This week's key dynamics in the HR field are presented through five sets of numbers: Kroger will pay a settlement to resolve disability discrimination allegations; some long-term employees no longer need to provide I-9 forms. Below is a detailed interpretation of these numbers and other noteworthy HR headlines.

Number Dashboard

Key Numbers
2
This is the maximum number of consecutive days that Bank of America employees will no longer be allowed to work remotely. According to the company, starting in mid-September, employees will not be able to work from home for two consecutive days.
8
This is the number of books on the summer reading list compiled by the HR Dive editorial team for readers to choose from during their vacations.
63%
According to a survey by ETS and The Harris Poll, 63% of surveyed employees said that it is difficult to find time for skill improvement beyond completing daily work. This proportion highlights the widespread 'skill update anxiety' in the workplace.
November 7, 1986
This is the cutoff date for employee start dates. According to a lawyer at Littler, employees who started before this date no longer need to fill out the I-9 form (Employment Eligibility Verification).
$75,000
This is the amount Kroger will pay to settle a discrimination allegation. The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that Kroger was accused of discriminating against a cashier who requested reasonable accommodation due to nerve damage from cancer treatment, and the case was settled for $75,000.

These numbers reflect the multiple challenges companies currently face in remote work policies, employee development support, compliance management, and workplace inclusivity. HR professionals need to closely monitor these trends to develop more forward-looking human resource strategies.