger talent.
Why it matters: HR needs to evolve faster to stay attractive. Traditional career ladders and rigid job postings may fall flat with Gen Z. Think values-first messaging, inclusive benefits, and clear, authentic employer branding. Flexibility is a baseline expectation now.
RESOURCE ROUNDUP
 | Croner UK |
 | BLR |
 | Paycor |
COMPLIANCE CORNER
🛑 Florida Expands Non-Competes - Nat Law Review
What’s unfolding: The ATaking effect last month, the Act enhances Florida employers’ ability to implement and enforce restrictive covenants agreements, increasing the allowable duration of such contracts and lowering the bar for enforcement
HR implications: HR in Florida must reassess employment contracts immediately—outdated non-compete clauses could now be unenforceable. Legal review is a must to prevent compliance risks.
🛂 H-2A Fee Relief for Employers - BAL
What’s unfolding: The U.S. has temporarily suspended labor certification fees for H-2A agricultural visas, easing cost burdens for seasonal employers.
HR implications: If you're hiring under H-2A, taking advantage of the suspension period could help cut recruitment costs. HR and legal teams should act quickly to benefit from this fee suspension while it lasts.
⚖️ DOJ Tightens Corporate Crime Guidance - Skadden
What’s unfolding: The U.S. Attorney General issued a memo that provides sweeping guidance, clarifying the legal obligations of federal funding recipients — including public and private employers.
HR implications: Now’s the moment to stress-test programs and policies for federal law compliance. HR plays a central role in documenting and monitoring compliance issues—implement best practices outlined in the guidance.
TREND WATCH
🎭 Employees Double-Dipping on Jobs Using AI
Digesting the data: AI isn’t just helping employees do their jobs—it’s helping some do multiple jobs at once. According to a recent report, employees are now leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT, AutoGPT, and coding assistants to secretly hold down two or more full-time roles. These “overemployed” workers automate portions of their workload to remain under the radar—while doubling their income.
While side hustles aren't new, what's different now is the speed and stealth enabled by AI. This underground trend highlights both the power of AI and the growing disconnect between employers’ visibility and employee productivity.
Outlook for HR: HR leaders now face a tough question: Is someone meeting expectations because they’re excelling—or because an AI is doing half the job? This trend raises the stakes for performance monitoring, digital ethics policies, and rethinking what “full-time” work means in a post-AI world. Transparency and output-focused management—not surveillance—will be key to staying ahead of the curve.
👀 Want the full scoop? Read the report at HCAMag »
UPCOMING EVENTS
 | August 7, Virtual - Paycor |
 | August 28, Virtual - WorkBright |
 | On-demand, Virtual - Factorial HR |
HR TECH WATCH
📱 A Review of Connecteam: All-in-One App for Deskless Teams
Why we selected it: An all-in-one HR and operations platform that’s hugely popular with frontline and mobile teams—used by over 36,000 businesses across industries.
Key features:
Employee Communication Hub – Share updates, chat, and engage with teams in real time.
Task Management & Scheduling – Drag-and-drop shift planner with real-time updates.
Mobile Training – Deliver onboarding and training directly through the app.
Time Tracking with GPS – Log hours and location seamlessly from mobile devices.
Pros:
| Cons:
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HRAddict rating: ★★★★☆ 4.5
A smart, scalable tool that helps HR and ops stay connected to frontline workers—without the tech headache.
This is an independent review using aggregated insights and publicly available data.
BREAKROOM
SMART READS
🎓 What Online Degrees Reveal About Employee Motivation
🎁 Remote Employee Perks You Should Offer
📘 The Complete HRM Guide for 2025
QUICK POLL
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