THE HR BREAKDOWN
  • Microsoft issues alert on server software attack

    Microsoft issues alert on server software attack

    Microsoft has issued an alert about attacks on SharePoint server software used by government agencies and businesses to share documents within organizations, and has recommended security updates that customers should apply forthwith. U.S. state officials and private researchers say hackers have compromised U.S. federal and state agencies, universities, energy companies and an Asian telecommunications company….

  • Wells Fargo suspends all travel to China

    Wells Fargo suspends all travel to China

    Wells Fargo has suspended all travel to China after a banker was blocked from leaving the country, Reuters reports. The move follows Chenyue Mao, a Shanghai-born and Atlanta-based managing director at the banking giant, being subjected to an exit ban after she recently entered China. “We are closely tracking this situation and working through the…

  • Work-from-home ban relaxed for federal employees for religious reasons

    Work-from-home ban relaxed for federal employees for religious reasons

    The Trump administration has said federal staff can get permission to work from home or adjust their hours to accommodate religious fasts and prayers, after previously mandating that workers report to offices full time. Office of Personnel Management director Scott Kupor urged agencies to “adopt a generous approach” to allowing employees to work remotely before…

  • Inflation rises as tariffs bite

    Inflation rises as tariffs bite

    Recent data indicates that the U.S. trade war is beginning to impact consumer prices significantly. The Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index rose to 2.7% in June compared to the previous year, with core inflation, which excludes food and energy prices, at 2.9%. “With increases in categories like household furnishings, recreation, and apparel, import levies are…

  • Ford agrees to job protection scheme at its Cologne e-car site

    Ford agrees to job protection scheme at its Cologne e-car site

    Ford has agreed to a job protection scheme at its Cologne electric car plant covering more than 10,000 workers. Company and German employee representatives said voluntary redundancies are planned in response to sluggish adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). “The job cuts are primarily based on voluntary redundancies. The severance payments are generous and significantly better…

  • Back-to-school spending stalls in 2025

    Back-to-school spending stalls in 2025

    Deloitte’s latest forecast shows back-to-school spending will remain flat at $30.9bn – or $570 per student – due to rising prices and economic uncertainty. This represents a 7% drop from 2021 levels, with last year’s average at $586 per child. The survey of 1,203 parents found shoppers are cautious amid tariff-driven cost increases. Major retailers…