Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
The new year, as always, brings with it new developments in labor and employment law. Likewise, the ever-growing labyrinth of state and local paid leave laws, including paid sick leave and family and medical leave laws, continues to develop in 2026. Some states have expanded their existing leave provisions, while others are enacting wholly new […]
Michigan football recently made headlines after the university terminated its head football coach following an internal investigation that revealed “credible evidence” of an inappropriate relationship between the former coach and a staff member. The university later affirmed its “zero tolerance” policy for such behavior. The decision and resulting headlines underscore the legal and reputational consequences that can arise when workplace relationships involve unequal power […]
When budgets tighten—whether because of a federal government shutdown, grant cuts, manufacturing slowdowns, or a dip in tourism—some employers face the difficult decision to reduce staff. If layoffs are on the table, approach them with empathy, clarity, and legal diligence. Key considerations Consider these factors in connection with potential layoffs: Confirm layoffs are a last […]
Fifteen years after the Affordable Care Act (ACA) became law, noncompliance with the employer mandate is no longer a gamble—it’s a guaranteed financial hit. Paying Internal Revenue Service (IRS) penalties can cost six figures annually, with no tax benefit. Providing affordable health insurance coverage not only saves money after deductions but also strengthens your workforce. […]
The Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced the return of the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program. PAID is a voluntary compliance initiative that helps employers resolve inadvertent violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)—such as unpaid overtime or minimum wage—without litigation or civil monetary penalties. This announcement extended the reach of PAID to […]
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law a nearly 900-page bill that includes several provisions that will affect private-sector employers, including increased tax deductions, changes to Medicare eligibility requirements, and increased challenges to immigration compliance. Bonus Depreciation and IRC Section 179 Expense Limit The new bill—formally entitled, “An Act to provide for the […]
In the past, employees recording audio or images in the workplace might resort to the use of a bulky tape recorder, a hidden “wire,” camera, or other device secured in a purse, on their person, or even a hard hat. Now that smart phones with professional-grade audio and video capabilities are an integral part of […]
As many readers are certainly aware, President Donald Trump has resumed and intensified immigration enforcement efforts. In the most recent wave of action, the president issued an Executive Order (EO) directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to publish a list of all sanctuary jurisdictions. DHS recently released its list, which includes states, cities, and […]
Q: Can a pregnant employee start her 14 weeks of Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave before delivery, and if so, will this shorten her amount of postpartum leave? The FMLA guarantees 12 weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period. For pregnant employees taking leave to bond with their newborn child, this period […]
The Paperwork Burden Reduction Act (PBRA) and the Employer Reporting Improvement Act (ERIA) will provide employers, especially small business owners, greater ease in complying with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting requirements and relief from potential inconsistent practices of the IRS. Reducing the Burden Plan sponsors of group health plans with more than 50 full-time […]