Latest news with #hiringfreeze
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Harvard extends hiring freeze, says Trump actions could cost school $1B a year
Harvard University announced to its staff Monday that the hiring freeze it enacted earlier this year would continue — and gave a reckoning of what Trump administration actions are expected to cost the school. It could come to about $1 billion a year, Harvard administrators said. In an email sent to staff on Monday, obtained by MassLive, Harvard University administrators listed federal actions that have hit Harvard's bottom line, including canceled research grants and contracts, reductions to the budgets of the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health and the threat of ending Harvard's ability to accept foreign students. Most recently, President Donald Trump's signature on the law known as the 'Big Beautiful Bill' dramatically increased a tax on income from Harvard's endowment. The endowment tax increase, from 1.4% to as high as 8%, stands to hit Harvard particularly hard, as nearly 40% of the university's yearly operating budget comes from that source, administrators told staff in the email. 'The combined impact of these and other federal actions on Harvard's budget could approach $1 billion annually,' administrators wrote. The letter says leadership hopes to prevail in Harvard's multiple legal challenges underway against the Trump administration, in particular about canceled funding and over Harvard accepting foreign students. The university is also exploring alternate sources of funding, including adding $250 million to a research continuity fund. 'As that work proceeds, we also need to prepare for the possibility that the lost revenues will not be restored anytime soon,' the letter continues. Leadership in each school at Harvard has been tasked with cutting spending and making operations more efficient, according to the letter. The hiring freeze at Harvard will continue except in 'extraordinary cases,' which include 'positions essential to fulfilling the terms of gift- or grant-funded projects,' administrators wrote. 'The unprecedented challenges we face have led to disruptive changes, painful layoffs and ongoing uncertainty about the future,' the letter says. 'As we meet these challenges together, we will continue to benefit from our commitment to one another and the commitment of Harvard and every research university to serving the nation and the world through our core mission of teaching, learning, and research.' The letter is signed by Harvard President Alan Garber, Provost John Manning, Executive Vice President Meredith Weenick and Chief Financial Officer Ritu Kalra. The Trump administration has targeted Harvard in multiple ways over the past six months, stating that the university failed to adequately counter antisemitism on campus. The message to staff comes amid reports that Harvard and the Trump administration are in negotiations on a deal. More Harvard University news Trump admin halted Harvard grant, but Defense Dept. still paid it, court docs say A reckoning: Trump's attacks are inspiring self-reflection in higher ed Harvard continues dismantling its DEI offices amid Trump attacks Trump admin renews demand for Harvard foreign student info: 'We tried to do things the easy way' Read the original article on MassLive.
Forbes
14-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Is It Time To Jump Ship? How To Read The Warning Signs In The 2025 UK Job Market
The UK job market in 2025 feels different. While headlines haven't declared a recession, something quieter is happening under the surface - and professionals can feel it. Wages are slowing, interest rates remain high, and hiring announcements are being replaced by cost-cutting measures and 'quiet' redundancies. It's not a crash, but it's not stable either. On LinkedIn, whispers of stealth layoffs and hiring freezes are growing louder. Workers across industries are starting to ask: is this just a temporary wobble - or is it time to move on? The truth is, some roles and sectors are tightening, while others are still growing. The key isn't to panic, but to read the signs early. Here's how to assess whether it's time to jump ship - or dig in and future-proof your position. What's fuelling the unease in 2025 UK professionals have good reason to feel cautious. Over the last year, wage growth has cooled despite rising living costs, leaving many with less spending power in real terms. Meanwhile, employment-related taxes have increased, pressuring companies to trim their teams or freeze hiring altogether. In response to rising employment costs and tax burdens, a growing number of UK firms have frozen hiring or scaled back recruitment, contributing to a cautious tone across the labour market. At the same time, the number of entry-level job openings has declined significantly since 2023, making it harder for young professionals to get a foot in the door. This squeeze on new talent often signals broader caution across the hiring landscape. In certain sectors - especially those sensitive to interest rates or automation - opportunities are thinning. These trends don't necessarily signal a full downturn, but the Bank of England warns that the UK jobs market is starting to cool, and stability is beginning to feel fragile across several sectors. For employees in roles with narrow specialisation or low future demand, the environment may start to feel increasingly uncertain. Local signs your role could be at risk While national data can be helpful, the clearest warnings are usually closer to home. It's often the internal cues - the subtle shifts in workload, budgets, or tone - that tell you when change is on the way. If your team has delayed backfilling open roles, postponed bonuses or training, or shifted to vague language around goals, these are serious warning signs. Closer to home, signs like unusually close supervision, being excluded from client work, or reduced responsibilities should raise alarms. Professionals reporting these issues have highlighted warning signals such as reduced workload and shifts in project focus as key indicators of trouble. Some organisations are now adopting a 'wait-and-see' model, where promotions are stalled and projects quietly wind down without formal restructuring. It may not feel like a layoff, but it creates the same effect: lower morale and reduced growth for individual employees. If this pattern is emerging in your company, it could be time to reassess whether your role is still safe - or still satisfying. In 2025, many UK professionals are quietly questioning their job security - and weighing whether ... More it's the right moment to pivot. How to assess your personal risk profile Not everyone needs to update their CV overnight. But knowing how exposed you are can help you decide what steps to take next. One useful starting point is to consider how critical your role is to revenue or strategic growth. If your work is closely tied to client delivery, compliance, or innovation, it's more likely to be protected during uncertain times. On the other hand, if you've seen your responsibilities shrink, or your function is perceived as support rather than core, the risk may be rising. Industry matters too. Roles in sectors affected by high borrowing costs - like construction, retail, or early-stage tech - may be feeling the squeeze. The same is true for functions that could be streamlined by automation or outsourcing. If you've recently lost headcount around you, or noticed your workload dropping off without being replaced, that could be another sign that things are shifting. The best time to evaluate these signals is before they become urgent. Once your position is already on the line, the window for proactive planning may have closed. Why staying put can sometimes be riskier than moving There's a long-held belief that you shouldn't change jobs when the economy feels shaky. But in today's environment, staying still can carry its own risks - especially if the foundation beneath you is starting to erode. When organisations go quiet, employees tend to follow suit. Fewer people push for promotions or seek outside opportunities, creating a false sense of security. But in reality, roles can vanish just as quickly during silent slowdowns as they can during headline-making layoffs. Those who move early - while their confidence and leverage are still intact - are often able to command better salaries and more strategic roles than those who wait until they have no choice. That doesn't mean you should resign out of fear. But it does mean that if your career development has stalled and your job feels increasingly peripheral, leaving may actually be the safer long-term move. How to prepare for your next move - even if you stay You don't have to be job hunting to be job ready. In fact, many professionals are now keeping a quiet plan B in motion behind the scenes. The first step is updating your public and private career materials. Refresh your CV with recent accomplishments and refocus your LinkedIn profile toward the types of roles you'd consider if the right opportunity arose. And as this Forbes guide shows, future‑proofing your career is now about outsmarting AI - whether that means upskilling, diversifying, or leaning into your most human strengths. If you're in a specialist field, now's the time to gather testimonials or endorsements while your network is still warm. Then, start having low-stakes conversations - informational catch-ups with peers, mentors, or former colleagues. You're not asking for jobs, just reactivating your radar. This can reveal which industries and companies are hiring and which teams are expanding.. The goal here isn't to rush out the door. It's to be three steps ahead if the ground begins to shift under you. Where opportunity still exists in 2025 Despite economic headwinds, some sectors have shown resilience, with steady demand continuing into mid-2025 - particularly in healthcare, sustainability, and parts of professional services. Green energy, sustainability, and ESG-focused roles continue to gain traction, especially in consulting and infrastructure. Healthcare remains a robust area, particularly in diagnostics and clinical support. And as this Forbes article outlines, pivoting strategically starts by recognising the right signals - including mismatches between your values and your current role, or signs of stagnation within your team or industry. Legal and financial services have also shown resilience, driven by compliance demands and regulatory complexity. If you have skills in project management, client relationship building, or digital strategy, these are likely transferable into growth-oriented roles across sectors. Shifting industries doesn't have to mean starting over. With the right framing, even small pivots can open doors to more stable and forward-facing opportunities. The final word: act early, act wisely The UK job market isn't in freefall - but it's not fully steady either. For professionals feeling uncertain, the smartest strategy isn't to leap without thinking, but to observe and prepare with intention. Pay attention to the small shifts in your day-to-day. Stay alert to what's happening in your team, your sector, and your company's positioning. And if the signs are pointing in a worrying direction, don't wait for a formal announcement. Move when you're ready - not when you're forced to. Because in 2025, the strongest career move might be the one you start planning quietly today.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump extends federal hiring freeze with exceptions for military, immigration enforcement
WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump ordered an extension of his freeze on hiring rank-and-file federal workers through Oct. 15, to lock in savings from layoffs and deferred retirements. Trump has reduced the federal workforce by tens of thousands. For example, the Department of Veterans Affairs said on July 7 it had reduced its workforce by 17,000 since January and aimed to shrink it another 12,000 through attrition by the end of the fiscal year ending on Sept. 30. The department began the year with 484,000 workers. Trump's order says, 'No Federal civilian position that is vacant may be filled, and no new position may be created' except for exemptions or as required by law. His previous hiring freeze, ordered in January, had been extended through July 15 and has now been extended again. Congress designates some agency functions in statute, which require a change in law to abolish, while others are created by agency chiefs and can be eliminated. Lawmakers are debating whether to agree with some of the administration's decisions to dismantle agencies and reduce the workforce. 'Contracting outside the Federal Government to circumvent the intent of this memorandum is prohibited,' the order says. The heads of agencies 'shall seek efficient use of existing personnel and funds to improve public services and the delivery of those services,' the order says. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins said a department-wide reduction in workforce was "off the table," but officials would continue to look for ways to make the agency more efficient. "Our review has resulted in a host of new ideas for better serving Veterans that we will continue to pursue,' Collins said. The hiring freeze exempts the executive office of the president, officials he appoints directly, the military, immigration enforcement, national security or public safety. Trump said the director of the Office of Personnel Management could grant exceptions to the policy as 'otherwise necessary.' This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump extends federal hiring freeze with some exceptions
Forbes
28-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Maryland Institutes Hiring Freeze And Buyouts To Remedy $121 Million Gap
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - JUNE 7: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore goes to greet guests during a campaign event ... More 2024 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by) Governor Moore, who advocates for recruiting fired federal workers, now faces the challenge of retaining his state government employees due to Maryland's budget shortfall. In just a few days, beginning July 1, the state of Maryland will institute a state hiring freeze (of sorts) and offer voluntary employee buyouts to employees nearing retirement or otherwise eligible to accept the state government buyout offer. Governor Moore announced the hiring freeze and funding predicament. Moore announced Tuesday that the state will implement a hiring freeze for fiscal year 2026 (from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026) in response to the "historical fiscal challenge' that the current economy and budget present. Governor Moore stated that his administration is 'committed to engaging with our public sector unions as we work through these difficult decisions. We are moving with care and intentionality to minimize impact on current employees and be transparent throughout the process.' A union representative for Maryland's public service workers indicates that the union has remained in communication with the governor's office and will continue to advocate for resources for union workers. Some key tenants for the hiring freeze and buyout plan. State government leaders express that the administration will act with transparency and intentionality so as to limit confusion, minimize disruptions and avoid public service delays and interruptions for taxpayers. Basically, the administration intends to fix the budget shortfall by using a soft-hand approach with hiring, personnel and operational matters. The key tenants of the plan are as follows: Wes Moore's chief of staff clarifies details about the hiring freeze. Moore's chief of staff, Fagan Harris, discussed the plan for moving forward to remedy the budget shortfall while simultaneously recruiting and hiring skilled new workers for priority roles. During the interview with WTOP News on Wednesday, Harris clarified a few key points about the administration's plans. Regarding it being an actual full-blown hiring freeze, Fagan Harris says: Regarding buyouts and collaboration with unions, Harris says: Regarding continuing to recruit and hire federal workers while dealing with a $121 million budget shortfall, Fagan Harris says: The messaging from the Moore administration is that they intend to identify and remedy inefficiencies and eliminate vacant positions where possible so as to limit the negative impact to services and programs as well as current government employees and citizens. Recommended reading: New Federal Hiring Freeze End Date And Hiring Restrictions Nail The Interview: Answer 'Why Should We Hire You' Like A Pro How Long Will The Federal Hiring Freeze Last? Implications For Government Employees
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Quebec won't approve school board deficits this year
Quebec imposed a hiring freeze in the public education sector as of Nov. 1 due to its tight financial situation. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press) Quebec's school service centres and school boards will not be allowed to run a deficit or dip into any existing surplus to mitigate the latest budget cuts, the Education Ministry said in a letter sent Monday. In the letter sent out by Deputy Minister of Education Carole Arav, of which CTV News obtained a copy, educational institutions were told they would no longer be able appropriate their accumulated surpluses as of June 30, 2025. Institutions in Quebec typically have to ask the Education Ministry for permission to run a deficit. 'It should be noted that the appropriation rule was intended to allow public educational institutions to report a deficit up to the permitted appropriation limit without having to submit a request to the Minister of Education,' Arav said in her letter. 'Consequently, the rule changed to 0 per cent appropriation means that educational institutions can no longer present a deficit budget for 2025-2026.' Arav also said the Ministry has no plans to allow school authorities to present deficits if they were to request one. The Quebec English School Boards Association (QESBA) said it was 'astounded, outraged and deeply alarmed' by the news in a statement. The Coalition Avenir Québec government announced a $570-million budget cut in the education system earlier this month, on top of the $200 million it slashed in December. 'This government is expecting us to make these astronomical cuts on the backs of our students, which is completely unacceptable. These reckless decisions will have devastating and long-term consequences for an entire generation of students,' said QESBA President Joe Ortona on June 13. 'This financial crisis was not created by school boards, and we will not allow our school system's integrity to be sacrificed to solve this government's deficit,' he added. In her letter, Arav said that 'despite the challenge,' she is 'confident' that administrative teams will be able to find 'the best possible solutions' while 'preserving the services provided to students as much as possible.' 'We are counting on you to act as guardians of the proper management of the public funds entrusted to you in your role,' she said. On Monday, the same day Arav sent her letter, the Fédération autonome de l'enseignement (FAE) called for Quebec Education Minister Bernard Drainville to step down, saying he is not fit for the position.
