HR Leader’s top 10 career-related stories for 2025

Read here our 10 most-read stories about career, recruitment, and job cut announcements made this year.

10. ‘Economic crisis’: Union claims 9k jobs at risk if Star Casino collapses

As the fate of the Star Casino still hangs in the balance, this story, published in early 2025, explores the implications of the casino’s collapse on the thousands of workers keeping its operations in motion. The story explores how the union believe the collapse will lead to “devastating ripple effect through our major cities.”

9. Telstra clarifies 550 job cuts ‘not a result of our adoption of AI’

Telstra confirmed 550 job cuts in July after announcing its Connected Future 30 strategy two months prior. This story dives into what the telecommunications company aimed to achieve from this retrenchment, what unions thought about these changes, and the government’s reflections on AI.

8. AI-driven job cuts on the cards for Telstra

In May, Telstra announced its Connected Future 30 strategy, which included plans to “evolve” and further increase its AI implementation strategy. The story also delved into what the unions thought about the company’s plans to shrink its workforce by 2030 in a five-year plan.

7. Bank of Queensland confirms 9 branch closures, union claims a ‘shameful act of betrayal'

With the closure of nine Bank of Queensland branches in June, this story looks at the union response and the effects of these closures on staff. It dives into what this decision meant to staff and potential impacts to their “connections to local customers and communities”.

6. Coles, Woolies underpayment matter sent back to square one

In a “scathing judgment” handed down in the Federal Court against Coles and Woolworths regarding underpayments by the two supermarket giants, the court found that there was a “lack of factual foundation” to support specific findings. The story goes over the four separate proceedings that landed the supermarket in court, which included two from the Fair Work Commission and two class actions.

5. Woolworths’ major price drop announcement on back of job cuts

In May, Woolworths announced its next steps in its battle with rival Coles, slashing prices on nearly 400 of its most popular grocery items. This story delves into the supermarket’s price reductions, $400 million cost-saving plan, industrial action, and price gouging allegations.

4. Minns stands on back-to-office stance despite Albanese’s objections

In March, Chris Minns backed RTO mandates and called Prime Minister Albanese’s praise of flexibility as “out of touch". This story highlights key union commentary for this “hot-button” issue that was a headline issue leading up to the federal election, which took place this year.

3. Woolworths to cut office-based staff

In addition to the proceedings and price reductions which affected the supermarket giant this year, Woolworths, announced cuts to its office-based staff in February, with a planned business restructure. This story collated key reflections by spokespeople for the supermarket about the implications and the desired outcome of these decisions.

2. ‘Gutting trust’: Rio Tinto to slash FIFO workers’ sick leave

In a unilateral decision by mining giant Rio Tinto to remove sick leave entitlements for FIFO workers in August, this story highlights key concerns and backlash from unions and the key implications of the proposal.

1. Woolworths implements RTO mandate for 10k workers

Topping the list is another story about the supermarket giant, Woolworths, which saw it recall 10,000 office-based to the office early this year, to be effective 2 June 2025. The story revealed the supermarket’s efforts to create more “in-person connection” at the company and what non-adherents thought about the move.