North America HR News Flash: Friday, November 6, 2026

California signs SB 947 and SB 951 on AI in employment decisions and tech-driven layoff notices

• SB 947 sets requirements for ADS used in discipline and termination, operative July 1, 2027
• SB 947 prohibits using ADS to violate labor, safety or civil rights laws or to infer protected status
• SB 951 adds disclosures to Cal/WARN notices when AI or automation substantially contributes to layoffs

What employers should do: Review whether ADS tools are used in discipline or termination and assess SB 947 requirements; Update Cal/WARN notices to include SB 951 disclosures where technology-driven layoffs occur

New York law effective Nov. 8 requires employers to provide personnel records within five business days

• From Nov. 8, employers must provide a free copy of personnel records within five business days of a written request
• Employers must notify employees within 10 calendar days when adding potentially negative information
• Records kept three years after employment ends; violations carry fines of $500 to $2,500

What employers should do: Update the personnel record request process to meet the five-business-day deadline at no cost; Set up a 10-calendar-day notice process for adding potentially negative information and retain records for three years

Meta reportedly weighs cutting 16,000 jobs, 20% of staff, to fund AI infrastructure spending

• Meta is reportedly weighing cuts of about 16,000 jobs, 20% of staff
• AI infrastructure spending could reach $135 billion in 2026
• About 8,000 jobs cut this year; plans to hire 6,000 canceled
• Figures not yet confirmed by Meta

Canva restructuring reportedly to affect about 1,271 employees, with severance including MacBook and grants up to $10,000

• Canva announced restructuring after projected revenue growth slowed from 30% to 20%
• About 1,271 employees reportedly affected
• Exit package includes healthcare, career support and grants up to USD 10,000; staff without a personal laptop can keep their MacBook

Upwork Q3 2026 revenue falls to $185.6 million; net income rises to $31.81 million; CFO transition announced

• Q3 revenue of $185.6 million, versus $201.73 million a year earlier
• Net income of $31.81 million, or $0.25 per share
• CFO transition announced; public beta of Upwork Now launched