The EBN Dispatch
Employer Branding News (EBN) comes to your ears with the same dry wit and disruptive insights you’ve come to expect from our articles and videos. We tackle the world of work, employer branding, recruitment, culture and everything in between, with a raised eyebrow and a data-backed argument. If you’re a company leader, HR rebel, or just someone who thinks ”culture fit” is a lazy excuse, you’re in the right feed. Each episode unpacks real-world employer brand moves, cuts through corporate speak, and challenges tired talent narratives. Less fluff, more facts. Occasionally funny. Always unfiltered.
Episodes
Sunday Jul 20, 2025
[20 JUL] Paper Cut - Work Is Having an Identity Crisis
Sunday Jul 20, 2025
Sunday Jul 20, 2025
Layoffs blamed on AI, return-to-office rules nobody can enforce, and a culture gap employees are ready to quit over. This week’s Paper Cut slices through the noise for HR and employer-brand leaders. No fluff, just facts.📰 Subscribe to the free Paper Cut newsletter: https://ebn.to/sub25🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25⸻📌 Sources & LinksAI Cuts Both Ways‘AI impact feels way more real now’: Microsoft lays off employee who was with the company for 5 yearshttps://www.financialexpress.com/trending/ai-impact-feels-way-more-real-now-microsoft-lays-off-employee-who-was-with-the-company-for-5-years/3914921/AI could create these new jobs despite gloomy forecasts, experts sayhttps://abcnews.go.com/Business/ai-create-new-jobs-despite-gloomy-forecasts-experts/story?id=123607557RTO Rebellion 2.0Fear of being ordered back to office affecting UK staff wellbeing, poll findshttps://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jul/15/fear-of-being-ordered-back-to-office-affecting-uk-staff-wellbeing-poll-findsStarbucks shifts to 4-day RTO for corporate employeeshttps://www.hrdive.com/news/starbucks-four-day-a-week-rto-rule-seattle-toronto/753119/Culture Credibility TestNearly half of workers have considered quitting over employer’s ethics, report findshttps://www.hrdive.com/news/workers-have-considered-quitting-over-employers-ethics/753171/Leadership Lip ServiceMcKinsey Research Reveals a Solution to Overwhelmed and Exhausted CEOshttps://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/mckinsey-research-reveals-a-solution-to-overwhelmed-and-exhausted-ceos/91212953⸻#FutureOfWork #EmployerBranding #TalentStrategy #RTO #AIJobs
Sunday Jul 13, 2025
[13 JUL] Paper Cut - Robots, Remote Reality and Gen Z Burnout
Sunday Jul 13, 2025
Sunday Jul 13, 2025
AI reversals. Office showdowns. Gen Z burnout. This Paper Cut slices the hype so HR and employer-brand leaders can act—fast. No fluff, just facts.📰 Subscribe to the free Paper Cut newsletter: https://ebn.to/sub25🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25⸻📌 Sources & Links:AI Clean-up CostsCompanies That Tried to Save Money With AI Are Now Spending a Fortune Hiring People to Fix Its Mistakes (https://futurism.com/companies-fixing-ai-replacement-mistakes)AI could determine whether you get hired or fired as more managers rely on the technology at work (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ai-hired-fired-promotion-managers/)Indeed and Glassdoor to lay off 1,300 workers as AI shakes up job search business (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/indeed-glassdoor-layoffs-ai-job-search/)Futurist Adam Dorr on how robots will take our jobs: ‘We don’t have long to get ready – it’s going to be tumultuous’ (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/jul/09/futurist-adam-dorr-robots-ai-jobs-replace-human-labour)Remote Reality Check3M ending ‘Work Your Way’ remote flexibility with four in-office days (https://www.startribune.com/3m-end-remote-work-your-way-policy-four-day-in-office-september/601402999)Amazon Luxembourg grants employees one day of remote work per week (https://today.rtl.lu/news/luxembourg/a/2319759.html)JPMorgan offered return-to-office perks that are remarkably similar to the show 'Severance' (https://www.upworthy.com/severance-jpmorgane-perks-ex1)Who’s Still Working from Home in 2025? A Look at America’s Telework Trends (https://eyeonhousing.org/2025/07/whos-still-working-from-home-in-2025-a-look-at-americas-telework-trends/)Gen Z in FreefallAt Singapore unis, undergrads fight for places at coveted finance clubs (https://www.straitstimes.com/business/banking/at-singapore-unis-undergrads-fight-for-places-at-coveted-finance-clubs)Rise in job switches among Gen Zs; more employees taking ‘micro-retirement’ breaks, say experts (https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-employment-trends-micro-retirement-career-conversion-gen-z-5225866)Why are Gen-Z ‘crashing out’? Experts concerned about this worrisome trend (https://www.financialexpress.com/trending/why-are-gen-z-crashing-out-experts-concerned-about-this-worrisome-trend/3905936/)‘Unhappiest' Job Sector in America Named in New Study (https://www.mensjournal.com/news/unhappiest-job-sector-america-named-new-study)Brand Battles in a Cooling MarketIn search of the most attractive employers: here is Randstad’s global employer branding top list (https://trademagazin.hu/en/a-legvonzobb-munkaadok-nyomaban-itt-a-randstad-globalis-employer-branding-toplistaja/)Google salaries revealed: how much the search giant pays software engineers and other key roles amid the AI boom (https://www.businessinsider.com/google-salaries-revealed-software-engineers-paid-2025-7)Job Postings Decline in All Industries; Education and Healthcare Jobs Fare the Best (https://www.indeed.com/press/releases)⸻#EmployerBrand #FutureOfWork #TalentStrategy #RemoteWork #GenZ #AIatWork
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
[06 JUL] Paper Cut - Shorter Weeks, Sharper Output
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
Sunday Jul 06, 2025
This week’s Paper Cut slices through four‑day week wins, stealth layoffs, and Gen Z’s new survival tricks. No fluff, just the facts senior HR leaders need.📰 Subscribe to the free Paper Cut newsletter: https://ebn.to/sub25🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25⸻📌 Sources & Links:Shorter Weeks, Sharper OutputStudy: 4 day work week benefits employers (https://www.abccolumbia.com/2025/07/03/study-4-day-work-week-benefits-employers/)17 companies switch to 4-day work week in UK (https://www.azernews.az/region/244144.html)Layoffs in DisguiseMicrosoft to cut about 4% of jobs amid hefty AI bets (https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/microsoft-lay-off-many-9000-employees-seattle-times-reports-2025-07-02/)Are buyouts replacing layoffs? How big tech is quietly cutting jobs (https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/artificial-intelligence/are-buyouts-the-new-layoffs-why-big-tech-is-quietly-paying-workers-to-leave-10080174/)Amazon Orders 350,000 Employees To Relocate Or Resign Without Severance (https://styleonmain.net/amazon-orders-350000-employees-to-relocate-or-resign-without-severance/)AI Angst, Manual MuscleGen Z is ditching college for ‘more secure’ trade jobs—but building inspectors, electricians and plumbers actually have the worst unemployment (https://fortune.com/2025/07/02/gen-z-ditching-college-secure-trade-jobs-blue-collar-electricians-and-plumbers-worst-unemployment-rate-than-office-jobs/)Silicon Valley investor Vinod Khosla predicts AI will replace 80% of jobs by 2030—and take much of the Fortune 500 with it (https://fortune.com/2025/07/01/silicon-valley-investor-vinod-khosla-ai-job-prediction-interview/)IBM Lays Off 8,000 Employees for AI Automation, Only to Rehire Just as Many Soon After Because Of… (https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/06/ibm-lays-off-8000-employees-for-ai-automation-only-to-rehire-just-as-many-soon-after-because-of/)Etiquette Coaches and Hiring LoopsNearly all hiring managers say the process takes longer than 2 years ago (https://www.hrdive.com/news/hiring-time-lengthening/751699/)US firms hire etiquette coaches to rein in Gen Z employees (https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-firms-hire-etiquette-coaches-to-rein-in-gen-z-employees)‘I feel completely drained’: young professionals swamped by ‘infinite workdays’ (https://www.theguardian.com/money/2025/jun/22/young-professionals-infinite-workdays)⸻#PaperCut #FourDayWeek #FutureOfWork #Layoffs #GenZ
Sunday Jun 29, 2025
[29 JUN] Paper Cut - Algorithms at the Gates
Sunday Jun 29, 2025
Sunday Jun 29, 2025
This week’s Paper Cut cuts through consultancy chaos, skills‑first hype, and cultural charades so HR leaders can plan without panic. No fluff, just the signals.📰 Subscribe to the free Paper Cut newsletter: https://ebn.to/sub25🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25⸻📌 Sources & Links:Algorithms vs Accenturehttps://www.economist.com/business/2025/06/26/who-needs-accenture-in-the-age-of-aihttps://content.techgig.com/technology/intel-cuts-marketing-jobs-replaces-employees-with-ai-and-accenture/articleshow/122020738.cmshttps://www.cio.com/article/4012162/ai-begins-to-reshape-the-it-job-landscape-as-layoffs-rise.htmlhttps://www.businessinsider.com/will-ai-replace-take-over-create-jobs-debate-tech-leaders-2025-6https://digiday.com/marketing/how-employment-is-projected-to-transform-in-media-during-the-ai-era/Paper Ceilings, Skills Laddershttps://fortune.com/2025/06/23/jpmorgan-chase-ceo-jamie-dimon-in-demand-skills-gen-z-cyber-coding-computer-science-project-management/https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/talent-acquisition/skills-first-hiring-advances-career-mobility-paper-ceilinghttps://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/oped/letters/data-science-could-be-the-career-of-the-century-5094250https://www.businessinsider.com/ken-griffin-picking-the-wrong-career-advice-books-reading-citadel-2025-6https://www.hrdive.com/news/lack-of-training-after-layoffs/751732/Culture Wars in Cubicle Landhttps://hrnews.co.uk/new-global-study-reveals-the-open-office-is-failing-todays-workforce/https://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/singapore-workers-gen-z-gen-085924474.htmlhttps://hrsea.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/workplace/transforming-employees-into-brand-influencers-the-rise-of-authentic-storytelling/122088997https://www.rollingstone.com/culture-council/articles/companys-culture-impacts-new-college-graduates-entering-workforce-1235369225/Forecast: Patchy with Layoffshttps://www.hr-brew.com/stories/2025/06/26/employment-outlook-dips-economic-uncertaintyhttps://futurism.com/job-applications-ai-slop⸻#FutureOfWork #EmployerBranding #TalentStrategy #AIJobs #WorkplaceCulture #PaperCut
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
[22 JUN] PAPER CUT - Ultimatums, Algorithms, and the Vanishing Ladder
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Sunday Jun 22, 2025
Grim relocation deadlines, AI as a head-count diet pill, and a shattered entry-level market—this week’s Paper Cut slices through the spin so HR and employer-brand leaders get the facts. No fluff, just sharp insight.📰 Subscribe to the free Paper Cut newsletter: https://ebn.to/sub25🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25⸻📌 Sources & LinksClock-Punch CapitalismAmazon gives employees 30 days “deadline” to … or resign in 60 days — https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/amazon-gives-employees-30-days-deadline-to-or-resign-in-60-days/articleshow/121945280.cmsGoogle gives these employees three-days “warning” to … or leave the company — https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/google-gives-these-employees-three-days-warning-to-or-leave-the-company/articleshow/121831799.cmsGenpact introduces mandatory 10-hour workdays in India, sparking employee backlash — https://www.peoplematters.in/news/culture/genpact-introduces-mandatory-10-hour-workdays-in-india-sparking-employee-backlash-46013Scientists have studied remote work for 4 years and have reached a clear conclusion: working from home makes us happier — https://www.cmu.fr/en/scientists-have-studied-remote-work-for-4-years-and-have-reached-a-clear-conclusion-working-from-home-makes-us-happier-9712/AI: Corporate OzempicAmazon CEO tells employees to expect cuts to white-collar jobs because of AI — https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-ceo-says-generative-ai-expect-job-cuts-2025-6Intel to lay off 10 000+ employees, and why none of them will be getting any severance — https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/intel-to-layoff-10000-employees-and-why-none-of-them-will-be-getting-any-severance/articleshow/121933196.cmsScott Galloway has some choice metaphors to describe AI’s impact on workers — https://www.businessinsider.com/scott-galloway-ai-impact-on-workers-2025-6The Broken Career LadderChina’s youth unemployment stays stubbornly high ahead of crunch summer — https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3315028/chinas-youth-unemployment-stays-stubbornly-high-ahead-crunch-summerThe tech job market is rough for entry-level workers right now — https://farmingdale-observer.com/2025/06/13/the-biggest-fear-was-that-ai-would-steal-our-jobs-in-reality-its-replacing-those-of-people-who-are-learning-how-to-work/Class of 2025 college grads are facing the toughest job market … — https://news.yahoo.com/graduates-having-hard-time-finding-110849906.htmlCompanies are overhauling their hiring processes to screen candidates for AI skills— and attitudes — https://fortune.com/2025/06/11/ai-hiring-process-employee-skills-candidate/What It Means to Be Talented in the AI Age — https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomaspremuzic/2025/06/16/what-it-means-to-be-talented-in-the-ai-age/⸻#FutureOfWork #EmployerBrand #HRTrends #AIJobs #Layoffs #TalentStrategy
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
[15 JUN] PAPER CUT - Talent Whiplash: Million-Dollar Coders vs Mass Layoffs
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
Sunday Jun 15, 2025
The talent market snapped this week: Meta offers million-dollar packages while Google hands out buy-outs. Paper Cut slices through the spin so HR and employer-brand leaders see the real scoreboard. No fluff, just facts.📰 Subscribe to the free Paper Cut newsletter: https://ebn.to/sub25🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25⸻📌 Sources & LinksElite Brains, Empty Rungshttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/zuckerbergs-fantastic-50-worlds-2nd-richest-man-is-hiring-elite-coders-with-million-dollar-offers-to-build-the-most-powerful-ai-brain/articleshow/121776198.cmshttps://www.inc.com/bruce-crumley/new-research-finds-that-ai-is-creating-more-jobs-and-higher-pay/91199930https://decrypt.co/323916/ai-coming-jobs-faster-anyone-thoughCost Cuts Meet Code Frenzyhttps://apnews.com/article/google-layoffs-tech-869f86eb6b53044de2cf22a932b0213fhttps://qz.com/layoffs-us-job-cuts-challenger-gray-2025-tech-services-1851783674Soft Power or Busthttps://www.hrdive.com/news/3-in-5-employers-say-soft-skills-are-more-important-than-ever/750424/https://www.straitstimes.com/business/sense-of-belonging-at-work-why-it-isnt-just-a-nice-to-havehttps://www.stylist.co.uk/life/careers/quiet-cracking-at-work/990726Well-Being Miragehttps://www.businessinsider.com/deloitte-employee-wellbeing-policy-offers-1000-dollars-for-lego-2025-6https://www.computerworld.com/article/3998244/ai-chatbots-see-fast-adoption-but-deliver-minimal-productivity-gains-study-finds.htmlhttps://slate.com/life/2025/05/happy-hour-drinks-office-work-co-worker-colleague.html⸻#FutureOfWork #Layoffs2025 #EmployerBrand #TalentStrategy
Sunday Jun 08, 2025
[08 JUN] PAPER CUT — Interns Replaced, Entry-Level Erased, Wellness Ignored
Sunday Jun 08, 2025
Sunday Jun 08, 2025
Interns are out, algorithms are in. Entry-level jobs are being erased, McKinsey bots are building your decks, and career stability now depends more on who you know than what you know.This week’s Paper Cut breaks down the workplace headlines that matter—and what HR and employer brand leaders must do next.📰 Subscribe to the free Paper Cut newsletter: https://ebn.to/sub25🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25—📌 Sources & Links:AI replaces entry-level work:🔗 https://fortune.com/2025/06/05/openai-ceo-sam-altman-ai-as-good-as-interns-entry-level-workers-gen-z-embrace-technology/🔗 https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/ai-creates-powerpoints-at-mckinsey-replacing-junior-workers/492624🔗 https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-hiring-ai-recruitment-interviews-candidates-docs-coding-2025-6🔗 https://fortune.com/2025/06/05/anthropic-ai-automate-jobs-pretty-terrible-decade/🔗 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/google-ai-ceo-demis-hassabis-if-i-were-a-student-right-now-i-would-study-/articleshow/121586013.cmsGrads + Entry-level freeze:🔗 https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/02/business/jobs-market-college-graduate-economy🔗 https://www.reuters.com/business/procter-gamble-cut-7000-jobs-over-two-years-2025-06-05/🔗 https://www.cnbc.com/2025/06/05/corporate-layoffs-companies-making-job-cuts.html🔗 https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/microsoft-cuts-hundreds-more-jobs-after-firing-6000-in-may🔗 https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-hiring-white-collar-recession-jobs-tech-new-data-2025-6Networking & Quiet Firing:🔗 https://www.businessinsider.com/networking-important-new-job-economy-ai-2025-6🔗 https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/news/2025/05/30/quiet-firing-employers-employees-raises-benefits.htmlWellness ≠ Culture:🔗 https://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/how-leaders-can-build-a-culture-of-wellness-outside-the/491726🔗 https://www.fastcompany.com/91343512/why-the-ai-age-makes-11-meetings-redundant-ai-11-meetings—#FutureOfWork #EntryLevelJobs #EmployerBranding #HRTrends #AIinWorkplace #PaperCut #CareerStrategy
Sunday Jun 01, 2025
Sunday Jun 01, 2025
Gen Z would rather scrub hospital floors than code in a surveillance-heavy tech culture. Entry-level roles are evaporating. HR and DEI are going stealth to survive. And oddly enough, Unilever’s ice cream factory workers have more job security than most knowledge workers.This week’s Paper Cut slices through the spin to give HR and employer brand leaders the insight they actually need. No fluff, just facts. Here’s what’s really going on at the edge of work.📰 Subscribe to the free Paper Cut newsletter: https://ebn.to/sub25🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25⸻📌 Sources & Links:Gen Z says “No thanks” to Big Tech:🔗 https://fortune.com/2025/05/28/gen-z-tech-jobs-healthcare-workplace-trust/🔗 https://www.vox.com/future-of-work/24093495/gen-z-open-office-backlash🔗 https://www.businessinsider.com/gen-zs-problem-with-office-jobs-and-their-search-for-meaning-2025-5Entry-level tech jobs vanish:🔗 https://www.businessinsider.com/entry-level-tech-jobs-hard-find-gen-z-2025-5🔗 https://www.businessinsider.com/meta-raises-performance-expectations-post-layoffs-2025-5🔗 https://futurism.com/amazon-training-ai-only-coders🔗 https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/jpmorgan-asks-managers-to-resist-hiring-as-ai-takes-over-11699428514798.html🔗 https://www.ndtv.com/business/ibm-has-replaced-8-000-jobs-with-ai-report-5466840HR & DEI reset mode:🔗 https://www.hcamag.com/us/news/general/dei-goes-stealth/486759🔗 https://www.hcamag.com/ca/news/general/hr-leaders-confident-but-cautious/486873🔗 https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/hr-magazine/hr-tech-trends-2025🔗 https://fortune.com/2025/05/26/mckinsey-layoffs-5000-jobs/🔗 https://www.economictimes.com/tech/technology/microsoft-employee-fired-by-algorithm-after-25-years-of-service-report/articleshow/110272451.cmsEconomic freeze, warm scoop:🔗 https://www.ilo.org/global/about-the-ilo/newsroom/news/WCMS_918540/lang–en/index.htm🔗 https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/unilever-ice-cream-factory-workers-job-guarantee-2025-05-27/🔗 https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/volvo-layoffs-19-billion-reset-2025-05-28/🔗 https://www.ft.com/content/8304b664-3fd3-4cfc-933d-987ed0e6b7e3⸻#FutureOfWork #GenZWork #EmployerBranding #HRTrends #AIFuture #WorkplaceReality #PaperCut #DEI2025 #RemoteWork #TalentStrategy #WorkNews2025 #Layoffs2025
Sunday May 25, 2025
[25 MAY] Paper Cut - Weekly Employer Branding Headlines
Sunday May 25, 2025
Sunday May 25, 2025
Straight talk on talent, tech, and the future of work.This week: AI layoffs, consulting chaos, performance reviews as layoff prep, and Gen Z opting out. Your employer brand’s next big test isn’t just retention, it’s relevance.📰 Subscribe to the free Paper Cut newsletter: https://ebn.to/sub25🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25—🔗 SOURCES & LINKSAI Ate My JobWorkday AI hiring discrimination lawsuit – CNNhttps://edition.cnn.com/2024/06/17/tech/workday-ai-hiring-lawsuit/index.htmlMicrosoft algorithmic layoff story – Economic Timeshttps://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/employee-of-25-years-let-go-by-microsofts-algorithmic-layoff-post-goes-viral/articleshow/109492380.cmsIBM replaces 8,000 with AI, then rehires – Indian Defence Reviewhttps://www.indiandefencereview.com/news/ibm-fires-employees-replaces-them-with-ai-and-rehires-others/JPMorgan urges managers to resist hiring – TOIhttps://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/international-business/jpmorgan-urges-managers-to-resist-hiring-reports/articleshow/109435731.cmsTikTok layoffs by memo – Business Insiderhttps://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-layoffs-done-by-email-employees-asked-not-to-return-2024-5—Consulting Crisis + Bonus CutsDeloitte cuts bonuses, scales hiring – Telegraphhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/05/20/deloitte-bonus-cuts-job-freeze/Big Four under AI threat – Business Insiderhttps://www.businessinsider.com/ai-disrupting-big-four-accounting-firms-deloitte-kpmg-2024-5—Performance Reviews, Layoffs, and HR IronyMeta increases “below expectations” ratings – Business Insiderhttps://www.businessinsider.com/meta-ramping-up-underperformer-ratings-performance-review-layoffs-2024-5Meta HR manager laid off – Business Insiderhttps://www.businessinsider.com/meta-lays-off-hr-manager-performance-review-fears-2024-5—Remote Wins, Gen Z Opts OutRemote work beats office mandates – The Guardianhttps://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/may/19/remote-working-productivity-mental-healthGen Z turning NEET – Fortunehttps://fortune.com/2024/05/22/gen-z-dropouts-neets-labor-shortage-quit-culture/—#employerbranding #futureofwork #talentstrategy #layoffs #aiworkplace #genzworkforce #paperCut
Sunday May 18, 2025
[18 MAY] Paper Cut - Weekly Employer Branding Headlines
Sunday May 18, 2025
Sunday May 18, 2025
Silicon Valley wants to replace all human workers? That’s not a headline, it’s a business model.This week on Paper Cut:🤖 AI: Eliminate as Many Humans as Possible🧱 Middle Management Gets the Axe📉 Global Confidence Collapses🚫 Gen Z Opts Out of LeadershipAs tech elites pitch an AI-powered world with no humans required, the workforce is left wondering: where do we fit in? From sweeping layoffs to a quiet rebellion against the ladder, this week’s headlines are a masterclass in future-of-work disruption.📰 Subscribe to the free Paper Cut newsletter: https://ebn.to/sub25🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25—🔗 Links From This Episode🤖 AI: Eliminate as Many Humans as Possible• The Guardian: Silicon Valley wants to replace all human labourhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/12/for-silicon-valley-ai-isnt-just-about-replacing-some-jobs-its-about-replacing-all-of-them• GitHub CEO: Humans still matter (for now)https://thenewstack.io/github-ceo-on-why-well-still-need-human-programmers/• Amazon: New human jobs in an AI worldhttps://techcrunch.com/2025/05/11/amazon-offers-peek-at-new-human-jobs-in-an-ai-bot-world/• Alibaba: AI will be the backbone of operations in 3–5 yearshttps://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3309905/ai-will-be-mainstay-alibabas-business-next-3-5-years-chairman-joe-tsai-says—🧱 The Middle Cuts: Career Purgatory Gets the Axe• Amazon CEO: Cut middle managers who “fingerprint everything”https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/amazon-ceo-lays-out-plans-to-cut-middle-managers-who-want-to-put-their-fingerprint-on-everything/ar-AA1D3JEd• More middle managers facing layoffshttps://www.businesstimes.com.sg/working-life/leadership/more-middle-managers-are-being-laid• TD Magazine: Middling Returns—The middle manager dilemmahttps://www.td.org/content/td-magazine/middling-returns• Microsoft: Global 3% headcount reductionhttps://www.personneltoday.com/hr/microsoft-to-cut-3-of-jobs-worldwide/—📉 Global Layoffs & Confidence Collapse• Nissan to cut 20,000 jobs globallyhttps://ciosea.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/corporate/nissan-to-cut-20000-jobs-globally-following-a-4-5b-annual-loss/121155018• Reuters: 10,000+ job cuts at Nissan confirmedhttps://www.reuters.com/sustainability/nissan-cut-over-10000-more-jobs-globally-nhk-reports-2025-05-12/• Panasonic to cut 10,000 roles globallyhttps://www.hcamag.com/asia/news/general/panasonic-to-cut-10000-jobs-globally-to-streamline-workforce/535331• Burberry announces 1,700 job cutshttps://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/consumer-healthcare/burberry-cut-1700-jobs-turnaround-bid• S&P Global: Labour market risk outlookhttps://www.spglobal.com/marketintelligence/en/mi/research-analysis/global-labour-market-risks-tilt-to-the-downside-as-business-confidence-plunges-May25.html—🚫 Gen Z to Leadership: “Hard Pass”• Gen Z opts out of management to protect mental healthhttps://www.businessinsider.com/gen-z-consciously-unbossing-avoid-management-roles-preserve-mental-health-2025-4—💼 Looking for jobs in employer branding, HR, or recruitment marketing?Browse our job board: https://jobs.employerbranding.news/#FutureOfWork #EmployerBranding #HRTrends #Layoffs #AIJobs #GenZ #EVP #TalentStrategy #MiddleManagement #PaperCut