Younger workers return to office to boost career prospects
 
December 10, 2025
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Good morning!

Today, we're taking a look at Coinbase's remote-first culture. Also in this issue:

📬Report: Remote work hinders women's promotion rates
📌 Younger workers return to office to boost career prospects
⚖️ SHRM to appeal verdict that awarded $11.5M to former staffer

Here's a look at what we're seeing, what it means, what we're anticipating, what's resonating and what you think about today’s workplace. Let's get SMART!
 
Digital Nomad Bliss: Young Latin Woman Thrives in Outdoor Cafe, Engaged in Remote Work on Computer and Cellphone. Al Fresco Productivity: Hispanic Digital Nomad doing Remote Work
(Patricio Nahuelhual/Getty Images)
Coinbase's remote-first culture: A model for success?
In 2020, Coinbase transitioned to a remote-first structure, eliminating its physical headquarters and enabling employees to work from anywhere. This move was part of a broader organizational shift aimed at supporting its mission-driven culture and talent strategy. A Harvard Business School case study analyzes how this remote-first approach has influenced the company's ability to attract top talent, maintain cultural cohesion during rapid growth, and adapt to ongoing market changes
Full Story: Harvard Business Review (tiered subscription model) (12/9)
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What That Means
 
Report: Remote work hinders women's promotion rates
Remote work appears to hinder women's career advancement, according to LeanIn.org's annual Women in the Workplace report, which shows that 37% of women working remotely three or more days a week were promoted in the past two years, compared with 49% of men in similar situations. The disparity is not present among on-site employees, and LeanIn.org co-founder and CEO Rachel Thomas says companies must ensure equitable opportunities for remote workers
Full Story: Fortune (tiered subscription model) (12/9)
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Younger workers return to office to boost career prospects
Younger workers are returning to the office after finding remote work offers less training, mentorship and promotion opportunities, according to studies from Harvard University and BambooHR. The studies show that 42% of employees have returned to the office in the past year. "You don't feel part of anything, and you rarely see how your efforts fit into a larger picture," said Ben Lamarche of Lock Search Group.
Full Story: Quartz (12/9)
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What We're Anticipating
 
SHRM to appeal verdict that awarded $11.5M to former staffer
 
A classic wooden judge's gavel, complete with its sound block, stands prominently on a light surface, with a softly blurred background featuring stacks of legal books. This iconic imagery strongly represents legal proceedings, justice, authority, and the judicial system, suitable for law firms, educational content, or news.
(Evelyn Mccarthy/Getty Images)
Society for Human Resource Management has been ordered to pay $11.5 million to a former employee after a jury found the organization guilty of racial discrimination and retaliation. The verdict follows allegations that SHRM favored White employees and retaliated against complaints. SHRM has denied the claims and plans to appeal the decision.
Full Story: HR Dive (12/9)
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AI integration, workforce data top 2026 workplace priorities
Digiday (tiered subscription model) (12/10)
 
 
Human-centered leadership vital for HR in 2026
HR magazine (London) (12/10)
 
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What's Resonating
 
 
HR pros urged to prioritize business impact
SmartBrief/Leadership (12/5)
 
 
AI exit interviews raise concerns about workplace interaction
International Business Times (12/8)
 
 
Career storytelling is crucial in era of AI
PR News (tiered subscription model) (12/2)
 
 
 
 
What Do You Think?
 
What do you think of remote work from an HR perspective?
VoteLove it! Remote work allows employees more flexibility.
VoteMeh. There are pros and cons to remote work.
VoteHate it! Employees don't feel like a cohesive team.
VoteOther (email me!)
 
 
 
 
Editor's Note
 
Nina Snyder
I'm all in on remote work, but what are your thoughts? Although sometimes I do miss the weekly donuts in the break room.

As always, let me know if there's a subject area or topic you want to see covered more. 


If you like CHRO, hate CHRO or want to submit a story, email me at nina.snyder@futurenet.com. The kindest compliment you can pay CHRO SmartBrief is to send this link to your friends and colleagues so they can subscribe. Thanks!
 
 
 
 
SmartBreak: Question Of The Day
 
The French song "Comme d'habitude" is the basis for Frank Sinatra's signature tune, "My Way." Who wrote the English lyrics?
Sinatra sang it for his fans, despite his growing dislike due to the lyric's implied conceit. One more fact: There was a time no one could request it in karaoke bars in the Philippines.
VotePaul Anka
VoteIrving Berlin
VoteSammy Cahn
VoteJimmy Van Heusen
 
 
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