Perks, Proof, Pressure: The New Workplace Bargain | PAPER CUT

The Memo That Changed the Mood | PAPER CUT

Pay is louder. Measurement is heavier. Cuts keep arriving. This week’s Paper Cut is about the bargain underneath it all: what employers are taking away, what they’re demanding in return, and why “efficiency” keeps landing as monitoring plus headcount reduction. We cover burnout and compensation pressure, AI turning into policy and proof culture, flexibility being renegotiated, HR’s expanding remit, and The Cut List. 📰 Subscribe: https://ebn.to/sub25 [https://ebn.to/sub25] 🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25 [https://ebn.to/lin25] ⸻ Sources & Links Burnout, confidence, and pay * https://www.hrdive.com/news/burnout-increasing-employee-confidence-at-a-record-low/820801/?utm_source=ebn&utm_medium=news-feed&utm_content=story&utm_campaign=all [https://www.hrdive.com/news/burnout-increasing-employee-confidence-at-a-record-low/820801/?utm_source=ebn&utm_medium=news-feed&utm_content=story&utm_campaign=all] * https://www.hrdive.com/news/7-stories-on-the-state-of-pay-in-the-workplace/820169/?utm_source=ebn&utm_medium=news-feed&utm_content=story&utm_campaign=all [https://www.hrdive.com/news/7-stories-on-the-state-of-pay-in-the-workplace/820169/?utm_source=ebn&utm_medium=news-feed&utm_content=story&utm_campaign=all] * https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/21/samsung-electronics-union-strike-suspended-wage-deal-bonuses.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/21/samsung-electronics-union-strike-suspended-wage-deal-bonuses.html] * https://www.ft.com/content/4837bb92-8db3-4fe6-ada5-7f83c6486a14 [https://www.ft.com/content/4837bb92-8db3-4fe6-ada5-7f83c6486a14] AI as policy and proof culture * https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/18/ai-workforce-college-jobs.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/18/ai-workforce-college-jobs.html] * https://fortune.com/2026/05/20/accenture-exec-future-proofing-org-chart-indeed-university-michigan-ai/ [https://fortune.com/2026/05/20/accenture-exec-future-proofing-org-chart-indeed-university-michigan-ai/] * https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/article/billionaire-block-founder-jack-dorsey-suggests-radically-reshaping-manager-roles-in-the-age-of-ai-131219450.html [https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/article/billionaire-block-founder-jack-dorsey-suggests-radically-reshaping-manager-roles-in-the-age-of-ai-131219450.html] * https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/linkedin-is-fighting-back-against-ai-slop-and-ai-comments [https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/linkedin-is-fighting-back-against-ai-slop-and-ai-comments] * https://www.ft.com/content/d022680e-f769-47c6-ae90-b1ff8a802dce?syn-25a6b1a6=1 [https://www.ft.com/content/d022680e-f769-47c6-ae90-b1ff8a802dce?syn-25a6b1a6=1] * https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/salesforce-ceo-marc-benioff-who-said-that-we-will-not-hire-any-more-engineers-in-2025-sees-the-company-spending-millions-on-/articleshow/131161788.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/salesforce-ceo-marc-benioff-who-said-that-we-will-not-hire-any-more-engineers-in-2025-sees-the-company-spending-millions-on-/articleshow/131161788.cms] * https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/linkedin-co-founder-reid-hoffman-has-a-reminder-for-everyone-on-ai-layoffs-its-important-not-to-ignore-/articleshow/130896300.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/linkedin-co-founder-reid-hoffman-has-a-reminder-for-everyone-on-ai-layoffs-its-important-not-to-ignore-/articleshow/130896300.cms] * https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/article/circle-ceo-says-ai-fueled-layoffs-are-only-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-174500668.html [https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/article/circle-ceo-says-ai-fueled-layoffs-are-only-the-tip-of-the-iceberg-174500668.html] Flexibility, four-day week, and time politics * https://theconversation.com/15-australian-companies-switched-to-a-four-day-work-week-it-went-surprisingly-well-283361 [https://theconversation.com/15-australian-companies-switched-to-a-four-day-work-week-it-went-surprisingly-well-283361] * https://apnews.com/article/remote-work-virtual-office-a90bba3ecff9548a92efa10e3d061c38 [https://apnews.com/article/remote-work-virtual-office-a90bba3ecff9548a92efa10e3d061c38] * https://www.businessinsider.com/remote-work-driving-us-productivity-boom-stanford-professor-nicholas-bloom-2026-5 [https://www.businessinsider.com/remote-work-driving-us-productivity-boom-stanford-professor-nicholas-bloom-2026-5] * https://theconversation.com/why-keeping-collaborative-remote-work-environment-options-open-is-key-for-business-innovation-281543 [https://theconversation.com/why-keeping-collaborative-remote-work-environment-options-open-is-key-for-business-innovation-281543] * https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/05/14/remote-workers-are-happier-but-most-forced-back-to-office-feel-employer-was-justified/ [https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/05/14/remote-workers-are-happier-but-most-forced-back-to-office-feel-employer-was-justified/] * https://fortune.com/article/zillow-ceo-remote-work-model-talent-everywhere/ [https://fortune.com/article/zillow-ceo-remote-work-model-talent-everywhere/] * https://www.economist.com/business/2026/05/07/the-pros-and-cons-of-commuting [https://www.economist.com/business/2026/05/07/the-pros-and-cons-of-commuting] * https://www.ft.com/content/ef46bd8f-51ee-4c06-b5ab-1de23114f81a?syn-25a6b1a6=1 [https://www.ft.com/content/ef46bd8f-51ee-4c06-b5ab-1de23114f81a?syn-25a6b1a6=1] HR, culture, and operating systems * https://www.peoplematters.in/article/leadership/international-hr-day-2026-how-hr-became-the-fastest-rising-power-function-in-corporate-leadership-49824 [https://www.peoplematters.in/article/leadership/international-hr-day-2026-how-hr-became-the-fastest-rising-power-function-in-corporate-leadership-49824] * https://www.fastcompany.com/91544230/your-company-lives-inside-its-culture [https://www.fastcompany.com/91544230/your-company-lives-inside-its-culture] * https://www.inc.com/netta-jenkins/why-data-is-becoming-the-language-of-leadership-in-hr/91337316 [https://www.inc.com/netta-jenkins/why-data-is-becoming-the-language-of-leadership-in-hr/91337316] * https://www.inc.com/netta-jenkins/hr-isnt-just-support-anymore-its-running-the-show-behind-the-scenes/91337284 [https://www.inc.com/netta-jenkins/hr-isnt-just-support-anymore-its-running-the-show-behind-the-scenes/91337284] * https://fortune.com/2026/05/19/bolt-ceo-ryan-breslow-cut-hr-department-causing-problems-fintech-startup-turn-around/ [https://fortune.com/2026/05/19/bolt-ceo-ryan-breslow-cut-hr-department-causing-problems-fintech-startup-turn-around/] * https://www.inc.com/sarah-lynch/inside-lucy-guos-workplace-strategy-for-building-retention/91339389 [https://www.inc.com/sarah-lynch/inside-lucy-guos-workplace-strategy-for-building-retention/91339389] The Cut List * https://www.reuters.com/world/meta-lays-out-plans-may-20-layoffs-restructuring-internal-document-says-2026-05-18/ [https://www.reuters.com/world/meta-lays-out-plans-may-20-layoffs-restructuring-internal-document-says-2026-05-18/] * https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/20/meta-layoffs-zuckerberg-says-success-isnt-a-given-in-memo.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/20/meta-layoffs-zuckerberg-says-success-isnt-a-given-in-memo.html] * https://www.ndtv.com/business-news/meta-layoff-job-cuts-final-email-fired-employees-tech-ai-disruption-mark-zuckerberg-h1b-visa-workers-11526151 [https://www.ndtv.com/business-news/meta-layoff-job-cuts-final-email-fired-employees-tech-ai-disruption-mark-zuckerberg-h1b-visa-workers-11526151] * https://vulcanpost.com/911395/meta-layoff-singapore-2026/ [https://vulcanpost.com/911395/meta-layoff-singapore-2026/] * https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/technology/meta-reassigns-7000-employees-ai.html [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/18/technology/meta-reassigns-7000-employees-ai.html] * https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/intuit-cut-17-global-jobs-streamline-operations-memo-shows-2026-05-20/ [https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/intuit-cut-17-global-jobs-streamline-operations-memo-shows-2026-05-20/] * https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/intuit-cut-17-global-jobs-streamline-operations-memo-shows-2026-05-20/ [https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/intuit-cut-17-global-jobs-streamline-operations-memo-shows-2026-05-20/] * https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/standard-chartered-reduce-7000-roles-2030-6129761?cid=internal_sharetool_androidphone_19052026_cna [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/standard-chartered-reduce-7000-roles-2030-6129761?cid=internal_sharetool_androidphone_19052026_cna] * https://nypost.com/2026/05/19/business/panic-in-california-as-linkedin-announces-hundreds-of-layoffs/ [https://nypost.com/2026/05/19/business/panic-in-california-as-linkedin-announces-hundreds-of-layoffs/] * https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/meta-lays-out-plans-for-may-20-layoffs-restructuring-internal-document-says-191547511.html [https://finance.yahoo.com/markets/stocks/articles/meta-lays-out-plans-for-may-20-layoffs-restructuring-internal-document-says-191547511.html] * https://www.businessinsider.com/verizon-cuts-hundreds-of-jobs-in-latest-round-of-layoffs-2026-5 [https://www.businessinsider.com/verizon-cuts-hundreds-of-jobs-in-latest-round-of-layoffs-2026-5]

Layoffs, Logs, Lowballs: Work’s New Math | PAPER CUT

Low unemployment can hide a labour crisis. Underemployment is rising, AI is reshaping wages and expectations, monitoring is becoming normal, and engagement is sliding as the employee bargain tightens. Plus The Cut List of major layoffs. 📰 Subscribe: https://ebn.to/sub25 [https://ebn.to/sub25] 🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25 [https://ebn.to/lin25] ⸻ Sources & Links Underemployment and insecurity * https://employerbranding.news/the-rise-of-the-underemployed-the-labour-crisis-hidden-behind-low-unemployment-rates/ [https://employerbranding.news/the-rise-of-the-underemployed-the-labour-crisis-hidden-behind-low-unemployment-rates/] * https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/why-underemployment-deserves-attention-even-if-it-voluntary [https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/why-underemployment-deserves-attention-even-if-it-voluntary] * https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/modern-worker-trouble [https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/modern-worker-trouble] * https://theconversation.com/worried-about-your-job-youre-not-alone-but-there-are-proven-ways-to-ease-job-insecurity-281128 [https://theconversation.com/worried-about-your-job-youre-not-alone-but-there-are-proven-ways-to-ease-job-insecurity-281128] * https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/jobs-men-employment-data-ec4d6d68 [https://www.wsj.com/economy/jobs/jobs-men-employment-data-ec4d6d68] * https://www.businessinsider.com/college-grad-landed-full-time-job-unemployment-guilty-2026-5 [https://www.businessinsider.com/college-grad-landed-full-time-job-unemployment-guilty-2026-5] AI reshaping work, wages, and monitoring * https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/anthropic-cfo-krishna-rao-says-while-ai-now-writes-90-of-the-companys-code-we-have-hired-a-lot-more-people-because-/articleshow/131092558.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/anthropic-cfo-krishna-rao-says-while-ai-now-writes-90-of-the-companys-code-we-have-hired-a-lot-more-people-because-/articleshow/131092558.cms] * https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/08/cloudflare-says-ai-made-1100-jobs-obsolete-even-as-revenue-hit-a-record-high/ [https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/08/cloudflare-says-ai-made-1100-jobs-obsolete-even-as-revenue-hit-a-record-high/] * https://www.indiatoday.in/jobs/story/cloudflare-fires-1100-employees-due-to-ai-use-read-full-memo-here-tchc-2908463-2026-05-08 [https://www.indiatoday.in/jobs/story/cloudflare-fires-1100-employees-due-to-ai-use-read-full-memo-here-tchc-2908463-2026-05-08] * https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/07/cloudflare-net-q1-2026-stock-earnings-layoffs.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/07/cloudflare-net-q1-2026-stock-earnings-layoffs.html] * https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ai-layoffs-job-cuts-challenger-report-april-2026/ [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ai-layoffs-job-cuts-challenger-report-april-2026/] * https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/10/tech/ai-taking-jobs [https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/10/tech/ai-taking-jobs] * https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/08/this-company-made-headlines-for-its-aggressive-ai-driven-layoffs-citi-says-its-paying-off.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/08/this-company-made-headlines-for-its-aggressive-ai-driven-layoffs-citi-says-its-paying-off.html] * https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/05/ai-use-work-employee-monitoring-tech-surveillance.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/05/ai-use-work-employee-monitoring-tech-surveillance.html] * https://news.mit.edu/2026/study-firms-often-use-automation-control-certain-workers-wages-0507 [https://news.mit.edu/2026/study-firms-often-use-automation-control-certain-workers-wages-0507] Remote work and productivity * https://apnews.com/article/remote-work-virtual-office-a90bba3ecff9548a92efa10e3d061c38 [https://apnews.com/article/remote-work-virtual-office-a90bba3ecff9548a92efa10e3d061c38] * https://www.businessinsider.com/remote-work-driving-us-productivity-boom-stanford-professor-nicholas-bloom-2026-5 [https://www.businessinsider.com/remote-work-driving-us-productivity-boom-stanford-professor-nicholas-bloom-2026-5] * https://theconversation.com/why-keeping-collaborative-remote-work-environment-options-open-is-key-for-business-innovation-281543 [https://theconversation.com/why-keeping-collaborative-remote-work-environment-options-open-is-key-for-business-innovation-281543] * https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/05/11/america-is-experiencing-a-productivity-miracle [https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/05/11/america-is-experiencing-a-productivity-miracle] * https://www.ft.com/content/8ee0d3ef-9548-422d-8ff1-ebd48ad4b2ca?syn-25a6b1a6=1 [https://www.ft.com/content/8ee0d3ef-9548-422d-8ff1-ebd48ad4b2ca?syn-25a6b1a6=1] Engagement, success, and quitting * https://www.forbes.com/sites/aparnarae/2026/05/13/employee-engagement-hit-a-10-year-low-the-problem-isnt-people—its-organizational-systems/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/aparnarae/2026/05/13/employee-engagement-hit-a-10-year-low-the-problem-isnt-people%E2%80%94its-organizational-systems/] * https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/employees-quitting-trends-work-institute-research-center/91340127 [https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/employees-quitting-trends-work-institute-research-center/91340127] * https://www.forbes.com/sites/deloitte/2026/05/13/how-gen-zs-and-millennials-are-redefining-success-at-work/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/deloitte/2026/05/13/how-gen-zs-and-millennials-are-redefining-success-at-work/] * https://www.inc.com/bruce-crumley/why-gen-z-is-happier-running-small-businesses-than-working-traditional-jobs/91341108 [https://www.inc.com/bruce-crumley/why-gen-z-is-happier-running-small-businesses-than-working-traditional-jobs/91341108] * https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/fractional-future-work [https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/fractional-future-work] * https://fortune.com/2026/05/09/companies-abandoning-peanut-butter-raises-future-of-work-american-workers/ [https://fortune.com/2026/05/09/companies-abandoning-peanut-butter-raises-future-of-work-american-workers/] * https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/this-ai-startup-is-giving-every-employee-a-10-raise-every-year-without-any-performance-review-2908710-2026-05-08 [https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/this-ai-startup-is-giving-every-employee-a-10-raise-every-year-without-any-performance-review-2908710-2026-05-08] * https://www.fastcompany.com/91522203/the-end-of-the-always-available-professional-workplace-burnout-boundaries [https://www.fastcompany.com/91522203/the-end-of-the-always-available-professional-workplace-burnout-boundaries] * https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/dont-get-too-comfortable-your-quality-of-life-depends-on-it-a4440a85 [https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/dont-get-too-comfortable-your-quality-of-life-depends-on-it-a4440a85] The Cut List * https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/cisco-to-cut-about-4000-jobs-in-ai-focused-restructuring-as-orders-surge [https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/cisco-to-cut-about-4000-jobs-in-ai-focused-restructuring-as-orders-surge] * https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cisco-to-cut-about-4000-jobs-in-ai-focused-restructuring-as-orders-surge-200934836.html [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/cisco-to-cut-about-4000-jobs-in-ai-focused-restructuring-as-orders-surge-200934836.html] * https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/08/cloudflare-says-ai-made-1100-jobs-obsolete-even-as-revenue-hit-a-record-high/ [https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/08/cloudflare-says-ai-made-1100-jobs-obsolete-even-as-revenue-hit-a-record-high/] * https://finance.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-linkedin-planning-lay-off-140835735.html [https://finance.yahoo.com/news/exclusive-linkedin-planning-lay-off-140835735.html] * https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/linkedin-is-planning-lay-off-5-staff-latest-tech-sector-cuts-source-says-2026-05-13/ [https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/linkedin-is-planning-lay-off-5-staff-latest-tech-sector-cuts-source-says-2026-05-13/] * https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/paypal-to-lay-off-thousands-as-company-ceo-wants-to-spend-more-on-technology-tells-investors-first-we-will-remove-/articleshow/130885435.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/paypal-to-lay-off-thousands-as-company-ceo-wants-to-spend-more-on-technology-tells-investors-first-we-will-remove-/articleshow/130885435.cms] * https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/11/gm-layoffs.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/11/gm-layoffs.html] * https://www.wired.com/story/meta-layoffs-bad-vibes-mark-zuckerberg-ai/ [https://www.wired.com/story/meta-layoffs-bad-vibes-mark-zuckerberg-ai/] * https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/100-000-layoffs-later-meta-162613378.html [https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/100-000-layoffs-later-meta-162613378.html] * https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/meta-us-employees-organize-protest-against-mouse-tracking-tech-2026-05-12/ [https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/meta-us-employees-organize-protest-against-mouse-tracking-tech-2026-05-12/] * https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/walmart-layoffs-relocates-technology-jobs-23bbf322 [https://www.wsj.com/business/retail/walmart-layoffs-relocates-technology-jobs-23bbf322]

Perks, Proof, Pressure: The New Workplace Bargain | PAPER CUT

The workplace bargain is shifting. Benefits tighten, measurement grows, and AI becomes a benchmark for hiring and expectations. This week covers culture as an operating system, AI framing and job design, burnout boundaries returning, hidden risk from shadow IT and workplace comms, plus The Cut List. 📰 Subscribe: https://ebn.to/sub25 [https://ebn.to/sub25] 🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25 [https://ebn.to/lin25] ⸻ Sources & Links Culture as operating system * https://employerbranding.news/employer-brand-culture-operating-system/ [https://employerbranding.news/employer-brand-culture-operating-system/] * https://employerbranding.news/what-i-learned-doing-recruitment-marketing-for-a-brand-nobody-wants-to-work-for/ [https://employerbranding.news/what-i-learned-doing-recruitment-marketing-for-a-brand-nobody-wants-to-work-for/] * https://employerbranding.news/employer-branding-2026-new-bargain/ [https://employerbranding.news/employer-branding-2026-new-bargain/] * https://www.businessinsider.com/citi-executives-jane-fraser-culture-transformation-investor-day-2026-5 [https://www.businessinsider.com/citi-executives-jane-fraser-culture-transformation-investor-day-2026-5] * https://www.businessinsider.com/citi-investment-banking-vis-raghwavan-talent-hiring-2026-5 [https://www.businessinsider.com/citi-investment-banking-vis-raghwavan-talent-hiring-2026-5] * https://www.ft.com/content/83d514d0-5553-4341-a225-02d8dd28ade3?syn-25a6b1a6=1 [https://www.ft.com/content/83d514d0-5553-4341-a225-02d8dd28ade3?syn-25a6b1a6=1] AI expectations and job design * https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/linkedin-co-founder-reid-hoffman-has-a-reminder-for-everyone-on-ai-layoffs-its-important-not-to-ignore-/articleshow/130896300.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/linkedin-co-founder-reid-hoffman-has-a-reminder-for-everyone-on-ai-layoffs-its-important-not-to-ignore-/articleshow/130896300.cms] * https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-admits-that-company-is-slowing-hiring-and-the-reason-is-ai-says-if-every-person-at-this-company-can-increase-their-productivity-by-/articleshow/130901246.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/uber-ceo-dara-khosrowshahi-admits-that-company-is-slowing-hiring-and-the-reason-is-ai-says-if-every-person-at-this-company-can-increase-their-productivity-by-/articleshow/130901246.cms] * https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/tesla-former-hr-chief-ai-133000481.html [https://finance.yahoo.com/sectors/technology/articles/tesla-former-hr-chief-ai-133000481.html] * https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/as-accenture-announces-rolling-out-microsoft-copilot-to-743000-employees-ceo-julie-sweet-says-our-teams-are-/articleshow/130729934.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/as-accenture-announces-rolling-out-microsoft-copilot-to-743000-employees-ceo-julie-sweet-says-our-teams-are-/articleshow/130729934.cms] * https://hbr.org/2026/05/research-why-you-shouldnt-treat-ai-agents-like-employees [https://hbr.org/2026/05/research-why-you-shouldnt-treat-ai-agents-like-employees] * https://www.cio.com/article/4165040/you-cant-train-your-way-out-of-the-ai-skills-gap.html [https://www.cio.com/article/4165040/you-cant-train-your-way-out-of-the-ai-skills-gap.html] * https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/06/five-architects-of-the-ai-economy-explain-where-the-wheels-are-coming-off/ [https://techcrunch.com/2026/05/06/five-architects-of-the-ai-economy-explain-where-the-wheels-are-coming-off/] * https://fortune.com/2026/05/07/airbnb-ceo-brian-chesky-two-people-wont-survive-ai-era-pure-people-managers-workers-resist-change/ [https://fortune.com/2026/05/07/airbnb-ceo-brian-chesky-two-people-wont-survive-ai-era-pure-people-managers-workers-resist-change/] * https://fortune.com/2026/05/04/google-employee-backlash-pentagon-ai-contract-power-waned-since-project-maven/ [https://fortune.com/2026/05/04/google-employee-backlash-pentagon-ai-contract-power-waned-since-project-maven/] * https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/google-uk-employees-in-letter-to-the-company-you-have-10-working-days-to-voluntarily-recognise-/articleshow/130868256.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/google-uk-employees-in-letter-to-the-company-you-have-10-working-days-to-voluntarily-recognise-/articleshow/130868256.cms] * https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/may/07/no-one-has-done-this-in-the-wild-study-observes-ai-replicate-itself [https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/may/07/no-one-has-done-this-in-the-wild-study-observes-ai-replicate-itself] Boundaries and pressure * https://www.fastcompany.com/91522203/the-end-of-the-always-available-professional-workplace-burnout-boundaries [https://www.fastcompany.com/91522203/the-end-of-the-always-available-professional-workplace-burnout-boundaries] * https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianehamilton/2026/05/08/why-getting-more-done-at-work-is-creating-more-workplace-pressure/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianehamilton/2026/05/08/why-getting-more-done-at-work-is-creating-more-workplace-pressure/] * https://fortune.com/europe/article/what-gen-z-workers-say-is-on-time-vs-baby-boomers/ [https://fortune.com/europe/article/what-gen-z-workers-say-is-on-time-vs-baby-boomers/] * https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/never-fall-in-love-with-your-work-gen-z-employee-shares-post-after-working-till-1-am-on-notice-period-13905318.html [https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/business/never-fall-in-love-with-your-work-gen-z-employee-shares-post-after-working-till-1-am-on-notice-period-13905318.html] * https://www.economist.com/business/2026/05/07/the-pros-and-cons-of-commuting [https://www.economist.com/business/2026/05/07/the-pros-and-cons-of-commuting] * https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/05/07/deepseek-and-alibaba-rescue-chinas-office-landlords [https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/05/07/deepseek-and-alibaba-rescue-chinas-office-landlords] * https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/dont-get-too-comfortable-your-quality-of-life-depends-on-it-a4440a85 [https://www.wsj.com/health/wellness/dont-get-too-comfortable-your-quality-of-life-depends-on-it-a4440a85] Quiet risks * https://venturebeat.com/technology/hidden-it-problems-are-quietly-creating-risk-shadow-it-and-lost-productivity [https://venturebeat.com/technology/hidden-it-problems-are-quietly-creating-risk-shadow-it-and-lost-productivity] * https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-trial-exposes-truth-about-workplace-texts-2026-5 [https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-trial-exposes-truth-about-workplace-texts-2026-5] * https://www.irishtimes.com/business/work/2026/05/07/use-of-artificial-intelligence-among-senior-civil-servants-increasingly-common/ [https://www.irishtimes.com/business/work/2026/05/07/use-of-artificial-intelligence-among-senior-civil-servants-increasingly-common/] * https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/fractional-future-work [https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/opinion-features/fractional-future-work] * https://theconversation.com/why-keeping-collaborative-remote-work-environment-options-open-is-key-for-business-innovation-281543 [https://theconversation.com/why-keeping-collaborative-remote-work-environment-options-open-is-key-for-business-innovation-281543] The Cut List * https://fortune.com/2026/05/05/coinbase-layoffs-14-of-employees-ai-tech-ai-job-anxiety-crypto/ [https://fortune.com/2026/05/05/coinbase-layoffs-14-of-employees-ai-tech-ai-job-anxiety-crypto/] * https://www.businessinsider.com/verizon-cuts-hundreds-of-jobs-in-latest-round-of-layoffs-2026-5 [https://www.businessinsider.com/verizon-cuts-hundreds-of-jobs-in-latest-round-of-layoffs-2026-5] * https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-internal-document-shows-buyout-offers-to-us-employees-2026-5 [https://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-internal-document-shows-buyout-offers-to-us-employees-2026-5] * https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/meta-hr-head-on-will-there-be-more-layoffs-after-8000-job-cuts-on-may-20-we-will-continue-to-/articleshow/130671338.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/meta-hr-head-on-will-there-be-more-layoffs-after-8000-job-cuts-on-may-20-we-will-continue-to-/articleshow/130671338.cms]

Perks Down, Tracking Up: The New Deal at Work | PAPER CUT

Benefits are being trimmed, AI adoption is being measured, and HR is stuck managing the fallout. This week: the perks rollback, scorecards and monitoring, the widening career divide for graduates, and The Cut List. 📰 Subscribe: https://ebn.to/sub25 [https://ebn.to/sub25] 🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25 [https://ebn.to/lin25] ⸻ Sources & Links Benefits rollback and work design * https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/28/parental-benefits-slashed-deloitte-zoom-impact [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/28/parental-benefits-slashed-deloitte-zoom-impact] * https://www.inc.com/kaylawebster/the-great-rollback-has-begun-deloitte-and-zoom-take-the-lead-in-slashing-the-most-coveted-benefits/91333534 [https://www.inc.com/kaylawebster/the-great-rollback-has-begun-deloitte-and-zoom-take-the-lead-in-slashing-the-most-coveted-benefits/91333534] * https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/starting-january-1-deloitte-is-cutting-parental-leave-annual-pto-pension-plan-and-ivf-funding-for-some-employees-in-the-us-company-says-that-it-is-tailoring-benefits-to-better-align-/articleshow/130500258.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/starting-january-1-deloitte-is-cutting-parental-leave-annual-pto-pension-plan-and-ivf-funding-for-some-employees-in-the-us-company-says-that-it-is-tailoring-benefits-to-better-align-/articleshow/130500258.cms] * https://www.businessinsider.com/readers-weigh-in-story-parental-leave-pto-reduction-2026-4 [https://www.businessinsider.com/readers-weigh-in-story-parental-leave-pto-reduction-2026-4] * https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/26/four-day-workweek-employment [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/apr/26/four-day-workweek-employment] * https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/5839816-hybrid-work-endures-2026/ [https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/5839816-hybrid-work-endures-2026/] * https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/28/office-demand-real-estate.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/28/office-demand-real-estate.html] AI measurement, monitoring, and leadership load * https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-tracks-ai-use-engineers-internal-friction-2026-4 [https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-tracks-ai-use-engineers-internal-friction-2026-4] * https://www.inc.com/kit-eaton/metas-ai-experiment-shows-why-monitoring-employees-backfires-especially-with-gen-z/91337051 [https://www.inc.com/kit-eaton/metas-ai-experiment-shows-why-monitoring-employees-backfires-especially-with-gen-z/91337051] * https://hbr.org/2026/04/when-creating-an-ai-strategy-dont-overlook-employee-perception [https://hbr.org/2026/04/when-creating-an-ai-strategy-dont-overlook-employee-perception] * https://fortune.com/2026/04/26/how-ai-causes-brain-drain-cognitive-load-neuroleadership/ [https://fortune.com/2026/04/26/how-ai-causes-brain-drain-cognitive-load-neuroleadership/] * https://fortune.com/2026/04/28/nvidia-executive-cost-of-ai-is-greater-than-cost-of-employees/ [https://fortune.com/2026/04/28/nvidia-executive-cost-of-ai-is-greater-than-cost-of-employees/] * https://www.inc.com/kit-eaton/why-replacing-workers-with-ai-may-be-the-biggest-mistake-leaders-can-make/91333175 [https://www.inc.com/kit-eaton/why-replacing-workers-with-ai-may-be-the-biggest-mistake-leaders-can-make/91333175] Careers and the widening divide * https://www.hrdive.com/news/1-in-5-recent-grads-say-theyre-overqualified/818244/?utm_source=ebn&utm_medium=news-feed&utm_content=story&utm_campaign=all [https://www.hrdive.com/news/1-in-5-recent-grads-say-theyre-overqualified/818244/?utm_source=ebn&utm_medium=news-feed&utm_content=story&utm_campaign=all] * https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2026/04/27/the-new-ai-career-divide-is-already-starting-to-show/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2026/04/27/the-new-ai-career-divide-is-already-starting-to-show/] * https://www.inc.com/netta-jenkins/why-skilled-trades-are-becoming-more-secure-careers-in-the-age-of-ai/91329211 [https://www.inc.com/netta-jenkins/why-skilled-trades-are-becoming-more-secure-careers-in-the-age-of-ai/91329211] * https://www.businessinsider.com/cs-professor-explains-changes-software-engineering-ai-2026-4 [https://www.businessinsider.com/cs-professor-explains-changes-software-engineering-ai-2026-4] * https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-04-28/uk-graduates-turn-to-emergency-degrees-to-ride-out-jobs-crisis [https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-04-28/uk-graduates-turn-to-emergency-degrees-to-ride-out-jobs-crisis] * https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/04/27/most-degrees-obsolete-upon-graduation-singapore-academic-says [https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/04/27/most-degrees-obsolete-upon-graduation-singapore-academic-says] * https://fortune.com/2026/04/26/meta-salesforce-exec-ai-agents-gen-z-jobs-nonprofit/ [https://fortune.com/2026/04/26/meta-salesforce-exec-ai-agents-gen-z-jobs-nonprofit/] * https://www.businessinsider.com/how-aging-ai-reshaping-job-market-2026-4 [https://www.businessinsider.com/how-aging-ai-reshaping-job-market-2026-4] HR accountability and governance * https://www.hrdive.com/news/4-lawsuits-alleging-next-level-hr-misbehavior/818578/ [https://www.hrdive.com/news/4-lawsuits-alleging-next-level-hr-misbehavior/818578/] * https://www.hcamag.com/asia/news/general/ceos-downplay-staff-discontent-leaving-hr-to-manage-the-fallout/572574 [https://www.hcamag.com/asia/news/general/ceos-downplay-staff-discontent-leaving-hr-to-manage-the-fallout/572574] * https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/are-companies-quiet-quitting-dei-2026-04-28/ [https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/are-companies-quiet-quitting-dei-2026-04-28/] * https://fortune.com/2026/04/27/hr-leaders-are-going-quiet-on-the-topics-that-matter-most-this-author-has-a-fix/ [https://fortune.com/2026/04/27/hr-leaders-are-going-quiet-on-the-topics-that-matter-most-this-author-has-a-fix/] * https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/workplace-4-0/workplace-ikigai/how-are-kpis-scorecards-for-chros-evolving/130567659 [https://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/workplace-4-0/workplace-ikigai/how-are-kpis-scorecards-for-chros-evolving/130567659] * https://www.fastcompany.com/91529962/no-you-cant-upskill-your-culture-but-you-can-upskill-your-leaders [https://www.fastcompany.com/91529962/no-you-cant-upskill-your-culture-but-you-can-upskill-your-leaders] * https://www.businessinsider.com/brene-brown-interview-silicon-valley-bad-bosses-2026-4 [https://www.businessinsider.com/brene-brown-interview-silicon-valley-bad-bosses-2026-4] * https://m.economictimes.com/magazines/panache/i-am-a-human-not-a-robot-employees-simple-reply-to-extra-work-hours-leaves-boss-speechless/articleshow/130496297.cms [https://m.economictimes.com/magazines/panache/i-am-a-human-not-a-robot-employees-simple-reply-to-extra-work-hours-leaves-boss-speechless/articleshow/130496297.cms] * https://www.smartbrief.com/original/why-managers-feel-stuck-between-process-and-people [https://www.smartbrief.com/original/why-managers-feel-stuck-between-process-and-people] The Cut List * https://www.wsj.com/cfo-journal/kpmg-to-lay-off-4-of-u-s-advisory-workforce-ed166153 [https://www.wsj.com/cfo-journal/kpmg-to-lay-off-4-of-u-s-advisory-workforce-ed166153] * https://fortune.com/2026/04/26/why-did-microsoft-do-buyouts-layoffs-tech-workers/ [https://fortune.com/2026/04/26/why-did-microsoft-do-buyouts-layoffs-tech-workers/] * https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/startups-tech/technology/ai-exposed-firms-cut-4-jobs-car-sector-hardest-hit-morgan-stanley-report [https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/startups-tech/technology/ai-exposed-firms-cut-4-jobs-car-sector-hardest-hit-morgan-stanley-report] * https://www.businessinsider.com/us-job-market-disturbing-pattern-corporate-profits-jim-paulsen-2026-4 [https://www.businessinsider.com/us-job-market-disturbing-pattern-corporate-profits-jim-paulsen-2026-4] * https://www.fastcompany.com/91532920/jpmorgan-chase-data-center-gets-tax-breaks-creates-1-full-time-job [https://www.fastcompany.com/91532920/jpmorgan-chase-data-center-gets-tax-breaks-creates-1-full-time-job]

The Rework Tax: why workplace AI is losing trust | PAPER CUT

Workplace AI is turning into a rework tax. Employees opt out, gains vanish into error-fixing, and leaders respond with dashboards, monitoring, and performance rules. Plus the early-career squeeze, remote work resistance, and this week’s Cut List. 📰 Subscribe: https://ebn.to/sub25 [https://ebn.to/sub25] 🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25 [https://ebn.to/lin25] ⸻ Sources & Links AI adoption, trust, and rework * https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/as-ai-use-increases-at-work-many-employees-still-choose-not-to-use-it-gallup-poll-10633705/ [https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/as-ai-use-increases-at-work-many-employees-still-choose-not-to-use-it-gallup-poll-10633705/] * https://hbr.org/2026/04/when-creating-an-ai-strategy-dont-overlook-employee-perception [https://hbr.org/2026/04/when-creating-an-ai-strategy-dont-overlook-employee-perception] * https://www.cio.com/article/4157471/40-of-ai-productivity-gains-lost-to-rework-for-errors.html [https://www.cio.com/article/4157471/40-of-ai-productivity-gains-lost-to-rework-for-errors.html] * https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/14/ai-productivity-workplace-errors [https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/14/ai-productivity-workplace-errors] * https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianehamilton/2026/04/12/why-ai-at-work-often-creates-more-work-instead-of-saving-time/ [https://www.forbes.com/sites/dianehamilton/2026/04/12/why-ai-at-work-often-creates-more-work-instead-of-saving-time/] * https://www.techradar.com/pro/the-problem-is-not-ais-capability-what-wont-improve-on-its-own-is-the-human-side-major-study-claims-white-collar-workers-are-fighting-back-against-ai-in-the-workplace [https://www.techradar.com/pro/the-problem-is-not-ais-capability-what-wont-improve-on-its-own-is-the-human-side-major-study-claims-white-collar-workers-are-fighting-back-against-ai-in-the-workplace] * https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/amazon-internal-document-reportedly-points-to-an-ai-mess-says-ai-is-making-our/articleshow/130366600.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/amazon-internal-document-reportedly-points-to-an-ai-mess-says-ai-is-making-our/articleshow/130366600.cms] AI in the employee lifecycle * https://www.businessinsider.com/ey-talent-chief-ai-changing-employee-recruitment-evaluations-promotions-careers-2026-4 [https://www.businessinsider.com/ey-talent-chief-ai-changing-employee-recruitment-evaluations-promotions-careers-2026-4] * https://fortune.com/2026/04/13/duolingo-ceo-luis-von-ahn-ai-usage-requirement-employee-performance-evaluations/ [https://fortune.com/2026/04/13/duolingo-ceo-luis-von-ahn-ai-usage-requirement-employee-performance-evaluations/] * https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-ai-adoption-dashboard-tokens-tokenmaxxing-claude-cursor-josh-damaro-2026-4 [https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-ai-adoption-dashboard-tokens-tokenmaxxing-claude-cursor-josh-damaro-2026-4] * https://www.businessinsider.com/linkedin-enters-ai-training-market-challenges-startups-2026-4 [https://www.businessinsider.com/linkedin-enters-ai-training-market-challenges-startups-2026-4] Monitoring and governance * https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/meta-start-capturing-employee-mouse-movements-keystrokes-ai-training-data-2026-04-21/ [https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/meta-start-capturing-employee-mouse-movements-keystrokes-ai-training-data-2026-04-21/] * https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-to-all-employees-in-america-we-are-installing-tracking-software-in-your-machines-as-we-need-your-help-to-/articleshow/130424722.cms [https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/mark-zuckerbergs-meta-to-all-employees-in-america-we-are-installing-tracking-software-in-your-machines-as-we-need-your-help-to-/articleshow/130424722.cms] * https://fortune.com/2026/04/13/ai-agents-governance-identity-risk-okta/ [https://fortune.com/2026/04/13/ai-agents-governance-identity-risk-okta/] Early career and hiring * https://www.hrdive.com/news/1-in-5-recent-grads-say-theyre-overqualified/818244/?utm_source=ebn&utm_medium=news-feed&utm_content=story&utm_campaign=all [https://www.hrdive.com/news/1-in-5-recent-grads-say-theyre-overqualified/818244/?utm_source=ebn&utm_medium=news-feed&utm_content=story&utm_campaign=all] * https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/12/college-graduates-job-market-ai [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/apr/12/college-graduates-job-market-ai] * https://www.cbsnews.com/news/artificial-intelligence-entry-level-role-linkedin-study/ [https://www.cbsnews.com/news/artificial-intelligence-entry-level-role-linkedin-study/] * https://theconversation.com/employment-data-shows-the-early-signs-of-ai-job-disruption-are-already-here-280273 [https://theconversation.com/employment-data-shows-the-early-signs-of-ai-job-disruption-are-already-here-280273] * https://www.thehrdirector.com/business-news/recruitment/ghosting-become-illegal-ontario/ [https://www.thehrdirector.com/business-news/recruitment/ghosting-become-illegal-ontario/] Work design and leadership * https://theconversation.com/as-the-world-faces-yet-another-crisis-why-are-leaders-still-resisting-remote-work-280870 [https://theconversation.com/as-the-world-faces-yet-another-crisis-why-are-leaders-still-resisting-remote-work-280870] * https://theconversation.com/the-old-adage-that-people-leave-managers-not-companies-is-true-but-only-up-to-a-point-280879 [https://theconversation.com/the-old-adage-that-people-leave-managers-not-companies-is-true-but-only-up-to-a-point-280879] * https://www.inc.com/kaylawebster/the-great-rollback-has-begun-deloitte-and-zoom-take-the-lead-in-slashing-the-most-coveted-benefits/91333534 [https://www.inc.com/kaylawebster/the-great-rollback-has-begun-deloitte-and-zoom-take-the-lead-in-slashing-the-most-coveted-benefits/91333534] * https://fortune.com/2026/04/22/work-life-balance-bupa-fortune-500-ceo-barack-obama-work-weekend/ [https://fortune.com/2026/04/22/work-life-balance-bupa-fortune-500-ceo-barack-obama-work-weekend/] The Cut List * https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/09/disney-layoffs-ceo-josh-damaro.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/09/disney-layoffs-ceo-josh-damaro.html] * https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-layoffs-memo-marketing-team-chief-brand-officer-asad-ayaz-2026-4 [https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-layoffs-memo-marketing-team-chief-brand-officer-asad-ayaz-2026-4] * https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-layoffs-severance-employees-marketing-team-josh-damaro-2026-4 [https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-layoffs-severance-employees-marketing-team-josh-damaro-2026-4] * https://www.reuters.com/world/meta-targets-may-20-first-wave-layoffs-additional-cuts-later-2026-2026-04-17/ [https://www.reuters.com/world/meta-targets-may-20-first-wave-layoffs-additional-cuts-later-2026-2026-04-17/] * https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/23/microsoft-plans-first-voluntary-retirement-program-for-us-employees.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/23/microsoft-plans-first-voluntary-retirement-program-for-us-employees.html] * https://www.businessinsider.com/snap-layoffs-ai-read-memo-snapchat-2026-4 [https://www.businessinsider.com/snap-layoffs-ai-read-memo-snapchat-2026-4] * https://www.wsj.com/business/has-the-era-of-the-mega-layoff-arrived-928f061d [https://www.wsj.com/business/has-the-era-of-the-mega-layoff-arrived-928f061d] * https://www.inc.com/bruce-crumley/if-ai-isnt-ready-to-replace-workers-why-are-companies-cutting-jobs-anyway/91320511 [https://www.inc.com/bruce-crumley/if-ai-isnt-ready-to-replace-workers-why-are-companies-cutting-jobs-anyway/91320511]