- Median Compensation for Leading CHROs Hits $3.7 Million
- Starbucks Launches Quarterly Bonus Program
- Hard Work Is No Longer Guaranteed to Pay Off
- Why Some Employees Aren’t Sold on Their Current Employer
- Lawsuit Alleges Meta Discriminated Against Workers in AI Layoffs
- Figures and Facts of the Week
Median Compensation for Leading CHROs Hits $3.7 Million
The median total compensation for the top 50 chief human resources officers (CHROs) reached $3.7 million in 2025, according to a new study by executive intelligence solutions provider Equilar.
The study examined the compensation of the highest-paid CHROs within the Equilar 500, which tracks the largest U.S. public companies by revenue.
In 2025, the five highest-compensated CHROs were:
- Kelly Tullier, Visa: $14,547,754
- Tracy Skeans, Yum! Brands: $12,085,124
- Jacqueline Canney, ServiceNow: $11,883,772
- Michelle O’Hara, Humana: $8,942,638
- Robert Dzielak, Expedia Group: $8,316,538
* The full list is available to download on the Equilar website.
Stock awards represented the largest component of total pay, coming in at a median of $2 million. Cash bonuses represented the second-largest component at $864,610, while base salaries accounted for a median of $674,688.
Even though women occupied most of the top roles in this field (representing 32 of the 50 executives analyzed), their median pay stood at $3.5 million. In contrast, the 18 male executives earned a median of $5 million, indicating a significant gap remains at the highest levels of the profession.
Starbucks Launches Quarterly Bonus Program
On Monday, July 13, Starbucks’ quarterly Best of Starbucks Reward program went live. Announced in April, the program is “designed to recognize and reward many of the behaviors and contributions that help create a great Starbucks experience every day, from showing up for scheduled shifts and delivering excellent customer service to helping coffeehouses meet key performance expectations.”
Workers at the coffee chain have an opportunity to earn an additional 5% to 8% on average, on top of their current compensation, including:
- The opportunity to earn a new quarterly Best of Starbucks Reward worth up to $1,200 per year ($300 per quarter);
- Expanded tipping options for customers on top of the digital and in-cafe options that exist today (starting July 22); and,
- Weekly pay (starting July 31).
In addition, Starbucks said it would bring greater transparency and consistency to how success is measured across their coffeehouses by adding:
- More visibility into Best of Starbucks Reward eligibility;
- Clearer performance measures, including sales, staffing, inventory and Grow performance; and,
- More consistent attendance expectations, supported by a new points system.
Hard Work Is No Longer Guaranteed to Pay Off
Despite an increased effort at work, 62% of U.S. employees said they have produced little to no meaningful financial progress. This is according to a Cost of Staying Afloat Report by career website MyPerfectResume.
When asked to describe their current financial situation, the surveyed workers reported the following:
- 41% can comfortably cover expenses and save.
- 38% can cover expenses but save little or nothing.
- 17% struggle to cover monthly expenses.
- 4% rely on debt or outside help to get by.
The most common affordability challenges workers face include:
- Groceries (39%)
- Saving for emergencies (38%)
- Saving for retirement (30%)
- Healthcare (24%)
- Rent or mortgage (24%)
- Utilities (22%)
To keep up financially, nearly 72% of workers reported taking at least one coping action:
- 29% used credit cards for basic expenses.
- 29% took on a second job or side hustle.
- 28% worked overtime or extra hours.
- 21% delayed paying bills.
- 20% borrowed money from others.
- 20% sold possessions to keep up financially.
Women represented 70% of workers relying on debt or outside help to get by, and 70% of overall workers said increased effort did not improve their finances at all. Women also were more likely to report worsening affordability conditions and limited savings security, while men were more likely to report financial comfort and stronger perceived financial progress.
Why Some Employees Aren’t Sold on Their Current Employer
Fifty-nine percent of American workers don’t see a clear, long-term path with their current employer, according to a Workplace Situationships Report by career website Zety.
When asked to define their workplace relationship, workers reported the following:
- 32% said the relationship is casual; they’re satisfied but not thinking long term.
- 15% are on the way out, actively exploring other options.
- 12% said it’s complicated, meaning they’re unsatisfied but staying put for now.
The reasons for their frustrations included:
- Limited growth opportunities (32%)
- Feeling unfulfilled or frustrated (23%)
- Poor manager relationships (19%)
- Blurred work-life boundaries (17%)
- Unclear role expectations (15%)
But when asked why they are staying with their current employer, workers reported the following:
- 60% stayed for financial stability.
- 47% remained because their role feels comfortable or familiar.
- 40% stayed for benefits.
- 35% cited flexibility or remote work.
- 29% pointed to job market uncertainty.
- 29% said better opportunities aren’t available.
Lawsuit Alleges Meta Discriminated Against Workers in AI Layoffs
In a lawsuit filed Monday, July 13, in federal court in Oakland, California, a group of 26 Meta employees claimed the tech giant used internal artificial intelligence (AI) systems to select people for layoffs, disproportionately targeting those on medical, parental or family leave.
As reported by the Associated Press, the lawsuit claims the company used keystroke and activity-monitoring data, AI token-usage dashboards and algorithmically assisted performance rankings, among other methods, to determine who would be let go in a round of layoffs back in May. The 26 unnamed workers were among the 10% cut. Although they have been notified of their layoffs, all remain employed by Meta, with separations set to begin July 22.
The plaintiffs allege that Meta failed to take approved absences into account when determining which employees to let go. Each of the employees in the lawsuit were on protected leave, or requested or received a reasonable accommodation for disability. The lawsuit stated the layoffs violated several state and federal laws, including the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
In a statement, Meta said the claims “lack merit and are not based on facts. Workforce management and organizational decisions were and are made by people, not AI.”
Figures and Facts of the Week
- 100,000: The number of global roles German automaker Volkswagen announced it was considering eliminating in response to declining profits, rising tariff costs and stiff competition in China, according to Reuters. In addition to the job cuts, the company also announced possible plant closures and plans to reduce its production capacity.
- 8,600: The U.S. dollar amount quantitative trading firm Susquehanna International Group announced it would pay its interns per week next summer. During the 10-week program, interns could earn $86,000 as a base salary on top of a signing bonus, housing and other perks. The program is open to master’s and doctoral students in the firm’s New York City offices.
- 94: The percentage of executives who reported AI is changing their role, according to new research by executive search firm ON Partners. Despite these changes, when a leadership seat opens, the research found only 9% of organizations substantially rethink the role before hiring into it.
- 70: The percentage of global employees who ranked “work from home” as their top benefit, according to a new report from global recruitment company Morgan McKinley. The report also found 64% of respondents said flexible work affects whether they would accept or decline a job.
- 63: The percentage of U.S. non-tech job titles that now that include or reflect AI in the title, according to new research from employment website Indeed.
- 11: The amount of hours U.S. workers said AI automation saves them a week, according to a new report by enterprise AI platform Glean.
Editor’s Note: Additional Content
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