Tag: HR

State Leave Laws Continue to Expand in 2026: What Multistate Employers Should Know

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 […]

HRDA Frankly Speaking: Why the C-Suite is Trading HR Jargon for Strategy

The profile of the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) is undergoing a radical transformation. According to the Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) Q3 2025 Index, the “traditional” path to the top is being rewritten. The data reveals a striking shift: 61% of new CHRO appointments are first-timers, and an impressive 77% of those leaders were promoted from within. But they […]

Navigating California’s Pay Equity Enforcement Act: What Employers Need to Know

California has long been a leader in workplace equity, but the recent passage of S.B. 642—the Pay Equity Enforcement Act (“Act”)—marks a significant turning point for employers and employees alike. Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 8, 2025, the Act went into effect January 1, 2026. It introduces new requirements for pay […]

AI is Changing Employee Complaints and Requests—Here’s How to Respond

Artificial intelligence (AI) use is now pervasive, and the era of AI-generated employee communication has arrived. Employers are increasingly encountering emails and letters that feel a little too polished, unusually structured, or strangely impersonal, not to mention completely different from any other communication they’ve ever received from employees. Many employees are turning to AI tools […]

Beyond the AI Hype: 6 Capability Shifts Defining Workplace Success in 2026 

As we enter 2026, the gap between the speed of work and the speed of learning has reached a breaking point. For HR professionals, the challenge is no longer just “keeping up”; it is about redesigning capability to match the messy, high-velocity realities of daily work rather than clinging to outdated leadership models.  After spending […]

Faces of HR: How Patti Huska Navigates Global Change at Amex GBT

In the world of global travel and technology, staying ahead requires more than just good software—it requires a “people-first” heartbeat. As the Chief People Officer at American Express Global Business Travel (Amex GBT), Patti Huska is that heartbeat. Overseeing a massive, 26,000-strong workforce across more than 40 countries, Huska doesn’t just manage HR; she architects a culture of resilience. […]

Protected Concerted Activity: Navigating the Rise of Employee Activism

From pay transparency to remote work, employees are increasingly vocal about working conditions both in the office and online. The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) protects employees—union and nonunion alike—when they engage in concerted activity to address terms and conditions of employment. Employers can’t discharge, discipline, or threaten employees for engaging in protected concerted activity […]

EntertainHR: Flag on the Play: Power Dynamics and Workplace Romance  

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 […]

The Strategic Partner Surge: Why CHRO Appointments Skyrocketed in 2025

The world of Human Resources (HR) saw a massive resurgence in leadership activity in 2025. According to the Russell Reynolds Associates (RRA) Q3 2025 CHRO Turnover Index, global CHRO appointments jumped to 127 in the first three quarters of the year—a significant leap from the 94 recorded during the same period in the year prior. This […]

No Peace in Quiet: What to Consider as New Lawsuits Challenge Voluntary Benefits

In a new wave of lawsuits filed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), four employers were sued during the recent holiday season for allegedly breaching ERISA fiduciary duties regarding their voluntary benefits insurance offerings. The voluntary benefits at issue are accident insurance, critical illness insurance, cancer insurance, and hospital indemnity insurance. […]