The workplace is transforming faster than anyone is prepared for, and today’s data reveals just how uneven the playing field has become. 

In this episode of Breaking Job News, host Pete Newsome breaks down the forces reshaping careers in 2025 and beyond. AI adoption is accelerating inside large enterprises, while small businesses struggle to keep pace. Meanwhile, IT leaders sound alarms about rising security risks as agentic AI becomes part of daily workflows.

He digs into the new patchwork of AI hiring laws across the U.S., from mandatory notices and bias audits to human-in-the-loop requirements, revealing how even well-intentioned rules can create a compliance maze if companies don’t build flexible governance now.

Then Pete turns to the human side of today’s labor market. Layoffs are becoming increasingly impersonal, with more workers being notified by email or phone instead of in person. Quiet firing is on the rise due to workload creep, micromanagement, and RTO mandates, which are used to push people out. We explore why maintaining dignity during offboarding isn’t just ethical, but also essential for sustaining a strong culture, fostering brand trust, and achieving future recruiting success.

Finally, he addresses the emotional paradox that millions of workers face: feeling secure in their current role yet uneasy about the broader job market. 

💬 Have you experienced quiet firing or impersonal layoffs in your own workplace?

News Articles:
1. Layoff Lifeline Report: https://zety.com/blog/layoff-lifeline-report
2. ADP HR Trends and Priorities for 2026: https://marketing-assets.adp.com/api/public/content/8179f471128e489caac131f44ac0eb4e?v=88329b93
3. 4CR Q4 2025 Employee Mindset Survey: https://www.4cornerresources.com/surveys/q4-2025-employee-mindset/

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👋 FOLLOW PETE NEWSOME ONLINE:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petenewsome/
Blog Articles: https://www.4cornerresources.com/blog