Labor Relations: California’s largest public-sector union, SEIU 1000, is voting on whether to authorize a strike over stalled contract talks with the Newsom administration, with members citing pay, health care and “telework that works.” Workplace Accountability: UNC’s Bill Belichick said the program is “totally” focused on following rules as the school investigation widens after general manager Michael Lombardi resigned following an HR-linked complaint; questions have also touched hiring and conduct involving female and minority staff. Public-Sector HR Modernization: Ghana and Burkina Faso used HR Café to push deeper public-sector reforms, human capital development and responsible AI adoption, including new guidance for social media and digital conduct by government institutions. Digital HR in Government: Nigeria’s G.A.N.D.A.ng HR project in Kalinga (2026-2028) aims to modernize recruitment, HR records and service delivery through digital portals and integrated HR processes. Safety & Compliance: Woodward Foods Australia was fined $375,000 after a casual worker’s hand was crushed in a mill, leading to amputation—another reminder that HR and operations must align on training and risk controls. Manager Capability: A new focus on “manager pipeline” skills highlights empathy, judgment and learning agility as organizations rethink who’s ready to lead people. Mental Wellbeing at Work: Australia’s “R U OK?” research found small wellbeing gains tied to social connection, reinforcing HR’s role in building practical check-in habits.