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"…
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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…
Time to update your systems: SSA has announced the 2026 Social Security taxable wage base. Next year’s number will increase to $184,500 – that’s $8,400 more than the current amount of $176,100. So, the official projection released earlier this year…
A $900,000 settlement in Washington shows how easily employers can stumble on pay transparency compliance when job postings lack required pay ranges. The Washington case centers on Domino’s franchisees accused of leaving pay range details out of job postings, an…
Is your company a joint employer, subject to trickier overtime compliance issues? If you don't ask that question, employees might do it for you. Case in point: An employee recently contacted the Department of Labor (DOL), asking for guidance on…
When it comes to nursing rights at work, a Pennsylvania court just sent a clear message: Mishandling accommodation requests for pumping breaks can create serious liability for employers. In 2021, Madison Weaver was working as a customer service agent for…
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is suing to block the Trump administration’s new $100,000 fee on H-1B visas, arguing it would drive up labor costs and limit access to global talent. For most employers, it’s an unbudgeted expense – a…
Pay transparency laws typically require employers to disclose salary and other relevant information in their job postings. But what if an applicant doesn’t really want the job – and is just testing you and hoping to see you in court…
An employee who says his employer wrongfully withheld overtime payments has recovered about $3,700 for the alleged violation so far – but he is fighting to get much more. For HR pros, the case shows that depending on state law,…
