Last week, fast food CEO Andrew Puzder was selected by the incoming administration to lead the U.S. Department of Labor. Puzder is currently the CEO of CKE Restaurants, which owns fast-food chains Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. Puzder has been an outspoken critic of the Obama administration’s labor policies, opposing increases to minimum wage and overtime pay and expansion of paid sick leave policies. His selection is opposed by some conservative commentators who sharply criticize Puzder’s past support for immigration reform measures such as a guest worker program and path to legal status for undocumented immigrants. Puzder drew attention earlier this year for advocating automation in fast-food service.

• The Human Rights Campaign announced that a record number of U.S. companies have inclusive policies prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ workers.
• Tennis great Serena Williams wrote an open letter addressing gender discrimination and equal pay.
• A federal judge awarded $2.38 million in fees to the attorneys who sued Uber over alleged discrimination against blind passengers.
• An arbitrator ruled that a Mississippi loan company discriminated against a transgender former employee “because of his sex” when the employee’s boss ordered the employee to dress and act like a woman.

• A survey by online magazine Quartz revealed that interns at technology companies earn significantly more annually than most American workers.
• A Tech Crunch contributor and CEO of a robotics company made the case that automation will create more jobs than it kills.
• Harvard Business Review explained how companies can realize the full potential of their data.
• Business Insider discussed how artificial intelligence software reflects the lack of gender diversity in the tech industry.
• Security experts are worried about the vulnerability of Internet of Things devices to cyberattack.
• CareerBuilder made a recruiting technology wish list.

• In a recent survey, almost 80% of workers surveyed said they come to work sick, and nearly half said they would give up a vacation day to allow a sick coworker to stay home.
• Ikea will give its salaried and hourly workers in the U.S. up to four months of paid parental leave starting January 1.
• The Washington D.C. city council voted to advance a bill that would guarantee extensive paid family and medical leave for employees of businesses and organizations located in the city.
• The Mall of America’s search for its first Santa of color offers important lessons for recruiting a diverse workforce.
• The Fifth Circuit agreed to expedite the Department of Labor’s appeal of an injunction blocking the new overtime rule, with briefing due by the end of January.
• SHRM covered gift and bonus policies.