WO Digest: The labor story behind the jobs numbers; AI at work: Should employers be able to read your emotions? Korn Ferry: AI fatigue meets a heavier workload

The WO Digest: Tuesday, September 15, 2026

• August brought a stronger-than-expected labor market, but the bigger story is where jobs are growing—and where they aren’t. Healthcare is projected to drive a significant share of future job growth, while AI is rapidly reshaping work in India and beyond.
• California lawmakers are moving to restrict AI tools that infer employees’ emotional states from facial expressions, voices and other behavioral signals. The bill highlights a growing workplace question: where should the line be drawn between AI-powered insights and employee privacy?
• Korn Ferry’s new global study finds 62% of employees are carrying heavier workloads, while 52% of AI-weary workers say the technology has added to their workload. Motivation has also fallen, underscoring a growing challenge: organizations need to rethink how people and AI work together—not simply add more technology.
• Labor quality remains the top concern for small businesses, according to NFIB, with 23% citing it as their biggest problem. Even more telling: 82% of owners hiring or trying to hire report few or no qualified applicants.
• ManpowerGroup’s latest outlook sees hiring intentions up six points year-over-year for Q4. Nearly two-thirds of employers adding headcount are hiring for new capabilities, signaling a workforce being reshaped—not simply replenished.
• President Trump says AI needs no additional guardrails, arguing the U.S. already has the regulatory and criminal tools to police AI companies. His comments come as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and other tech leaders call for slowing AI development.
• Lattice’s 2027 State of People Strategy report finds HR gaining influence as AI reshapes performance, productivity and how work gets done. The organizations pulling ahead aren’t simply adopting more technology—they’re adapting culture and management to turn AI into better performance. Explore our full newsfeed at workforceobserver.com and share with your team! It's fact-filled, focused and free! WO Digest is a free, weekly newsletter, delivering a round up of top stories and covering important insights into the world of work.