September 04, 2026

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Happy Friday! If you’re reading this, your Labor Day weekend hasn’t started yet. May this be the last work-related task on your to-do list for today.

In today’s edition:

💼 From passion to people to power

📖 Word of the day

💸 Compensation changes

—Mikaela Cohen, Adam DeRose, Natasha Piñon

HR STRATEGY

Music + people

Illustration: Morning Brew Inc., Photo: Allie Shulman

In 2013, Allie Shulman’s mom dropped her off in New York City with a suitcase, a lamp, and a dream to work in music and entertainment.

Like many 20-something creatives post college, Shulman told HR Brew that she knew she needed a day job to make ends meet while pursuing her passion, so she took what she thought would be a short-term job as a recruiter at a staffing agency.

“I was not career driven at all at that point. I just was like, ‘I’m here in New York, how can I live my dream being in a scene and being involved in culture?’” she said. “The job was just a way for me to be able to do that.”

Fast-forward 13 years, and that day job led to a decades-long career in HR. In her current role as VP of people and culture at music streaming company SoundCloud, she’s succeeded in marrying her passion with her profession, and has become the leader she wished she had when she was starting out.

For more on Shulman’s career, and how it’s made her the people leader she is today, keep reading here.—MC

Sponsored By Deel

Contractor here, employee there

Compliance isn’t optional—especially if you’re hiring foreign independent contractors.

US companies benefit from cost-effective access to a global talent pool, but foreign contractor relationships come with a distinct set of obligations and misclassification risks.

Skip the guesswork and avoid back taxes and penalties. This free compliance guide from Deel breaks down what determines contractor status in 150+ countries and covers:

necessary items in a compliant agreement, like scope of work, IP ownership, local law compliance, and governing law clauses
tax forms to collect according to worker type
global payment options differing in cost, timeline, and exchange rate

The guide draws on Deel’s global expertise: 150+ owned legal entities, 2,000+ in-country experts, and $20b+ in salaries processed annually. And it’s written for HR practitioners who need strategic clarity and tactical execution.

Foreign contract agreements need the local treatment. Use this free resource today.

TECH

Human resources information system (HRIS)

Francis Scialabba

A human resources information system (HRIS) is a platform of record for a company’s HR and people data. They generally include basic tools that can help with employee transactions, compliance, and recordkeeping, but can be more comprehensive.

Why have an HRIS? The HRIS is an unlock for HR departments, since employee records—and sometimes payroll, timekeeping, training, and other data—are stored in one centralized location. Many of these platforms also offer a bevy of analytics and data features, so leaders can make the best HR decisions for their company and their people. These systems generally operate in the cloud.

What are some examples of HRIS providers? Leading HRIS providers include Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, and UKG. They offer different levels of customization and integrate with partner players. Sometimes the integrations help cover a poorly designed internal feature (it’s hard to do it all and do it all well).

For more on the HRIS, and how it differs from an HCM, keep reading here.—AD

Sponsored By Vestwell

What an employee wants, what an employee needs. Not offering a retirement plan is a competitive disadvantage, according to Vestwell’s report. It notes that 61% of workers now describe the 401(k) as an expected baseline benefit. 25% say it’s important but not enough on its own. Read more insights on what today’s employees want from employers.

work perks

A desktop computer plugged into a green couch.

Francis Scialabba

Today’s top HR reads.

Stat: The average 401(k) balance hit $155,800 in the second half of 2026, up 13.1% YoY and an all-time high. (CNBC)

Quote: “Corporations are losing trust, like every other institution in the country right now…They’re out of touch with the experience of their employees on the ground.”—George Stern, a former McKinsey consultant and content creator, on the workplace horror stories being shared on social media (Fortune)

Read: The share of long-term unemployed Americans is on the rise. Many don’t understand why they can’t escape the job market. (Business Insider)

Don’t wing the paperwork: Foreign contractor relationships come with varying obligations, and misclassification means back taxes and penalties. Deel’s free compliance guide helps you skip the guesswork from the first agreement to risk management. Grounded in expertise for 150+ countries.*

^{*A message from our sponsor.}

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Written by Mikaela Cohen, Adam DeRose, and Natasha Piñon

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