Three cases on the Supreme Court's docket this session could drive fundamental change in employment law because a decision in favor of employers could make employees increasingly bound to arbitration arrangements and reduce their collective action rights. Employers say they seek arbitration to resolve disputes efficiently, but Catherine Ruckelshaus, general counsel of the National Employment Law Project, says arbitration is limiting because it restricts information-sharing.

Searches on job site Indeed for the term "no experience required" have increased 1,140% during the past year, topping searches for technology jobs, which are up 467%, and searches for work-from-home jobs, which have risen 385%. The increase might stem from growing focus on automation, HR Senior Vice President Paul Wolfe says.

Some employers are now providing "climate leave" for employees affected by extreme weather events and natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires. Elite employees, however, are the ones most likely to benefit, although employers are updating leave policies to cover a greater variety of circumstances, said Julie Norville of Aon Hewitt.

Playful mindsets are more important contributors to employee wellness than colorful offices or carefully selected artwork on the walls, explains scholar and author Brian Sutton-Smith. It's most important to provide employees with spaces where they can relax or be playful, according to Curiosity China co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer Alexis Bonhomme.

A man surfing off the coast of Australia escaped a shark attack on Monday by punching the shark in the nose, a tactic he learned about in a YouTube video. He then paddled to shore with minor wounds to his shoulder and arm.