United States | Job Growth Hits Stall Speed

U.S. hiring slowed dramatically – only 73,000 jobs were added in July, far below expectations (~110,000). The unemployment rate ticked up to 4.2% (from 4.1% in June). Alarmingly, job gains for May and June were revised down by a combined 258,000, pointing to a sharper cooldown in the labor market than initially reported.

Canada | Labor Market Loses Momentum

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Canada | Surge in Employment, Yet Cautious Optimism

Canada’s job market rebounded in June, adding 83,100 jobs (+0.4%), lowering the unemployment rate slightly to 6.9%. It was the first significant gain since January, indicating recovery in sectors like education and services. However, small business confidence remains lukewarm. A CFIB survey showed more employers considering cuts: 16% of small businesses planned possible layoffs in July (up from 13% in June). Only 12% planned to hire (down from 15% a month earlier). Persistent cost pressures (e.g. rising taxes, weak customer demand) are tempering optimism, even as the overall labor market strengthens.

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Canada | Banks Reinforce 4-Day RTO Mandates

Several major Canadian banks are reinforcing return-to-office mandates, requiring employees to be onsite four days a week starting this fall. TD Bank plans to roll out in October/November, while BMO, RBC and Scotiabank are implementing similar changes in September. The move aims to strengthen culture and collaboration, though it raises concerns among employees about commuting stress, space constraints, and work-life balance. HR leaders are encouraged to support transitions with clear communication, flexible arrangements where possible, and readiness assessments of physical office capacity.

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United Kingdom | New Workplace Protections Planned

The UK government unveiled a roadmap for forthcoming employment law reforms. Key changes in the Employment Rights Bill are scheduled over the next two years. By April 2026, Britain aims to implement day-one rights to paternity leave, expanded Statutory Sick Pay, and a simplified process for trade union recognition, among other measures. In the nearer term, ministers announced they will ban non-disclosure agreements that silence victims of workplace sexual harassment or discrimination - ensuring NDAs can no longer be used to silence employees (legislation is expected by end of 2025). Lawmakers are also backing a proposal to extend bereavement leave to cover miscarriages before 24 weeks of pregnancy, a compassionate policy change that would broaden support for parents after early pregnancy loss.

🍁 Canada

Canada | Federal Government Expands Summer Jobs Program Amid Rising Youth Unemployment

In response to a significant increase in youth unemployment, with approximately 20% of returning students aged 15 to 24 unemployed in May - the highest rate since 2009 - the Canadian federal government is working on expanding the Canada Summer Jobs program.

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United States | Citi offers hybrid employees 2 weeks of remote work in August

Citi is allowing its hybrid employees to work remotely for two weeks in August. This perk is part of the bank's commitment to flexibility and its hybrid work model.

🍁 Canada

United States | US Agency Probes TCS Discrimination Claims Against American Employees

The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is investigating discrimination claims against Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) from former American employees who allege they were terminated to make way for Indian visa workers.

• May 14: Burberry to cut 1,700 jobs globally as part of a strategic shift.

• May 13: Microsoft cut 6,000 employees globally, 3% of workforce, focusing on AI.

• May 9: Panasonic announced 10,000 job cuts, about 4% of its global workforce, amid restructuring.

• May 8: Match Group (Tinder, March.com) cutting 325 employees, representing 13% of its workforce.

• May 7: Google laid off approximately 200 employees across various divisions.

• May 7: CrowdStrike announced plans to cut about 500 roles, 5% of its workforce, to streamline operations and reduce costs.

• May 7: OpenText cutting 1,600 employees as part of enterprise information management restructuring.

• April 29: Electronic Arts is reportedly letting go of approximately 300-400 employees, to focus on its “long-term strategic priorities.

• April 28: Expedia Group is cutting 495 positions, 3% of its workforce, affecting midlevel positions in the product and technology teams.

🍁 Canada:

🍁 Canada:

Financial Services Sector

1. Amazon Promotion Policy Overhaul: Amazon has announced significant changes to the company's promotion policy, shifting focus from team size to efficiency and impact. The new policy emphasizes that building large teams will no longer be the primary path to advancement, instead prioritizing leaders who can achieve more with fewer resources.

2. UBS Hybrid Work Policy Update: UBS has implemented new restrictions to its hybrid work policy, requiring its 115,000 global employees to be present in the office for at least three days per week, with a specific mandate that either Monday or Friday must be an in-office day.

1. United States | Equal Pay Day: Equal Pay Day was observed on March 12, 2024, marking how far into the new year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. This continues to be a significant focus area for HR professionals across North America.

2. United States | Guidance on "Illegal DEI": The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Department of Justice (DOJ) have jointly issued new technical assistance documents on DEI initiatives on March 19, 2025, causing employers to reassess their programs to ensure compliance.

3. Canada | Express Entry System Points Removal: The Canadian government has announced the removal of bonus Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for candidates with valid job offers in the Express Entry immigration system, effective March 25, 2025, and no specific end date has been provided.

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Talent Market Updates