A federal jury in Colorado has ordered the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) to pay $11.5 million to a former employee after finding SHRM liable for racial discrimination and retaliation. After the verdict, the key question for HR is…
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Wage bases for 2026 are rolling out. You can ensure you’re accurately withholding for state unemployment insurance (UI) tax. Here's the latest info. While most states with changes have increased their wage bases for UI tax purposes, four states —…
Think it’s OK to agree with other employers not to recruit their employees if they won’t go after yours? Think again. That kind of arrangement can get you into some legal trouble. Just ask a group of asset and wealth…
With winter coming, 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? Recent snow day lawsuits are a reminder to check that your inclement…
A new ruling in a case from Alabama provides valuable insight for HR pros on the requirements of the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In the ruling, a federal appeals court revived a former FedEx employee’s claim that the…
Thinking about adding tips and overtime compensation to box 14 of Form W-2 for TY 2025? Two recent IRS notices have provided insight. The IRS issued its latest notice covering the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) on November 21,…
Misclassification is front and center again after Minnesota’s attorney general secured an $800K settlement over tightly controlled delivery work that looked more like employment than independent contracting. Every time managers lean on "1099s" who have set shifts, must follow company…
How far can HR go to regulate employee messages on work uniforms? A new federal appeals court decision on a Black Lives Matter (BLM) controversy provides valuable guidance. The case began after employees at a Minnesota Home Depot displayed "BLM"…
State regulators in California have imposed a substantial misclassification penalty on a global employer. It's yet another reminder for HR pros: Treating workers as independent contractors when they should be classified as employees can be a very expensive mistake. States…
The IRS recently announced changes to retirement plan numbers for next year, putting your year-end prep in high gear. The 401(k) plan salary deferral limit will bump up to $24,500 (currently $23,500). How about the salary deferral limit for 403(b)…
Most HR leaders know that rejecting a promotion candidate solely because of age is unlawful age discrimination. But a new federal court ruling warns that even choosing a younger candidate without posting the job can raise the same legal risks.…
This wage claim shows how everyday workplace routines like security checks can turn into multimillion-dollar liabilities. Retail giant Target has agreed to pay $4.6 million to settle charges that it violated New Jersey law by failing to pay warehouse workers…
Workplace investigations are among HR’s most difficult tasks, especially when harassment allegations are involved. Yet one serious risk often goes unnoticed: The risk of a defamation claim from the accused employee. A decision from a federal court in Ohio offers…
Heads up, HR pros: Misclassifying workers as independent contractors when they are really employees can end up being an expensive mistake. For the second time in a matter of months, a state attorney general’s office has recovered millions in a…
With Election Day approaching, more employees are asking about voting leave, political talk, and what’s acceptable to share at work. For HR teams, balancing legal requirements with a respectful, focused environment can be a challenge. But proactive communication and clear…
COVID may feel like a thing of the past, but its legal fallout continues. A Pennsylvania school worker’s religious accommodation claim from the pandemic years just failed in court -- a reminder that these disputes are still playing out. Religious…
