Employers added 287,000 jobs in June, a turnaround from a disappointing 38,000 added in May, according to the Labor Department. Hourly earnings increased, while unemployment climbed to 4.9% from 4.7%. The New York Times (free-article access for SmartBrief readers) (7/8)
Microsoft's attempt to woo young interns backfired when a recruiter's email inviting "bae" to get "lit" at a party with plenty of "dranks and "hella noms" was posted on Twitter. Microsoft says it did not sanction the embarrassing email and has promised to "take appropriate steps to address it." Business Insider (7/6)
Leadership & Development
How Intel helps transitioning employees The first step toward a trans-positive workplace policy is parity in bathroom access, and Intel also covers related surgeries, said Keith Epstein of Intel's HR department. "In truth, when one person transitions at Intel," Epstein said, "all the people around them transition -- it's an emotional and psychological process that everyone goes through." Bloomberg BNA (free content) (7/5)
Benefits & Compensation
Gender pay gap varies by race, analysis shows On average, Asian and white women make more money than black and Hispanic women do, according to an analysis by the Pew Research Center. Similarly, black and Hispanic women have seen less progress toward closing the pay gap with white men. Fortune (7/1)
The HR Leader
It's OK to not have an opinion Having the humility to know when you don't know something is a rare sight in today's world, writes Steve McKee. "[I]t's easy to substitute instinct, opinion and even unfettered bias for certainty. And unfortunately, it infects our personal and political lives as much as it does business," he says. SmartBrief/Leadership (7/6)
A letter penned by Thomas Jefferson in 1815 has been unearthed by a family sorting through their cluttered attic, in what experts are calling the historical find of the decade. In the letter, Jefferson rails against the British and urges Americans to "sacrifice the last dollar and drop of blood" to safeguard their independence. FoxNews.com (7/5)
When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.
