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TECH

Displaced?

Image of a person's head covered by an AI-labeled dark cloud.

Photoschmidt/Getty Images

New research from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) finds that 12.6% of current roles in the US are at high risk, or very high risk, of displacement due to the proliferation of AI-powered tools across the American workplace.

The report doesn’t attempt to forecast future job losses stemming from automation, but instead looks at the exposure of the current US workforce. Many technologists note that the adoption curve for technology is long, and with many HR teams racing to become AI-enabled in 2025, the AI penetration at the enterprise level is just beginning.

The report found blue-collar, service, and administrative support roles are disproportionately affected by the technology and are at higher risks than other occupations. Additionally, finance and insurance, manufacturing, and transportation and warehouse roles report the highest exposure to automation-driven disruptions, the report found.

For more on AI automation and ways HR can transform roles effectively, keep reading here.—AD

Presented By Paradox

No script, no filter

Just a convo with some of the very best in talent acquisition.

That’s what you get when you tune in to The Conversation from Paradox, where two top leaders talk all things TA.

The first episode of The Conversation features Hattie B’s Hot Chicken Director of Culture Lola Conway and Hamra Enterprises (Panera, Wendy’s, Noodles & Co.) SVP of HR Sonja Breuer chatting about all things tech, talent, culture, and…parachute pants? You’ll have to tune in to find out.

With about 250 restaurant locations and two big personalities between them, these leaders had a lot to talk about.

Hit play on the first episode of The Conversation.

DEI

Unwelcome home

Home Depot recently took down the “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion” page from its website (left) and replaced it with a page called “WeAreTHD” that makes no mention of diversity. Wayback Machine, Home Depot

After months of pressure from conservative groups, much of it preceding President Trump’s January demand that all public agencies and private businesses dismantle their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, The Home Depot has quietly removed the section of its website that championed its commitment to DEI.

“We strive to ensure that our company culture maintains a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment so that we can attract and retain the best employees, amplify their unique experiences and ideas, and strengthen the communities where we operate,” begins a recently removed page from The Home Depot’s website with the heading “Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.” “We believe this commitment has been a competitive advantage and key to our long-term success, which is why we continue to build a culture of understanding, acceptance, and appreciation.

The page, available now only through the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, was taken down sometime after March 28, the last of 52 times since July 22, 2022, that the Wayback Machine had saved the page.

For more on Home Depot’s removal of the DEI page from its website, keep reading on Retail Brew.—AAN

HR STRATEGY

Coworking with David Daniels IV

Credit: David Daniels IV

Many HR professionals who move from one function within the field to another didn’t necessarily expect to take that path—but their careers have benefitted from it.

That was the case for David Daniels IV, an HR consultant who began his career in recruiting for startups.

“I sort of branched out and became an HR business partner, which also saw me overseeing DEI back before it was called DEI,” he told HR Brew. That wasn’t unique for startups, though, because employees typically have less-defined job roles than larger organizations. “From there, my roles just kept expanding. Because I stayed in startups, that was always normal,” he added.

For more on Daniels’s path to success and his thoughts on key HR trends, keep reading here.—PM

Together With Paycor

Driving business results takes talent. Whether business is booming or you’re struggling to fill open roles, now is always the right time to focus on talent. Keep Paycor’s latest guide, Future-Proof Your Talent Pipeline, handy as you prepare for the next era of work. Grab your copy.

WORK PERKS

A desktop computer plugged into a green couch.

Francis Scialabba

Today’s top HR reads.

Stat: Some 3% of Microsoft employees will receive pink slips after the technology giant announced it would be laying off 7,000 employees as the company looks to invest in AI. (CNN)

Quote: “I think it’s actually going to be the era of the manager nerds now, where I think being able to manage fleets of AI agents and orchestrate them is going to make people incredibly powerful.”—Anthropic’s cofounder Jack Clark on a future of work with fewer employees managing agentic workflows (Business Insider)

Read: In a surprise move, the DOL abruptly drops its investigation into AI start-up Scale AI for wage and hour violations. (Inc.)

24/7 hiring: 54% of restaurant candidates apply after hours. So how are you supposed to reach them? Get the National Restaurant Association’s Workforce Technology Report to find out + learn other recruitment and retention strategies.*

^{*A message from our sponsor..}

The gig workforce shift

an illustration of independent contractor paperwork

Amelia Kinsinger

As gig work becomes more prevalent, HR departments face new challenges in managing a workforce that increasingly includes freelancers and independent contractors. This article explores the growth of gig work, the legal and compliance issues it can cause, and strategies for integrating contingent workers into talent plans. You’ll also learn best practices for recruiting, managing, and retaining freelance talent.

Check it out

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Written by Adam DeRose, Andrew Adam Newman, and Paige McGlauflin

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