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EEOC Provides Guidance on Telework as a Reasonable Accommodation

In February 2026, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued guidance titled “Frequently Asked Questions from the Federal Sector about Telework Accommodations for Disabilities.” Although it’s targeted toward federal agencies, the guidance draws on standards also relevant to private employers covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Alternative Reasonable Accommodations The ADA entitles qualified […]

Faces of HR: Why Linda Nedelcoff is Redefining HR as a Strategy Powerhouse

Linda Nedelcoff started her career in the world of accounting, a foundation that gave her a sharp eye for data, discipline, and the cold, hard reality of how decisions impact business outcomes. But while she understood how numbers showed up on a balance sheet, she became increasingly fascinated by what happened when they didn’t—and the human reasons […]

Garnishments: Understanding Orders to Withhold Wages

During tax season, some people may be excited by the prospect of receiving refund checks from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or their state’s respective Department of Revenue. For some, those expected payouts may never materialize if there are orders allowing that money to be surrendered to repay things like back taxes or owed child […]

HR Query: Why Your AI Strategy is Winning the C-Suite but Losing the Workforce

New data from Workday reveals a startling disconnect: while leadership is cheering over newfound efficiency, nearly 40% of workers feel AI hasn’t saved them a single minute. Even worse, 70% of employees report feeling anxious or overwhelmed by the technology, compared to less than 30% of executives. So, why is the adoption stalling? According to […]

New Employee Benefits Developments for New York Employers

Employers operating in New York face several new employee benefits requirements that require attention. Also, recent developments and litigation trends are increasing compliance and fiduciary risk. Required for 2026—New York State Law On October 8, 2025, New York State launched the New York State Secure Choice Savings Program (the “Program”). The Program is designed to […]

Court’s Ruling Offers Cautionary Tale for Clients Using Generative AI

When a party communicates with a publicly available AI platform in connection with a legal dispute, are the party’s communications protected by the attorney-client privilege or work product doctrine? In one of the earliest decisions on this issue, Judge Jed S. Rakoff—an influential judge in the Southern District of New York—held that such communications were […]

The Org Chart Was Never Supposed to Last Forever

Most HR leaders know AI is coming. The ones who are moving carefully, piloting thoughtfully, building the business case are doing the right thing by most conventional measures. And a year from now, many of them will find themselves explaining to leadership why adoption is low and why employee experience hasn’t meaningfully changed. The problem […]

HRDA Frankly Speaking: Reading the Data

Action plans are only as good as the system that supports them. After the survey closes and priorities are set, managers are often expected to deliver results without the structures, skills, or motivation needed to succeed. So, what can HR professionals do to help managers actually function? We asked upcoming SPARK HR speaker, I/O psychologist, […]

Pendulum Swings Again: DOL’s Proposed Rule on Independent Contractors

The legal framework governing worker classification in the United States has undergone significant turbulence over the past five years, leaving businesses to navigate a seemingly ever-changing regulatory environment. Most recently, on February 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a notice of proposed rulemaking that would alter the analysis for determining whether a […]

HR Leadership: The Era of Responsible Influence  

HR executives have entered new territory.  The function is no longer viewed as a support operation focused on policies, processes, or head count alone. HR leaders are now expected to shape outcomes, business outcomes, mission outcomes, and human outcomes, often at the same time and under heightened scrutiny.   That shift is reflected in how CEOs think about the role. A growing majority now […]