States have enacted various employment-related laws that took effect in 2026. These laws cover various topics such as gig worker and whistleblower protections, employment contracts, data privacy, and workplace and pay transparency. This post includes a survey of some of the more notable laws that are now in place but does not include all such
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Major Legal Changes for Employers and Human Resources Departments in 2025
Employers and Human Resources (HR) departments have seen major changes in employment law throughout 2025. These rapid changes underscore the need for employers and HR professionals to stay ahead and adapt to them as swiftly as they develop.
Executive Orders
President Donald Trump issued more than 200 executive orders (EOs) in 2025, which is more
Blue Cross Advocates for Less Regulation of AI by States
The Big Data and Artificial Intelligence Working Group of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) evaluation tool for use by state insurance regulators. The NAIC represents 33 independent U.S. insurance organizations. The purpose of the tool is to gauge the extent to which insurance companies rely on AI
Mass Amazon Layoffs Attributed to “Culture,” Not Financial Woes or Increased AI Usage
Amazon recently announced 14,000 layoffs, but company executives are not blaming the downsizing on financial performance or the increased use of artificial intelligence (AI). Instead, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy attributed the layoffs to a “mismatch in company culture.”
The CEO’s statement has concerned HR professionals. If HR has erred in hiring as many as 14,000
Episode 5: Driving Business Success Through Smart Compensation Strategy
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Episode Summary:
This episode highlights how in-house legal and HR leaders can work together to align compensation strategies with business objectives, manage compliance, and adapt to an evolving regulatory landscape. David Hall speaks with Mark Beatty, SVP of Global Total Rewards at Paramount, about his career shift
Episode 4: Aligning Sales Strategy with Compliance and Risk Management
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Episode Summary:
This episode highlights how in-house legal and HR leaders can collaborate to navigate compliance, mitigate risk, and support business growth. David Hall speaks with Andrew Suesserman about building tech-enabled insurance solutions, managing compliance in a startup environment, and the importance of partnering with trusted advisors.
DOL Issues Guidelines Concerning Integration of AI Platforms into the Workplace
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued guidelines for employers on principles and best practices for artificial intelligence (AI) and employer well-being. These guidelines build on the Biden administration’s 2023 executive order on AI, which stressed the need to ensure that AI supports and provides worker opportunities rather than harms and expands inequalities. The
The New Overtime Rule: Steps to Take for Employers
The new overtime rule under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is going into effect, and employers must ensure that their workplaces follow it. Although ongoing litigation concerning the rule is likely, employers cannot rely on potential outcomes in court cases to delay implementing the rule.
The increased salary thresholds for overtime exemptions occur in
DOL Issues Guidance on the Use of AI in the Workplace Under Federal Labor Laws
The Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued Field Assistance Bulletin No. 2024-1, entitled “Artificial Intelligence and Automated Systems in the Workplace under the Fair Labor Standards Act and Other Federal Labor Standards.” The bulletin originated from an October 2023 executive order that called for a coordinated federal