HR News: Childcare Help Expires, Google Faces Gender Pay Lawsuit, Kaiser Permanente Workers Strike, Citigroup Layoffs, and More
HREN News Roundup for the Week of 10/2
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This is a weekly roundup of the latest in HR News.
Part of a rescue package that included funding for childcare, which the government has referred to as a "broken market," expired on Sept. 30. This meant "pulling a lifeline from more than 220,000 providers — about 80 percent of all child care centers across the country," according to The New York Times, which adds that about 30% of those providers will fold without these grants.
Childcare remains a big problem for employees around the United States, especially as employers begin enforcing return to office mandates. Previously, on HR Exchange Network, the Evil HR Lady suggested that Human Resources should not provide childcare for workers. You can see her explanation on the site. But others disagree. Let us know what you think on LinkedIn.
Google Faces Gender Discrimination Trial
Google Cloud Director Ulku Rowe says she was underpaid, and she's forcing the tech giant to answer for it in the first lawsuit to reach trial since 2018, when 20,000 Google employees walked out in protest of Google's treatment of women. Scheduled to begin on Oct. 10 in New York, the trial sets the stage for this executive to demonstrate that "she was hired at a lower level and salary than equally or less qualified men and that Google retaliated when she complained, denying her promotion opportunities and even demoting her," according to Wired.
This trial raises the question of whether employers are truly moving the needle on equal pay. It should motivate Human Resources leaders to continue audits and focus on ensuring fair and equitable treatment for all.
WATCH: Women at Work 2023
Kaiser Permanente Workers Go on Strike
About 75,000 unionized healthcare workers went on strike to protest poor working conditions and low pay from top medical employer Kaiser Permanente.
"Nurses, medical technicians and other support personnel at hundreds of Kaiser hospitals and clinics in California, Oregon, Washington state, Colorado, Virginia and the District Columbia, took to picket lines on Wednesday morning in the largest strike ever in the U.S. healthcare sector," according to Reuters.
The summer of strikes has turned into the fall of strikes. As a result, managing labor unions continues to be a top priority for many Human Resources Leaders, and HR Exchange Network offers many resources:
Citigroup Announces Layoffs
Citigroup, falling behind its competitors, is restructuring talent, and this shake up will include layoffs:
"Citigroup (C.N) managers are reviewing staff rosters to determine by November who will stay in place, be reassigned or laid off during its biggest reorganization in decades, according to a global memo to staff on Wednesday seen by Reuters."
Little is still known about specifics. However, Reuters reports that executives have said that the job cuts will be linked to roles and geography. Previously, Reuters reported that there would be a "focus on support areas with overlapping teams such as compliance and risk management, and spare profit-making units." More details should surface by November. In addition, the bank has begun the required consultations for layoffs with employees in the United Kingdom.
West Ham United Achieves Recognition for DEI
Recently, West Ham United earned the Premier League’s Equality Standard Advanced level recognition because of the soccer club’s ongoing dedication and commitment to what British people refer to as equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). It is the equivalent of the American diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) reference.
Soccer, known as football or futbol, in much of the rest of the world has had some challenges when it comes to racism and equity and inclusion efforts. Now, many clubs take a holistic approach that includes internal self-reflection and external action.
In other words, Human Resources may address DEI among players, coaches, staff, and administrators. But the organization as a whole then must reflect their values to their fans and customers at the stadium or who purchase their merchandise. While people don't always think of sports teams as having HR, they do - and the principles for carrying out DEI are the same.
READ AND WATCH: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Content
HREN Hot Topic, Popular Speaker Alert
The biggest news out of HR Exchange Network is next week's HR Exchange Talks on wellness and benefits with none other than Claude Silver, the Chief Heart Officer at VaynerMedia, whose unique approach to HR gets lots of attention. Silver is devoted to creating a people-centric organization that recognizes the unique talents and challenges that individuals bring with them to work. She will join HREN to disuss the links between benefits - and not just insurance and retirement savings - and employee wellness. Think about the purpose of one's work, the flexibility provided, treating employees like grown ups, and the list goes. Join us for free and bring questions, comments, and stories!
