HR & workforce news on October 21, 2026

1. 0112:36 UTC

   eBay to cut about 1,000 jobs in second reduction this year

   4 outlets · first: Seeking Alpha Market trends

   Machine summary eBay confirmed it will lay off about 9% of its workforce, roughly 1,000 employees, as it streamlines operations and focuses resources on its fastest-growing areas, a company spokesperson said to CNBC. The move follows a 6% reduction in February affecting about 800 employees, and the company reported about 12,300 employees at the end of 2025. eBay said it will continue hiring in priority areas aligned with its strategy.

   1. eBay confirmed it will lay off about 9% of its workforce, affecting approximately 1,000 employees, a company spokesperson said to CNBC
   2. eBay had roughly 12,300 employees as of the end of 2025, according to CNBC
   3. The move follows a 6% workforce reduction in February that affected about 800 employees, per CNBC
   4. CEO Jamie Iannone wrote in a memo seen by Reuters that "Our strategy is working" and that capturing the opportunity ahead requires thoughtful choices about where the company focuses and invests
   5. eBay finalized a $1.4 billion acquisition of resale platform Depop from Etsy in July, according to CNBC

   Reported by CNBC, Seeking Alpha, ph.headtopics.com and ibtimes.co.uk.

   • Reuters
   • CNBC
   • eBay
   • Etsy
   • Depop

2. 0205:16 UTC

   Deloitte study: change initiatives tied to burnout and staff exits

   2 outlets · first: HCAMag Talent

   Machine summary The 2026 Deloitte Change Management Study, surveying 1,000 change management leaders in the US, UK, Australia and Canada, found 69% said their latest change initiative increased employee workload and burnout. Two-thirds said employees left as a direct result of the initiative, with average turnover-related expenses estimated at $20.5 million, rising to $25.5 million among leaders overseeing AI implementation. Deloitte said the human cost of transformation should be measured alongside the business case.

   1. According to the 2026 Deloitte Change Management Study from Deloitte + Workplace Intelligence, 69% of those leading change reported that their latest change initiative raised both workload and burnout among employees.
   2. According to 66%, staff departures were directly caused by the most recent initiative, and the average cost linked to turnover was estimated at $20.5 million.
   3. Among leaders overseeing AI implementation, average turnover-related cost rose to $25.5 million, and 61% said AI transformation is moving faster than employees can handle
   4. 68% of change leaders reported at least one form of employee resistance to their most recent initiative
   5. According to 45%, badly handled change played a part in high-performing staff leaving.

   Reported by HCAMag and Human Resources Director.

   • Deloitte
   • 2026 Deloitte Change Management Study
   • Workplace Intelligence
   • AI transformation

3. 0319:42 UTC

   California draft would widen pregnancy accommodations, drop bonding leave blocks

   2 outlets · first: HR Dive Regulation

   Machine summary Proposed California regulations would expand the list of covered pregnancy-related conditions to include low milk supply and related mental health conditions, add telework and temporary suspension of essential functions as accommodation examples, allow nurses, doulas and psychiatrists to document needs, and remove the requirement that bonding leave be taken in two-week increments, HR Dive reports. Public comments close at 5 p.m. PT Dec. 8 with a hearing at 11 a.m. PT that day.

   1. The California Civil Rights Council's proposed regulations would update FEHA and CFRA rules on pregnancy leave, accommodations, temporary transfers and bonding leave, and are proposals only, not final rules, the National Law Review reports.
   2. The draft broadens "pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition" to cover added physical and mental health conditions, including endometriosis, sciatica and lactation-related conditions such as low milk supply.
   3. Named accommodation examples include telework, remote work, a change of worksite, work adjustments to avoid increased pain and, consistent with the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, temporary suspension of an essential job function, described as examples to consider rather than automatic entitlements.
   4. Public comments close at 5 p.m. PT on Dec. 8 and the council's public hearing is set for 11 a.m. PT that day, HR Dive reports; a Deel economist's analysis cited by the outlet found 34% of U.S. fathers and 33% of mothers are out of their positions six months after parental leave ends.

   Reported by HR Dive and National Law Review.

   • National Law Review
   • Deel
   • California Civil Rights Council
   • Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA)
   • Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA)
   • HR Dive

4. 0412:09 UTC

   Innovate Africa Foundation awards scholarships to more than 450 builders

   1 outlet · first: Punch Talent

   Machine summary According to the Innovate Africa Foundation, full scholarships were granted to over 450 up‑and‑coming product managers and builders; the news was revealed during the Inspire Africa Conference held in Lagos on October 14 and 15. The conference drew more than 600 innovators and enterprise leaders, and included a closed-door product leadership summit with executives from banks, MTN and Paga, according to the report.

   1. The Innovate Africa Foundation gave full scholarships to over 450 up-and-coming product managers and builders, according to a statement it released to PUNCH Online on Wednesday.
   2. The Inspire Africa Conference took place on October 14 and 15 in Lagos and attracted more than 600 innovators, enterprise leaders and other technology and business stakeholders, the report says.
   3. Summit sessions focused on moving beyond feature-driven development toward measurable business outcomes, the report states.

   Reported by Punch and punchng.com.

   • PAGA
   • Inspire Africa Conference
   • MTN
   • Innovate Africa Foundation

Each summary and its key facts are a machine summary of the reports linked under it; the outlets, times and counts come from those reports' own records. How a rundown is built.