HRMorning’s Top 10 HR Stories of 2025

Every year, we take a closer look at what worked for HR professionals as they navigate the ups and downs of the industry.

And the top 10 HR stories of the year show a recap of what they faced and how they overcame obstacles and tackled new trends this year.

The top-rated stories – those that our HRMorning readers clicked on and needed most – were full of unprecedented orders, groundbreaking laws, and best practices in HR strategy and execution.

Glimpse: Top 10 HR Stories of 2025

They include important topics, such as wages, shifting federal laws, leave and pay transparency.

Here are the top 10 HR stories from our site in 2025, a brief summary of each and a link to the full story:

1. 2 IRS Notices Shed Light on Reporting Overtime and Tips

The IRS issued a detailed notice covering the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) earlier this year, offering guidance to individual taxpayers who plan to claim the new deductions for qualified tips and qualified overtime compensation. And as workers get ready to fill out the 1040 – and are likely to come to HR for help – the IRS guidance may clear up some of their confusion.

2. Pay Transparency Laws by State: HR’s Latest Compliance Guide

Pay transparency was a dominant legislative theme in 2025, with many more states and municipalities adding laws and either expanding or updating existing laws. Here’s what HR needs to know about pay transparency laws, why they’re becoming more important, and which states and localities have passed pay transparency legislation.

3. 6 Employer Tax Changes Now That Big Beautiful Bill Is Law

On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act became law, with numerous tax implications for employers as well as employees. Much more is contained within the nearly 1,000 pages of the 2025 budget reconciliation bill. We give you a rundown of some key provisions of the tax reform legislation.

4. DOGE’s Sweeping Changes of Federal Agencies: Here’s the Latest

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) got its start on Day One of President Donald Trump’s second term and met with immediate legal action. It was followed by many legal maneuvers that we continued to cover on HRMorning throughout the year.

5. Can You Fire an Employee on FMLA Leave? 5 Times Courts Said Yes

Terminating an employee during FMLA leave is a legal minefield – but sometimes it’s lawful. A ruling from a federal appeals court clarified when you can move forward – and when it’s likely to blow up in your face.

6. Immigration and Nationality Act: Trump Steps Up Enforcement

HR pros already understood the need to have new hire paperwork, such as Form I-9, in order. But with the spotlight on illegal immigration this year, that became more pressing. One of President Donald Trump’s executive orders, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, sought to improve national security and public safety by enforcing laws such as the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

7. Inclement Weather & the FLSA: 3 Important Court Rulings Provide Insight

Every storm puts the same three questions in HR’s inbox: Are we open today, who has to be here, and how is everyone getting paid? Several snow day lawsuits are a reminder to check that your inclement weather policies align with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

8. USCIS Revises Form I-9: Here Are the Changes You’ll See

In April 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released an updated version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Shortly thereafter, E-Verify and E-Verify+, which also fall under the purview of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), underwent minor changes as well. Here are the details.

9. New Executive Orders: What HR Should Know for Trump 2.0

As expected, President Donald Trump began his second term by issuing a slew of executive orders on Day One — and he has issued several more since then. The Trump Administration’s executive orders spanned several industries and cut across federal agencies, so there’s been a bit of overlap between categories. We’ve kept a running and updated list of the executive orders that HR professionals need to know about.

10. Trump’s EEOC Changes Explained: What HR Leaders Need to Know

President Trump made significant changes to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) when he returned to the White House. Here’s what happened – and what it means for HR.