Tag: HR professionals

EntertainHR: Knives Out: The Mystery of the Independent Contractor 

Many of you are likely familiar with the popular whodunnit movie franchise, Knives Out. The latest film in the series, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, released on November 26, 2025. It is a spectacular mystery filled with action and laughs. It also made me ponder one of the ever-present “mysteries” in the modern workplace, independent contractors.  The Knives […]

4th Circuit Decision Highlights WARN Act Risks for Broader Corporate Families

Since the late 1980s, employers conducting large layoffs have had to ensure compliance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act. While doing the calculus to determine whether there are WARN notice obligations may be straightforward, typically, complications can arise when the employer is one of several entities in a group of related companies. […]

HIPAA

Beyond HIPAA: Navigating the ‘More Stringent’ Standard

In light of the February 16, 2026, deadline for covered entities to update their notice of privacy practices (NPP), covered entities should consider “more stringent” state laws that may apply to these updated forms and require compliance. The federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy rule sets the floor for privacy protections and […]

Be Prepared for ICE: What to Do When ICE Visits Your Workplace

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is now the highest-funded law enforcement agency in the U.S. government. With the increased funding, the Trump administration has more than doubled the number of ICE officers and agents. As a result, ICE raids and I-9 audits are increasing in frequency. ICE raids and I-9 audits often cause anxiety and […]

EEOC

EEOC Rescinds Harassment Guidance

On January 22, 2026, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) voted 2-to-1 to rescind the harassment guidance issued under the Biden administration. The EEOC submitted the rescission as final to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for its approval on December 29, 2025, without public notice and comment. Harassment Guidance Issued in 2024 On April […]

Here’s What You Need to Know About HIPAA’s February 2026 Compliance Deadline

Updates to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) notice of privacy practices (NPP) are required by February 16, 2026. Below is an overview of what changes are required and how health plan sponsors can comply. Background HIPAA requires covered entities, including group health plans, to maintain and distribute NPPs that outline how a […]

Here’s Your Practical Guide on How and When to Use NDAs

As businesses grow, owners may increasingly rely on key employees and HR professionals to manage functions owners don’t directly oversee. Key employees and HR professionals are typically those employees who have access to important, confidential business information. These individuals often gain access to confidential operational details, employee information, and other sensitive data. A common question […]

Supreme Court Resolves Circuit Split in Reverse Discrimination Cases

In Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a rare unanimous employment opinion, held that placing an additional evidentiary burden on majority group plaintiffs was inconsistent with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Supreme Court precedent. In Ames, the Court examined whether, in order to establish […]

3 Takeaways With Ben Eubanks on Research & AI

The workplace is changing fast – new skills, new tech, new expectations. Turnover is up, expectations are changing, and AI is transforming roles faster than teams can adapt. HR leaders need fresh strategies to keep employees engaged, connected, and thriving. Few understand the AI landscape in HR like Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer of Lighthouse […]

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Verbs in Communication

Words matter, and they matter a lot. As Mark Twain purportedly once said, “The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between a lightning bolt and a lightning bug.” So, I read with interest a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) by @Simons, whose name is Simon Ingari, a […]