AI & Work Design: A China auto labor HR leader says many “AI layoffs” are really business adjustments, and warns against panic while noting AI still can’t replace human judgment, ethics, and on-the-ground decisions. Empathy as HR Strategy: A HR leader argues empathy is becoming a core leadership skill as AI adoption accelerates, with HR positioned to prove ROI by redesigning work so people and AI each add value. Overwork & Productivity: A Korn Ferry survey finds nearly half of professionals say they’re too busy to deliver meaningful work, with many doing more than one role—fueling motivation drops. Religious Accommodation: The Second Circuit clarified the Title VII standard for religious accommodation claims, urging employers to tighten how requests are identified, evaluated, documented, and resolved. Return-to-Office Legal Limits: A federal appeals court rejected an ADA claim tied to full-time telework, signaling employers can still require in-office work even after pandemic history. Hiring Courtesy: A new look at “ghosting” shows response rates keep falling for both job seekers and recruiters, as professional courtesy erodes. Local HR & Equity: An Illinois school board push highlights staffing diversity gaps, with concerns that faculty representation hasn’t improved despite years of discussion. Workforce Planning Costs: A labor-cost piece urges HR to give CFOs earlier visibility into scheduling and overtime waste.