HR professionals face increasing stress as they navigate economic and technological shifts. The focus is on balancing budget constraints, integrating AI, and enhancing employee engagement while managing change and preparing for future leadership needs.

Recovery-friendly workplaces are gaining attention in the US as businesses recognize the value of employees who are recovering from substance use disorders, writes Mark Bonta, executive director of Recovery Jobs Foundation. Businesses that adopt recovery-friendly practices can see improved productivity, lower turnover and reduced costs, contributing to national economic growth, writes Bonta.

Vermont is the only state that is consistently applying parity to long-term disability benefit claims based on mental health diagnoses, and other states should consider doing the same, assert experts. Concerns about mental health claims driving up cost and fraud compromising benefits programs are also largely unfounded, experts say.

One-on-one meetings are a staple in work culture, but they may be unnecessary if they lack an agenda, become a checkbox exercise or are redundant due to constant communication through other channels. Make one-on-ones count by providing team members clear guidance and support and use them to collect data for performance reviews and to build a deeper relationship, say leadership experts.

Women on Wheels, a program run by traffic police in Lahore, Pakistan, is empowering women to drive motorcycles, challenging cultural taboos and offering a cost-effective transportation alternative amid rising car prices. Traditionally, women have relied on male relatives for transportation, but the program is changing perceptions and promoting independence.