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- 🕊️ MLK-Inspired Equity, Background Check Whiplash, Leapsome Review - Jan 19, 2026
🕊️ MLK-Inspired Equity, Background Check Whiplash, Leapsome Review - Jan 19, 2026
Strategies for true workplace equity, class action lawsuit over background checks, see the Leapsome software in action, and that's just the tip of the iceberg...
Hey, People Leaders! ✨ As we mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day, let’s move from equality to equity at work—because fair isn’t one-size-fits-all. Let’s turn values into policies, not just posters.
On today’s agenda:
🚀 Review of Leapsome software
 | STEAL REMINDER - Ends January 19 MN EST |
THE HR SPOTLIGHT
🕊️ Equity vs. Equality — The Real Work Begins at the Workplace
As we honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day, it’s worth reflecting on how far workplace fairness has come — and how far it still has to go. And no, we don’t mean just updating your job descriptions again.
🤔 The Situation: Beyond Equal Footing
Lots of U.S. organizations talk DEI, but a big gap still exists between intent and real equity outcomes. Employees overwhelmingly value DEI — yet many organizations haven’t tied equity outcomes to leadership goals. For example, 81% of employers think scaling back DEI would hurt business, but less than half link DEI results to leadership evaluations.
Diverse workplaces aren’t just nice — they’re strategic: companies with diverse leadership are 33% more likely to outperform peers financially. But the equality baseline isn’t enough — leaders must pivot toward equitable practices that produce measurable impact.
💡 What HR Can Do: Practical Steps
1. Start with data — but go deeper: Track representation and pay outcomes by role and identity; benchmark against best practices.
2. Build equitable policies: Ensure hiring, promotions, and rewards focus on barrier removal, not just quotas. Launch or refresh mentorship/sponsorship for underrepresented talent.
3. Equip leaders: Train people managers to spot bias in reviews and talent decisions, and tie leadership goals to inclusive outcomes, not just headcount.
Equity isn’t a checkbox — it’s a culture choice that makes organizations stronger and smarter.
TODAY’S CULTURE CUE
🌱 Lead Towards Equity: Ask, Listen & Act — Ask each team one question: What helps you do your best work? Log patterns, pick one barrier, and fix it publicly.
THE HR PULSE
What’s unfolding: Nearly half of employees are hiding their use of AI at work, partly because they don’t think disclosure is required or fear being judged for “cutting corners.”
Why it matters: Hidden AI use can expose data security risks and erode trust if left unmanaged; clear policies and open dialogue can reduce anxiety and align practice with expectations.
👵 The Boomerang Boom — McKnight Senior Living
What’s unfolding: Older adults in parts of the Northwest and Southeast U.S. are delaying retirement or returning to the workforce in greater numbers than other regions.
Why it matters: HR leaders should understand that a growing older worker segment can affect workforce planning; creating flexible roles and combating age bias will help attract and retain this experienced talent.
🧪 Researchers Rehired — Yahoo
What’s unfolding: Hundreds of researchers who were recently laid off from the U.S. NIOSH are now being reinstated after legal and political pressure. The initial cuts had significantly reduced scientific capacity at a key workplace safety agency.
Why it matters: This underscores the ripple effects of workforce reductions in mission‑critical functions; proactive planning and communications help sustain morale and preserve essential expertise.
RESOURCE ROUNDUP
 | Trinet |
 | HR Morning |
COMPLIANCE CORNER
🏢 Illinois’ Privacy Policy Overhaul — NatLaw Review
What’s unfolding: Illinois has updated its Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act, now requiring employers to handle identity discrepancies more carefully.
HR implications: HR pros need to ensure their hiring and ID verification processes align with the new law to avoid potential violations. Be proactive in training teams and updating processes before the deadline.
🔍 Background Check Blues — HCA Mag
What’s unfolding: A top-rated worker is suing a dental staffing firm, claiming they were denied a job after a background check flagged an issue they claim was never disclosed.
HR implications: This case highlights the need for clear, transparent background check policies, especially when rejecting candidates based on discrepancies. HR should review their hiring practices and ensure full compliance with fair employment laws.
📅 FMLA Leave Faceoff — HR Dive
What’s unfolding: CSX Transportation is facing a jury trial over allegations of misusing intermittent FMLA leave policies. The case centers on whether the company improperly challenged an employee’s need for medical leave.
HR implications: This case serves as a reminder for HR teams to review and enforce clear FMLA guidelines, ensuring that both employees and employers are properly educated about their rights and responsibilities.
UPCOMING EVENTS
 | Jan 22, Virtual - HR Morning |
 | Jan 26-28, In-Person (Ottawa, Canada) - Cannexus |
HR TECH WATCH
🚀 A Review of Leapsome: The People Power Platform
Why we selected it: It’s a unified, AI-powered HR and people success platform that blends performance, engagement, goals, and HRIS in one solution and is widely praised for its usability and impact.
Key features:
AI-Powered Insights – Smart AI Copilot and analytics turn data into recommendations and action.
Performance & Feedback – Customizable performance reviews, continuous feedback, and OKR goal tracking.
Engagement & Surveys – Pulse surveys and sentiment analytics help HR measure and act on employee experience.
HRIS Core – Centralized employee data, workflows, and HR operations all in one platform.
Pros:
| Cons:
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HRAddict rating: ★★★★☆ 4.6
Leapsome is comprehensive HR platform that elevates performance, engagement, and operations — ideal for teams seeking a people-centric, data-driven HR solution.
This is an independent review using aggregated insights and publicly available data.
BREAKROOM
SMART READS
👀 Employee Monitoring Software for Your Workforce
📉 Effects of Poor Management at Work
🛑 Workplace Bullying Laws: What HR Must Know
 | STEAL REMINDER - Ends January 19 MN EST |
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