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Hi Friend -
Let me be real with you: I’ve been in rooms where the numbers are good but the people are quiet. I’ve watched teams go heads-down when the future feels unsteady. We’ve been sold performance metrics like they’re purpose. We’ve been told that “quiet quitting” is the problem when really. It’s the symptom.
This week, the world of work hit a loud moment of silence. You feel it. So do I.
So let’s walk through it together. I’ll bring the data and the gut checks, and you bring the courage to change something. You’re not alone in this. And if you're tired of navigating chaos solo, know this: I’ve got a few fall consulting activations open. jackyeclayton.com launches soon, and I’d love to show you what’s possible.
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NAVIGATING THE TURBULENT CURRENTS
A Week in the World of Work for HR and Recruitment Leaders
The U.S. labor market took a hard turn this week:
Just 73K jobs added in July (vs. 115K expected)
May and June numbers revised down by 258K
Unemployment ticked up to 4.2%
People are quitting less—a major confidence dip
The culprits? Restrictive trade policies, immigration slowdowns, and AI-induced ambiguity.
Meanwhile:
114 WARN filings were made this month.
Microsoft, CVS, and Walmart are cutting.
Healthcare added 76% of the only jobs created last month.
INSIDER MOVE: Run a skills audit before headcount reductions get announced. Internal mobility is your ROI right now.
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HEADLINES THAT ACTUALLY MATTER
1. AI Interviews Got Uncanny
96% of hiring teams now use AI to screen, schedule, or assess. Candidates say it's getting dystopian. Ghosted. No prep. No human in sight. Trust is breaking down—fast.
Insider Move: Start your "AI in Hiring" explainer doc now. It’ll be gold when compliance calls.
2. Entry-Level Pipeline Just Collapsed
WSJ says the Class of '25 is being offered internships instead of jobs. Junior roles are disappearing and hiring freezes are hitting hard. Gen Z is watching.
3. DEIB Tech Under Attack
Trump signed orders blocking DEIB-aligned AI in federal contracts. The DOL wants to roll back 60+ workplace protections. Inclusion work is being reclassified as "political ideology."
4. Portable Benefits Are Coming (Sort of)
Republicans proposed optional gig benefits to dodge lawsuits. Labor says it weakens worker protections. HR leaders need to prep messaging either way.
5. Las Vegas = 100% Unionized
Hospitality just hit peak organizing. Every major casino is now Culinary Union-represented. Don’t sleep on cross-industry labor momentum.
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TO-DO LIST FOR THE PEOPLE TEAM
HR Leaders:
Launch AI use & overemployment policy this week
Draft DEIB messaging that passes new compliance tests
Prep scenario-based plans: steady, shrink, scramble
Conduct a skill audit to redeploy internally before layoffs
Recruiters + TA Pros:
Map internship-to-offer conversion pathways
Audit resume fraud trends and dropoff rates
Tell candidates when AI is involved (transparency = trust)
Refresh mobile apply UX ASAP
1. Gen Z Productivity Starter Pack
Outcome-based JD templates
Weekly impact tracker
Scorecard language that actually means something
Used by 3 CHROs this week to stop calendar bloat in its tracks.
2. AI Ethics & Trust Framework
Candidate disclosure copy + chatbot script
Bot-to-human handoff guide
Policy draft for AI use and dual-job clarity
Built from inside-the-room policy templates.
3. Culture Check-In Kit
Psychological safety micro-survey
Brave space team prompt deck
Manager EQ cheat sheet
From teams navigating layoffs, burnout, and reorgs.
HOW TO: BUILD A HUMAN-CENTERED AI POLICY
Your AI policy shouldn’t just live in a handbook—it should live in your day-to-day. Here’s how to start:
Declare what AI tools are in use. Transparency over surveillance. Start with clarity.
Define "appropriate use." Think: scheduling help = acceptable, resume writing = caution, impersonation = not acceptable
Set review cadence. AI evolves fast. So should your policy.
Include candidate disclosure. Let people know when and how AI is involved.
Create a human escalation path. AI isn’t the final word. People are.
Bonus: Include a “Dos & Don’ts” grid in onboarding, and review it quarterly.
THE TRUTHS I’M CARRYING THIS WEEK
Productivity does not equal hours.
Gen Z already knows what some leaders haven’t accepted yet: you can’t clock creativity, healing, or impact.Silence is never neutral.
If no one’s speaking up, it’s not calm. It’s disengagement.AI isn’t your enemy. But it will expose you.
Automation without empathy is just alienation.If your mobile flow is bad, your brand is too.
Candidate experience starts before the first click.Gen Z is building new systems.
They’re not lazy. They’re allergic to performative work. Same here.
WEEKLY WORKFORCE OUTLOOK: TRENDS & TAKEAWAYS
Labor Market Watch:
The U.S. economy added just 73K jobs last month, way under the forecasted 115K. Manufacturing lost another 11K jobs. Healthcare made up 76% of all new positions. Unemployment is creeping up. People aren’t quitting. Confidence is slipping.
Layoff Surge:
114 companies filed WARN notices for August. Tech, pharma, retail, and logistics are getting hit. Microsoft, CVS, Target, Amazon, and even Moderna are on the list.
Overemployment Grows:
64% of workers juggling multiple jobs are using AI tools to manage them. Gen Z is leading the charge. Employers are scrambling to write new policies.
AI Trust Collapse:
Only 26% of candidates trust AI to fairly evaluate them. Ghosting is rampant. Fraud is up. Jobseekers feel invisible. And DEIB-aligned AI is being banned in federal contracts.
Mobile Hiring = Table Stakes:
67% of jobseekers apply via mobile. If your site lags, they bounce. A smooth apply experience builds brand trust—instantly.
Flexibility Wins Loyalty:
Hybrid and remote options are still a major retention driver. Companies that get flexible see up to 15% drops in turnover. Others? Brace for exits.
Skills-First is Here to Stay:
Hiring for ability—not pedigree—is finally going mainstream. Skills-based hiring increases diversity, slashes time to hire, and makes job posts three times more accessible.
So…
If this newsletter feels like a pep talk in a group chat, good. That’s the point.
We are leading in a moment that has no map. Layoffs. Regulation rollbacks. Ghosting bots. Burnout.
But you still care. So do I. That’s the work.
Let’s keep it smart, keep it human, and lead like it’s personal—because it is.
WANT TO WORK TOGETHER?
I’ve got a few fall consulting activations left and they fill fast.
If this newsletter hits like a one-on-one with your favorite work best friend, let’s take the next step. Visit jackyeclayton.com! the new site drops soon.
Let’s build something honest, effective, and unforgettable.
Together.
xoxo
Jackye 💜
