Shredded: Workday, Aerotek, PAC Group, Monster, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Indeed & More

The Shred is a weekly roundup of what’s making headlines in the world of employment.

• 0:00Speaker 00

  Dude, it turns out that Winston Smart Recruiter's first AI hiring sidekick is taking all the grunt work out of recruiters' day. Things like candidate screening, scheduling, all the admin garbage no one actually wants to touch. Winston can do it all.

• 0:17Speaker 01

  Man, you know I'm a fan of using new tech that takes the boring repetitive crap out of a recruiter's day and allows them to have more time to connect with hiring managers and candidates.

• 0:29Speaker 00

  Yep, Winston is doing the heavy lifting while recruiters kick back and do the actual hiring stuff. You know, like talking to people.

• 0:37Speaker 01

  I really dig that Smart Recruiters is evolving out of the legacy ATS model and embracing cleaner processes using AI. With most ATS providers, it's like, hey, 2003 called and it wants its 30-minute application process back.

• 0:53Speaker 00

  No doubt. It sounds like Rebecca and the team are using Winston to push Smart Recruiters into the future while the ATS vendors are basically on an AOL dial-up modem with a dashboard.

• 1:05Speaker 01

  With Smart Recruiters, Winston does the grind and the recruiters get the glory.

• 1:11Speaker 00

  For more information on superhuman hiring with Winston, visit smartrecruiters.com. That's smartrecruiters.com.

• 1:19Speaker 01

  Start using Winston today, or I guess you can stick with...

• 1:25Speaker 02

  Now we return you to our regular scheduled program in progress.

• 1:30Speaker 03

  Hide your kids, lock the doors. You're listening to HR's most dangerous podcast. Chad Soash and Joel Cheeseman.

• 1:38Speaker 04

  Hi kids, it's Cole Cheeseman and I'm bringing you the shred for the third week of August 2026. The shred is a weekly roundup of what's picking headlines in the world of employment.

• 1:51Speaker 04

  And now to the news in no particular order. Workday shares jumped nearly 18% following reports that private equity firm Silver Lake is in buyout discussions with the human resources software maker. The report boosted Workday's market value to nearly $51 billion amid recent AI-related pressures on software stocks.

• 2:12Speaker 05

  Another one.

• 2:14Speaker 04

  Hanover, Maryland-based Aerotek acquired Troy, Michigan-based engineering firm The PAC Group and launched two practices focused on facilities, management, and automation installation. The transaction expands Aerotek's industrial services platform, combining Pack's technical expertise with Aerotek's workforce capabilities. Pack will continue operating under its current leadership. Terms were undisclosed.

• 2:38Speaker 05

  Another one.

• 2:40Speaker 04

  According to a Monster survey, unclear job descriptions make 78% of workers likely to abandon applications. Conversely, 85% are more likely to apply when postings are accurate and transparent about challenges, salary ranges, workload, hours, and employee reviews.

• 2:58Speaker 05

  Another one.

• 3:00Speaker 04

  LinkedIn is closing its Tel Aviv R&D center and laying off nearly all of its approximately 50 employees, leaving only a few temporarily. Established in 2022 following the acquisition of analytic startup Reeb, the center operated independently from owner Microsoft's Israeli operations.

• 3:20Speaker 05

  Another one.

• 3:22Speaker 04

  A Microsoft and LinkedIn study reveals that as AI automates tactical tasks, emotional intelligence, and soft skills are becoming vital for leaders, empathy, psychological safety, and community-building counter workplace isolation and stress, making genuine human connection essential for driving organizational trust and innovation.

• 3:41Speaker 05

  Another one.

• 3:43Speaker 04

  While generative AI has not caused widespread job loss, the employment gap for workers aged 22 to 25 in high exposure roles widened to 19% by mid-2026. This shift stems mainly from reduced hiring and occupations relying on codified knowledge rather than increased layoffs.

• 4:00Speaker 05

  Another one.

• 4:01Speaker 04

  Indeed is shifting its strategy from a search-based model to a matching and sourcing marketplace by using brand marketing, fandom partnerships, and empathy-focused campaigns. Indeed aims to engage passive job seekers early, encouraging profile creation to connect talent with employers via AI tools.

• 4:18Speaker 05

  Another one.

• 4:20Speaker 04

  According to a LinkedIn study, Gen Z and millennial workers are capturing high-paying AI jobs despite broader market challenges. However, the study highlights disparities as women remain unrepresented in AI hiring and high educational requirements may widen overall pay gaps.

• 4:38Speaker 05

  Another one.

• 4:39Speaker 04

  Cape Town-based HR tech startup Jem raised $8.4 million in Series A funding led by Quona Capital. This brings total funding to $14 million. This fund, the funds will help expand its WhatsApp-based workforce management platform into an AI-native solution, aiming to reach 1 million deskless workers and expand internationally. Be sure to tune into the weekly show for this and more news and commentary from the world of recruiting. Cheeseman out.

• 5:12Speaker 04

  Adios turd nuggets.