A California roofing and painting contractor will pay more than $320,000 after federal investigators found overtime violations tied to off-the-clock work that was never counted as paid time. An investigation by the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division found Howard and…
The great job freeze of 2025 is starting to thaw – and January turnover risks are rising. HR has a short window before employees start job hunting. Many employees stayed put, not because they were satisfied, but because ongoing layoffs…
Many HR teams are facing a new kind of benefits headache: pharmacy closures that drive up claims and absences. When refills get delayed or workers have to drive farther for basic medications, health conditions that were once stable begin to…
The IRS has revised Form W-4 for 2026, making the newly revised form available to employers during mid-December 2025. The updated form incorporates several of the income tax provisions contained in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), and it…
HR teams using AI in hiring and other employment decisions are caught in the middle of a federal-state power struggle over regulation. On Dec. 11, President Trump added to his executive orders, signing one that aims to block state AI…
Health savings account (HSA) adoption is climbing fastest among Gen Z and Millennials, according to a new national survey from HealthEquity – a signal that younger employees are rethinking how they prepare for rising healthcare costs in 2026. But while more…
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…
Every winter 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 weather policies…
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.…
