Employee Benefits

Bank of America announced a U.S. minimum hourly wage increase to $25, effective early October 2025, impacting thousands of employees and fulfilling its $25 by 2025 pledge. This translates to over $50,000 annually for full-time employees. The company emphasizes career advancement opportunities, comprehensive benefits, and significant investment in employee development, contributing to economic growth. The move may pressure other financial institutions to raise wages and could impact Bank of America’s future performance.

Gusto, a $9.3 billion payroll and HR software company, has acquired Guideline, a corporate retirement plan provider. The deal aims to streamline employee benefits for small businesses. Gusto plans to integrate Guideline’s expertise to capitalize on the growing trend of state-mandated employer-sponsored retirement plans and cross-sell services to its 400,000+ customers. Guideline’s integrations with other payroll providers will remain. Gusto aims to add 150,000 new clients this year, expanding its market share in the U.S.

JD.com launched its 2026 campus recruitment program, aiming to hire 35,000 individuals, including 20,000 graduates and 15,000 interns. Recruits will participate in a “Five-Year Growth Plan” with personalized development. JD.com emphasizes unrestricted promotions and has consistently increased compensation and incentives. Notably, the company is investing 7 billion RMB in apartments for young professionals in Beijing, with free accommodation for qualifying interns, demonstrating its commitment to attracting and retaining talent.

Meituan is restructuring its instant retail operations, expanding offerings while withdrawing from unprofitable regions. The company assures no layoffs for full-time employees and honors job offers to new graduates. Meituan Select is undergoing strategic upgrades, including exploring new retail models. Employee compensation and benefits remain unaffected. Service shutdowns are underway in several provinces due to regional business adjustments.