Hi, People Pros!😉 It’s Never Give Up Day. Remember: your team’s ability to bend without breaking depends on you setting the tone. Lead the bounce-back and keep your people thriving.
On today’s agenda:
💪 Resilience in the workplace
🏴☠️ AIs violating privacy
🖥️ Cornerstone review
WEEKLY GOODY
Employee Development Template
In case you missed last week’s HR goody — unlock your team’s potential with this practical guide.
Only available to subscribers.
THE HR SPOTLIGHT
💪 Never Give Up: Building Workplace Resilience That Lasts
Never Give Up Day—the perfect moment to spotlight the HR spirit of resilience that turns challenges into comebacks. This week, we’re shining a light on perseverance. Let’s turn grit into growth!
🔴 The situation:
Remote work is still the norm, but not without friction. In Q2 of 2025, remote job postings rose 8％—reflecting steady remote demand. (FlexJobs)
Workers want flexibility and might leave without it. 23.7％ of U.S. workers worked remotely at least some of the time in February 2025; among those whose roles allow it, 75％ telework at least occasionally. Notably, nearly half say they'd be unlikely to stay if remote work was banned. (Pew Research)
Resilience pays off. A 2025 study shows highly resilient employees are 2× more effective at handling change and 50％ less likely to burn out. (PeopleHum)
🟢 What HR can do:
Launch “Never Give Up Day” shoutouts - Recognize remote rockstars who've pushed through glitches or schedule chaos—it’s free morale with a side of LOL.
Provide structured flexibility - Promote hybrid or remote options so your teams don’t quietly crack (or quit). Flexibility = retention and performance.
Build resilience via support tools - Use programs like EAPs, mindfulness sessions, and manager training to create your workplace’s emotional body armor.
Measure. Celebrate. Repeat. - Track resilience boost through evaluations or engagement surveys—and celebrate small wins, not just the big kahunas.
Share small wins on your channels - Turn these stories into clickable inspo—like “See how our team survived the Great Zoom Crash of ’25.” (Yep, still trending.)
This time, HR isn’t just surviving—it’s spearheading the comeback. Thank you for being the champions behind workplace resilience that lasts.
⏩ Keep the momentum going with HRAddict’s guide to People Development Strategies »
TOGETHER WITH DEEL
🧐 Spot Top Performers with This Free 9-Box Grid Assessment Template
Struggling to clearly see who’s ready for promotion, who needs development, and where your talent gaps are? The 9-Box Grid by Deel is a simple but powerful framework used by top HR teams to assess both performance and potential—and now you can get a ready-to-use, automated template for free.
✅ Two versions included – simple & advanced, in Excel + Google Sheets
✅ Auto-populated visuals – see your talent landscape at a glance
✅ Actionable next steps – built-in guidance for development plans
Whether you’re preparing for mid-year reviews or building your succession plan, this template will save you hours and give you a clearer, data-driven view of your people.
TODAY’S CULTURE CUE
🏋️ Resilience Boost: Flex-Your-Win-Day - Have each team member share one challenge they overcame last week. Celebrate wins together—boost resilience, morale, and a culture that never gives up!
THE HR PULSE
🔄 Layoff Loops: HR's Relentless Cycle - HR Dive
What’s unfolding: A recent survey reveals that 78％ of U.S.-based HR leaders conducted multiple rounds of layoffs within the past year, with 75％ of these layoffs occurring within six months of each other.
Why it matters: Frequent layoffs can erode trust and morale. HR leaders must focus on transparent communication, offer support resources, and explore alternative cost-saving measures to maintain workforce stability.
🛡️ Pentagon Axes $800M HR Software Project - HR Grapevine
What’s unfolding: The Pentagon is canceling two major HR software projects, totaling over $800 million, despite nearing completion, due to shifting priorities and political influences.
Why it matters: Inefficient project management and lack of strategic alignment can lead to significant financial losses. HR departments should ensure that technology investments are aligned with organizational goals and are subject to rigorous oversight.
❤️ Psychological Safety Over Toughness - HCA Mag
What’s unfolding: Rio Tinto's outgoing CEO emphasizes the importance of psychological safety over a tough work environment, citing research that supports its role in fostering innovation and performance.
Why it matters: HR professionals should cultivate an environment where employees feel safe to express ideas and take risks, as this leads to higher engagement and productivity.
RESOURCE ROUNDUP
Hacking HR Lab
Drive Real Transformation with the Change Capacity Metrics Toolkit
Learn to evaluate how well your organization frontline system is supporting change.
Download the toolkit »
WSMH
Strategies for Hiring, Orientation & Termination
Tips and strategies to protect all those involved in hiring and firing.
See details »
HR Zone
Best Practices for Correct Pronoun Use in Hiring
A reference guide on the correct pronoun usage and the best practices to use when hiring.
Learn more »
COMPLIANCE CORNER
💰 Ontario's $1B Buffer for US Tariffs - HR Reporter
What’s unfolding: Ontario has introduced a $1B financing program to assist business sectors impacted by U.S. tariffs. The initiative aims to help companies cover essential expenses such as payroll, leases, and utilities.
HR implications: HR professionals should advise eligible businesses to apply promptly, ensuring they meet the criteria. This support can help maintain workforce stability during economic uncertainties.
🏫 Court Grants California School Employees Right to Strike - SHRM
What’s unfolding: A California state appeals court ruling confirmed that public school employees have the right to strike for one day under the Educational Employment Relations Act.
HR implications: HR leaders in educational institutions must review and update labor relations policies to align with this ruling, ensuring compliance and preparing for potential short-term work interruptions.
📊 DOL Launches Transparency Dashboard - DOL
What’s unfolding: The U.S. Department of Labor has introduced a performance dashboard providing insights into the effectiveness of federally-funded workforce development programs, including data from local workforce development boards.
HR implications: HR professionals should familiarize themselves with this dashboard to assess the effectiveness of training programs and identify opportunities for improvement in workforce development strategies.
TREND WATCH
🏴☠️ AI Gone Rogue: Privacy Violations a Top Incident
Digesting the data: A recent Infosys report reveals that 95％ of C-suite and director-level executives have encountered at least one problematic incident related to AI, with privacy violations and systemic failures topping the list at 33％. These incidents have led to significant repercussions: 77％ reported financial losses, 53％ faced reputational damage, and 46％ dealt with legal consequences, including fines and settlements.
Outlook for HR: HR professionals must prioritize the implementation of Responsible AI (RAI) frameworks, as only less 2％ of organizations currently have adequate RAI controls in place. This proactive approach is essential not only for mitigating risks but also for unlocking more revenue streams and ensuring compliance with future AI regulations.
🔒 Don't let your AI policies be a black box—read the full report to shed some light on your organization's AI practices.
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 20, Virtual - SHRM
Workplace Unifying Diversity
Learn how to build teams that embrace differences and amplify each other’s strengths.
Sign up »
August 21, Virtual - Paycor
Integrating Total Rewards into Your Culture
Explore how to tailor rewards to meet diverse employee needs and motivations.
Register »
September 4, In-Person (London, UK) - LACE Partners
HR Analytics Summit 2025
Discover how to drive exceptional talent performance through the power of data-driven insights.
Attend this event »
HR TECH WATCH
🖥️ A Review of Cornerstone OnDemand: Powering People, Driving Performance
Why we selected it: Cornerstone OnDemand is a leading cloud-based HR and talent management platform trusted by over 7,000 organizations globally. It features a unified suite of tools to recruit, train, and develop employees, enhancing workforce agility and performance.
Key features:
Cornerstone Galaxy: An AI-powered platform integrating learning, performance, and HR functions for a cohesive talent management experience.
Cornerstone Learn: A comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS) that supports compliance training, skill development, and content curation.
Cornerstone Elevate: Tools for performance management, succession planning, and internal mobility, fostering career growth and leadership development.
Cornerstone Transform: Provides insights into workforce skills, enabling data-driven decisions and strategic planning.
Pros:
Complete features: Comprehensive suite covering recruitment, learning, performance, and HR functions.
Advanced analytics: AI-powered analytics for data-driven decision-making.
Scalability: Scalable for organizations of any size.
Customization: User-friendly interface with customizable features.
After-sales support: Strong customer support and training resources.
Cons:
Integration: Initial setup and integration can be complex.
Ease of use: Some users report a steep learning curve.
Cost: Pricing may be higher for smaller organizations.
HRAddict rating: ★★★★☆ 4.1
Cornerstone OnDemand is a robust HR platform that empowers organizations to manage and develop their workforce effectively, driving performance and growth.
This is an independent review using aggregated insights and publicly available data.
BREAKROOM
SMART READS
👤 Simple Steps to Creating a Candidate Profile
📨 How to Write a Redundancy Letter
🏆 Workplace Contests to Motivate Your Team
