Twenty-five percent of employers plan to remove bachelor's degree requirements for some roles by the end of 2025, according to a survey by Resume Templates. Companies that have done this report successful outcomes, including an increase in applications, more diverse candidates and the option to offer lower wages.

A report by the American Psychological Association finds that job insecurity in the US is rising due to recent government policies that have led to significant workforce reductions. The report says 65% of workers are in organizations affected by these changes, and 75% experience negative effects such as emotional exhaustion.

Pets are becoming a significant part of employee benefits, with more than 70% of US workers owning pets. Companies are addressing this by offering pet health care coverage, stipends and pet-friendly workplaces to reduce stress and enhance productivity, writes Scott Taylor.

Employers have issued lower-than-expected pay raises this year, with an average merit increase of 3.2% and a total increase of 3.5%, according to a Mercer survey. Economic uncertainty and a softening labor market are key factors, which means employers are "feeling anxious regarding the direction of compensation costs this year and beyond," says Sydney Ross, a Society for Human Resource Management economic researcher.

Empathy is highlighted as a crucial yet underrepresented trait in leadership, according to an Ernst & Young study. The survey shows that empathy between leaders and employees can enhance efficiency, creativity, job satisfaction, and even revenue, but remains scarce in practice.