The Monthly Work & Job Market Roundup: March 2025
Welcome to the March 2025 edition of New Stardom’s Monthly Work & Job Market Roundup, a curated snapshot of the most relevant employment stories and labor trends from around the world. While AI tools surface headlines, this recap offers a manually selected, mistake-free collection of key news from trusted sources like BBC, Reuters, NOS, DW, Eurostat, and more. Plus our own analysis.
This month, the headlines are packed: thousands of jobs cut at Audi, Google, British Steel, and Deutsche Post, while cybersecurity roles surge, gender pay transparency discussions gain some ground, and AI continues reshaping workplace norms. From freelancing shifts in the Netherlands to digital skills investment across Europe, here’s your essential briefing on what moved the world of work in March.
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Layoffs, Budget Cuts & Workforce Restructuring
Deutsche Post to Cut 8,000 Jobs Amid Restructuring (DW)
Deutsche Post has announced plans to slash 8,000 jobs as part of a broader cost-cutting and restructuring program affecting its logistics giant DHL Group, which employs around 600,000 people worldwide.
Audi to Cut 7,500 Jobs in Germany to Improve Efficiency (Bloomberg)
Audi has announced plans to cut 7,500 jobs in Germany as part of a cost-saving and efficiency drive. The restructuring aims to streamline operations and adapt to industry shifts, particularly in electric vehicle production.
UK to Cut Civil Service Running Costs by 15% (BBC News)
The move is part of broader efforts to streamline government operations and address budget pressures.
British Steel to Cut 2,700 Jobs (Reuters)
China-owned British Steel says it may close its two UK blast furnaces as early as June, citing pressure from U.S. tariffs, high energy costs, and environmental compliance. The move could lead to up to 2,700 job losses.
US Education Department to Cut Workforce by Nearly 50% (BBC News)
The U.S. Department of Education has announced plans to reduce its workforce by almost half as part of broader restructuring efforts.
Google Announces Job Cuts in Cloud and HR Departments (TechRadar)
The move is part of broader efforts to streamline operations and refocus resources on AI and other strategic priorities vand other commodities.
Voice of America Places 1,300 Employees on Leave Amid Funding Cuts (BBC News)
Voice of America (VOA) has placed nearly its entire staff of 1,300 on administrative leave following significant funding reductions mandated by a recent executive order.
Labor Markets, Employment Data & Inflation Pressures
UK Retailers Raise Prices Due to Higher Employment Costs (Reuters)
The British Retail Consortium warns that rising wages and employment expenses are driving up the cost of goods across various sectors.
Euro GDP Grows by 0.2%, Employment Rises by 0.1% (Eurostat)
Fresh data from Eurostat today. The figures suggest moderate economic growth and stable labor market conditions across EU member states.
U.S. vs. Netherlands: How Wage Growth Measures Up Against Inflation (New Stardom)
While wages have risen in both the U.S. and the Netherlands, inflation has eroded real earnings, affecting purchasing power.
Unemployment Rises in the Netherlands in February (CBS)
According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the Dutch unemployment rate increased to 3.7% in February, up from 3.6% in January. The number of unemployed people rose by 8,000, marking the second consecutive monthly increase as fewer people transitioned from unemployment into paid work.
German Jobless Rate Climbs Higher Than Expected in March (Reuters)
The total number of unemployed now stands at 2.92 million, significantly above the 10,000 rise analysts had expected, highlighting the strain on the labor market despite persistent worker shortages.
U.S. Labor Market Holding Steady, But Job Openings Are Slowing (Reuters)
The U.S. labor market remains stable, with only a slight rise in weekly jobless claims. However, new job opportunities are becoming scarcer, signaling a potential cooling in the pace of hiring across several sectors.
Work-Life Trends & Local Shifts
Tech Firm Bird Exits Amsterdam Over Unfavorable Business Climate (Het Parool)
Amsterdam-based tech company Bird has announced its departure, citing an increasingly unfavorable business environment in the Netherlands.
Part-Time Couples on the Rise in the Netherlands, Says CBS (via AD)
According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), this trend highlights the country's strong focus on achieving a healthy work-life balance.
Over 40% of Dutch Companies Expect to Hire Fewer Freelancers in 2025 (CBS)
A new report from Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reveals that more than 40% of Dutch businesses plan to reduce their use of freelancers (ZZP'ers) this year.
Commuting Distances Increase After Job Change or Relocation (CBS)
The trend reflects shifting labor market dynamics and housing affordability challenges, impacting how far people travel for work.
UWV Error Affects Group of Disabled Workers (NOS)
The Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) has acknowledged an administrative error impacting a small group of disabled workers.
Clients Shifting Tax Risks to Freelancers Despite Legal Restrictions (NOS)
Dutch companies increasingly ask freelancers to assume full tax liability, in conflict with current law.
Tech, AI & Future of Work Shifts
New AI Startup Secures $9 Billion in Initial Funding (via NYT)
A newly launched AI startup has raised an impressive $9 billion right from the start. The company, is founded by former OpenAI executive Mira Murati.
Bill Gates Predicts 2-Day Workweek, Powered by AI Efficiency (Quartz)
Bill Gates says society could choose to work as little as two days a week if artificial intelligence leads to major productivity gains. He emphasizes this shift would depend on how people decide to structure work and economic systems.
Microsoft Launches AI-Powered Security Agents to Support Cybersecurity Teams (ITPro)
Microsoft has introduced new AI security agents designed to assist overworked cybersecurity professionals, aiming to streamline threat detection and incident response. The tools are part of Microsoft's broader push to integrate AI across enterprise security operations.
Google Co-Founder Sergey Brin Pushes for Stronger Return-to-Office Policies (NYT)
Sergey Brin is taking a more active role at Google, advocating for stricter return-to-office measures.
Meta Attempts to Halt Sales of Former Employee’s Critical Memoir (NYT)
The book reportedly contains detailed criticisms of Meta’s internal culture and management practices.
Jeff Bezos Reshapes Washington Post’s Opinion Section, Scaling Back Commentary (Euronews)
The move has sparked debate about the future of opinion journalism.
DEI, Pay Transparency & Gender Equity
The Best Places to Be a Working Woman in 2025 (The Economist)
The Economist’s Glass-Ceiling Index 2025 ranks countries based on women’s participation and advancement in the workforce, measuring factors like pay gaps, childcare costs, parental leave, and senior leadership representation. The latest report highlights which nations are making the most progress toward gender equality in the workplace.
Google Agrees to Pay $28 Million in Racial Bias Lawsuit (BBC News)
Google has agreed to pay $28 million to settle a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination against Hispanic, Latino, Native American, and other minority employees. The lawsuit claimed that these groups were hired at lower salaries and job levels compared to their white and Asian counterparts. While Google denies the allegations, the settlement aims to address the concerns raised and reinforce the company's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.​
Pay Transparency Could Save EU Women €700 Annually, Report Finds (Euronews)
New research suggests that increased pay transparency in the EU could reduce the gender pay gap and boost women's earnings by an average of €700 per year. The findings align with upcoming EU legislation on wage reporting.
Cybersecurity & Digital Skills
Cisco to Train 1.5 Million EU Citizens in Cybersecurity and Digital Skills (Cyber Magazine)
The project aims to help bridge the digital skills gap in Europe, boosting employability and supporting the EU's digital transformation goals.
Demand for Cybersecurity Analysts Soars with 64,000+ Job Postings in 2024 (TechRepublic)
A new report highlights that Cybersecurity Analyst was the most in-demand role in 2024, appearing in over 64,000 job postings. The surge reflects growing global concerns around digital threats and data breaches.
European Universities Welcome U.S. Researchers Affected by Science Budget Cuts (The Guardian)
Several European universities are offering roles and support to U.S. researchers affected by recent science funding cuts, helping them continue their work in a more stable academic environment.
Germany Looks to Retrain Auto Workers for Defense Industry Roles (DW)
With Germany investing more in defense, attention is turning to whether auto sector workers can be retrained for defense manufacturing. Experts say the shift is possible but will require new training programs and structural support.
