Jobs are cooling while AI cuts get louder. Leaders tighten control, workers lose patience. Paper Cut connects the dots so HR and employer-brand leaders can act with clarity.

📰 Subscribe to the free Paper Cut newsletter: https://ebn.to/sub25

🔗 Follow EBN on LinkedIn: https://ebn.to/lin25

⸻

📌 Sources & Links:

Stall Speed Meets Automation Hype

Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-labor-market-cracks-widen-job-growth-hits-stall-speed-2025-08-01/

Financial Times: https://www.ft.com/content/04a83e0d-0128-4f59-9835-cb434a4257ec

The Independent: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/artificial-intelligence-replacing-jobs-report-b2800709.html

Futurism: https://futurism.com/companies-fixing-ai-replacement-mistakes

Leader Talk vs Worker Reality

Financial Express: https://www.financialexpress.com/life/technology-google-ceo-sundar-pichai-tells-employees-amid-massive-it-industry-layoffs-i-think-we-have-to-3935901/

CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/05/ai-labor-market-young-tech-workers-goldman-economist.html

Times of India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/tech-news/github-ceo-thomas-dohmke-to-software-engineers-either-you-or-get-out-of-your-career/articleshow/123112508.cms

Times of India: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/tcs-responds-after-employee-sleeps-outside-pune-office-over-unpaid-salary-viral-photo-sparks-outrage-company-cites-unauthorized-absence/articleshow/123113374.cms

Control Fever vs What Works

Entrepreneur: https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/microsoft-plannings-return-to-office-mandate-report/495561

CNBC: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/08/07/companies-monitoring-enforcing-office-attendance.html

EvidenceNetwork: https://evidencenetwork.ca/scientists-have-been-studying-remote-work-for-four-years-and-have-reached-a-very-clear-conclusion-working-from-home-makes-us-happier/

Harvard Business Review: https://hbr.org/2025/08/its-time-to-streamline-how-we-communicate-at-work

Economic Times: https://m.economictimes.com/magazines/panache/company-demands-employees-work-12-hours-per-day-netizens-react-at-least-they-are-honest/articleshow/123161263.cms

Yahoo Finance AU: https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/major-work-from-home-turning-point-as-employees-return-the-office-worst-behind-us-003808446.html

The Quiet Rebuild: Freelancers and Fragile Focus

TechCrunch: https://techcrunch.com/2025/08/06/upwork-acquires-bubty-and-ascen-with-plans-to-launch-a-standalone-enterprise-business/

Fast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/91379675/how-to-respond-to-quiet-cracking-a-new-workplace-threat

⸻

#EmployerBrand #AIatWork #FutureOfWork #TalentStrategy