This edition of our HR News Roundup features items on HR titles, AI deepfake applicants, infinite workdays, HR laws for July, and much more.
What’s in a Title? The Rise and Fall of Chief Human Resources Officer
Jen Colletta, HR Executive
A 2024 analysis by Benson Executive Search of HR executive titles at the Fortune 50 found that 23 include CHRO, while 11—including half of the top 10—use chief people officer.
“Though the difference is subtle, the impact on how the role is perceived—by both employers and employees—can be significant,” researchers wrote in the report. “It underscores the evolving nature of leadership in HR and the growing recognition that people are a company’s most valuable asset.”
AI, Deepfakes, and the Rise of the Fake Applicant – What Employers Need to Know
Paul R. Barsness, Matthew C. Lonergan, Bradley Labor & Employment Newsletter
In an age of artificial intelligence and technological advances that improve the quality of deep fake programming, companies must remain vigilant to protect their brand and assets. They also have to be wary of who is applying for open positions. The person applying and going through the interview and selection process may not be the same as the person who shows up on the job. In fact, the person applying may not be a person at all.
As Job Expectations Grow, Workers Battle an ‘Infinite Workday,’ Microsoft Says
Carolyn Crist, HR Dive
Workers now face a “seemingly infinite workday,” where they scan emails before getting out of bed in the morning, attend countless meetings throughout the day and catch up on work during the evenings and weekends, according to a June 17 report from Microsoft.
For instance, mass emails with 20 or more recipients have increased 7% in the past year, Teams messages per person grew 6% year over year globally, and evening meetings held after 8 p.m. have increased 16% year over year as well.
“This points to a larger truth: the modern workday for many has no clear start or finish,” according to the report. “As business demands grow more complex and expectations continue to rise, time once reserved for focus or recovery may now be spent catching up, prepping and chasing clarity.”
Related: Managing the “Infinite Workday”: Employer Responsibilities in a 24/7 Work Culture
As Costs Rise, Employee Benefits Strategies Are Shifting to Prioritize Value
Tom Starner, HR Executive
Heightened economic uncertainty combined with increased financial pressures on budgets are transforming how HR and benefits leaders design employee benefit strategies, according to a recent survey.
The 2025 WTW Benefit Trends Survey from the global advisory, broking and solutions company found that employers are looking to spend smarter, sharpen focus and utilize benefits while continuing to drive engagement, retention and purpose. The survey was conducted this spring and included 696 U.S. employers, representing a broad range of industries in both the private and public sectors.
When asked what’s influencing changes to their employee benefits strategies, 90% of respondents cited costs, a significant jump from 67% in 2023. Other key issues include: competition for talent (52%); expectations for an enhanced employee experience (43%); cost of living (39%); and rising mental health issues (32%).
Your Employees Are Embracing “Loud Vacationing” And So Can You: 7 Tips For Building Supportive PTO Policies
Fisher Phillips
The trend for workers to hide their time off from their managers – known as “quiet vacationing” – has taken a sharp turn. Employees are now “loud vacationing” by openly sharing their travel plans and using their paid time off (PTO) without hesitation. While this should be a welcome shift for employers, it also highlights the importance of creating supportive policies that balance employee well-being with workplace productivity. How can you help your employees and your business thrive this summer and beyond? Here are seven tips to help you refresh your PTO policies.
The Case for Muting the Boss
Sanjay Khosla, Kellogg Insight
Do your company’s strategy meetings feel like “talk shops” in which senior leaders speak first and often, eclipsing others?
If so, you are not alone, says Sanjay Khosla, an executive coach and senior fellow and adjunct professor of marketing at the Kellogg School. Many leaders convene strategic-planning meetings that bring together colleagues from across functions and management levels but fail to capitalize on the talent in the room.
Often, these leaders drive their agendas instead of conducting “discovery workshops” where new ideas and junior talent may flourish, says Khosla. As a result, employees disengage and hold back from sharing information.
“This goes against the most fundamental principle of leadership: listening,” Khosla says. “If a leader believes they know everything, that is a problem.”
AMA Pens Letter to American People About Respiratory Vaccine Importance
Logan Lutton, Managed Healthcare Executive
Today, the American Medical Association (AMA), joined by 79 medical societies, addressed an open letter to the American people stating vaccines are still the best option to protect the public against influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and COVID-19.
… “With the severe influenza season the U.S. experienced during the 2024-25 respiratory virus season and the recognition that we will likely see another surge in respiratory viruses this fall, we know strong physician leadership is essential to reducing preventable illness, hospitalizations, and death,” the AMA letter said.
HR News Roundup: Quick Takes
- Employer Cheat Sheet for Workplace Laws Taking Effect July 1, 2025
- Employers’ 2025 Annual Pay Raises Have Been Lower Than Expected
- The Do’s and Don’ts of Internships
- Employers Should Regularly Check E-Verify for Authorization Status Changes, DHS Warns
- How to be Likeable at Work: Practical Tips to Enhance Your Likeability
- How to Respect Cultural Differences in Crucial Conversations
- 6 Ways to Respond to Someone’s Bad News
- 7 Words of Gratitude That Go a Long Way
- More Than Half of Top 100 Mental Health TikToks Contain Misinformation, Study Finds
- Starting a New Hospital Job? Here’s How to Adapt
- Measles in 2025: Prevention, Prophylaxis, and Workplace Policies
- Facing Economic Anxiety, 64% of Workers Say They Plan to get a Second Job or Start a Side Hustle
- 184 Million Logins for Instagram, Roblox, Facebook, Snapchat, and More Exposed Online
- 71% of New Hires Click on Phishing Emails within 3 Months
- 15 Ways to Protect Yourself From Fraud
From the Lighter Side …
- If you didn’t see this short, heartwarming clip of babies welcoming Daddy home over Fathers Day, check it our now. heartwarming.
- To commemorate the career of journalist and interviewer Bill Moyers on his recent passing, we offer this delightful and thoughtful interview with Maurice Sendak, noted author of the Where the Wild Things Are and many other beloved children’s books.
- John Hunter puts all the problems of the world on a 4’x5′ plywood board — and lets his 4th-graders solve them.
HR News – Blog posts you may have missed