HR Brew // Morning Brew // Update

April 21, 2026

Hello, hello! HR pros understand the power of a strong mediator, as they often are tasked with deescalating conflicts in the workplace. Those considering a career change might want to look at international relations: The US is once again attempting to coax Iran into negotiations to end the war in the region and could probably use some help.

In today’s edition:

Looking ahead

Driving DEI

Stalling productivity

—Kristen Parisi, Adam DeRose, Layla Ilchi

DEI

Finding missteps

Anna Kim

Beyond the various discussions around DEI—and whether it’s good, bad, or somewhere in between—there’s a deeper conversation happening between DEI practitioners: how do you create and execute DEI training that will resonate with workers?

This comes at a time when some companies, including AT&T, Meta, and Molson Coors, have ended DEI training as part of wider DEI rollbacks, and as the Trump administration has publicly denounced them.

DEI practitioners committed to improving the efficacy of their trainings, despite all the noise, first need to understand the history of these initiatives, including the aspects that haven’t worked.

For more on the historical pitfalls of one-off DEI training, and how HR leaders can create lasting change, keep reading here.—KP

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DEI

External forces, internal decisions

Marketing Brew

A mixture of external and internal forces are contributing to the ongoing shifts in corporate DEI programming.

The Supreme Court’s 2023 decision on affirmative action in higher education was followed by the unraveling of DEI programs inside the federal government, as the executive branch directed regulatory enforcement efforts toward attacking DEI programs. President Trump’s use of the bully pulpit to advance a changing public narrative on DEI has seemingly contributed to heightened tensions about these programs inside some businesses.

Many HR professionals have been cautious about DEI programming in the second Trump era, with 60% of respondents saying that the current administration’s policies related to DEI have been among the main drivers of change to their organization’s DEI programs. This was followed by 37% citing a shift in leadership priorities and 36% citing legal or compliance requirements (survey respondents were asked to select up to three drivers).

For more on the external forces driving internal DEI decisions, keep reading here.—AD

TECH

The ‘AI trust barrier’

Francis Scialabba

Been eyeing that buzzy AI platform to help streamline your org? Getting it up and running is easier said than done. Cost, training, and even office politics can stand in the way of uprooting an old system and initiating your dream workflow.

A new report from revenue AI company Gong—which surveyed 2,000 US and UK-based business leaders—shows another roadblock stalling innovation: the “AI trust barrier.” It found that nearly half (46%) of companies’ planned AI investments are currently on pause due to trust concerns. The report also shows that 75% of leaders feel their companies are “falling behind when it comes to realizing AI’s most powerful benefits.”

The report details some of the main concerns contributing to this AI trust barrier.

For more on the AI trust barrier, and its effect on productivity, keep reading on Revenue Brew.—LI

Together With Paycor

No time for manual recruiting? Every step of the hiring process is a potential bottleneck. Paycor’s new report explores how HR teams can move candidates through the pipeline, keep recruiters on track, + reduce time-to-hire with AI. That’s less time spent on paperwork and more time doing what you do best.

WORK PERKS

A desktop computer plugged into a green couch.

Francis Scialabba

Today’s top HR reads.

Stat: Half of US workers say they use AI at least a few times a year for their job, while 13% report using it daily. (Gallup)

Quote: “Healthcare in the United States really scares both of us.”—Corey O’Flanagan, an American video editor who lives a nomadic lifestyle with his wife, on the couple’s reluctance to retire in or even visit the US for an extended period due to inadequate salaries and the healthcare system (the New York Times)

Read: In the past, young college graduates pursued graduate degrees to improve their employment prospects and wait out difficult periods in the labor market. New caps on federal loans for graduate school imposed by the Trump administration will eliminate that opportunity for many young professionals. (Bloomberg)

Think like a founder: Decisions, trade-offs, hard lessons—Founder Brew covers it all. Launching May 5 for founders, investors, and startup obsessives. Subscribe early.

JOBS

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Written by Kristen Parisi, Adam DeRose, Layla Ilchi, and Paige McGlauflin

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☕️ How to improve DEI training