Employer overlooking 2026 compliance changes in wage laws, payroll, and ACA requirements

The Compliance Reset: New Wage Laws, Tax Tables, and ACA Thresholds Every Employer Must Act On in 2026

Compliance deadlines don’t negotiate.

The new year arrives whether your payroll system is ready or not. Federal tax withholding tables change. State minimum wages increase. The ACA affordability threshold jumps nearly a whole percentage point. Retirement contribution limits climb again.

And if your systems aren’t updated at the top of the year, you’re not just behind; you risk violating federal and state requirements, which could lead to penalties and reputational damage.

Most employers know compliance matters. What they underestimate is how much changes at once, how quickly deadlines arrive, and how expensive mistakes become when audits start.

The employers who thrive in 2026 are those who recognize the significance of these changes, proactively map out every step, and confirm compliance early. This approach instills confidence and a sense of control in the audience. Understanding 2026 wage law updates and adapting quickly separates prepared businesses from those scrambling to catch up.

In our last blog, we introduced the major shifts employers need to prepare for. Now, we’re going to dig deeper… breaking down exactly what’s changing and what you need to do about it, so you can move forward with confidence and stay ahead of risk. 

Specifically, let’s look at:

  • Federal tax withholding changes that require payroll adjustments
  • State and local wage law updates that may impact compliance
  • ACA affordability and reporting requirements for the year ahead

Federal Tax Withholding Changes You Can’t Ignore

The IRS released Publication 15-T for 2026, and the updates aren’t optional footnotes. They stem from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which permanently extended tax rates from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and introduced two new above-the-line deductions that directly affect payroll processing.

Here’s what’s new:

Employees can now deduct up to $25,000 for qualified tips paid to them during the year. That’s not pocket change for restaurant servers, bartenders, and hospitality workers. It’s a substantial tax break that reduces their taxable income before withholding is calculated.

There’s also a deduction for qualified overtime compensation: up to $12,500 for single filers and $25,000 for married couples filing jointly. If you’ve got hourly employees pulling overtime, this matters.

The catch? These deductions only help employees who know about them and update their W-4 forms to account for them. If your payroll system isn’t processing the new W-4 worksheets correctly, employees lose the benefit until they file their taxes. That means smaller paychecks now and bigger refunds later.

The payroll provider should have already integrated these changes. If they haven’t confirmed it in writing, ask them to. Ensuring your system is updated now prevents compliance issues later. 

And here’s the detail most employers miss: if employees earned more than $150,000 from you in 2025, their catch-up contributions to 401(k) plans must now be Roth contributions starting in 2026. That’s a SECURE 2.0 provision that changes how high earners fund retirement, and it requires system updates your provider may or may not have automated.

The IRS doesn’t care if your vendor was slow. You’re responsible for compliance regardless. Managing payroll tax changes effectively means holding vendors accountable while maintaining your own oversight.

State and Local Wage Law Updates Across the Map

Nineteen states increase their minimum wages on January 1, 2026. Alaska, Florida, and Oregon follow later in the year. If you operate in multiple jurisdictions, maintaining wage compliance across all locations becomes significantly more challenging.

Hawaii sees the largest jump: the minimum wage rises by $2 per hour to $16. Nebraska hits $15 for the first time under a voter-approved plan. Rhode Island raises its minimum wage from $15 to $16. And in places like New York, regional differences apply—$17 in New York City and Long Island, but only $16 upstate.

Then there’s California, where the statewide minimum wage reaches $16.90, but fast food workers at chains with 60+ locations earn at least $20 per hour, and healthcare workers have separate minimums ranging from $19.28 to $25 depending on facility type.

Local jurisdictions add another layer. Denver hits $19.29. Seattle reaches $21.30. West Hollywood climbs to $20.25. And 49 cities and counties nationwide adjust their wage floors, many tied to inflation formulas that recalculate automatically.

If your payroll system applies one standard wage rate across all employees, you’re already out of compliance in states with regional or industry-specific rules.

Here’s the test: can your system automatically apply the correct minimum wage based on where an employee works, which industry they’re in, and whether local ordinances exceed state law? If not, relying on manual overrides risks compliance failures.

Tipped employees complicate things further. Some states allow tip credits. Others don’t. Flagstaff, Arizona, just became the first city to eliminate its subminimum tipped wage; now tipped workers there earn the full $18.35 minimum wage plus tips.

Every jurisdiction handles overtime differently, too. Some mandate daily overtime after eight hours. Others calculate weekly. A few require double-time on Sundays or holidays. If you’re processing payroll manually or with outdated software, errors are inevitable.

Following state labor law updates throughout the year helps employers catch these jurisdiction-specific requirements before they trigger violations. State labor laws don’t just affect hourly workers. Salary thresholds for exempt classification change, too. In states like California, Colorado, Maine, New York, and Washington, the minimum salary required to classify someone as exempt is tied to minimum wage increases.

That means that when the minimum wage increases, your exempt employee salaries may need to be adjusted to maintain their exempt status. Miss that update, and you’re suddenly paying overtime to people you thought were exempt.

ACA Affordability and Reporting Requirements

The Affordable Care Act affordability threshold jumped to 9.96% for 2026, up from 9.02% in 2025. That’s the highest rate since the ACA launched, and it changes benefits math for every Applicable Large Employer. Successfully navigating ACA Compliance in 2026 requires understanding both the threshold changes and their downstream effects on subsidy eligibility.

Here’s what it means: if you offer health coverage, employees can only qualify for marketplace subsidies if your plan fails the affordability test. With the threshold rising, you can require employees to contribute more toward their premiums before they become eligible for subsidies.

For calendar-year plans, the Federal Poverty Line safe harbor allows employee contributions of up to $129.89 per month for self-only coverage. That’s calculated using the 2025 FPL of $15,650, which employers can use for plans starting in early 2026.

But there are three affordability safe harbors, and choosing the right one matters:

The FPL safe harbor is easiest to administer because it’s a flat dollar amount. Every employee pays the same regardless of wages. Simple, clean, defensible in an audit.

The W-2 safe harbor bases affordability on each employee’s actual wages for the year. More precisely, you can’t calculate it until the year ends, which makes it harder to set contribution rates in advance.

The rate-of-pay safe harbor calculates affordability based on hourly wages or monthly salary. It works for employees with consistent pay but breaks down when people get raises, bonuses, or variable hours.

Whichever method you choose, apply it consistently across all employees. Mixing methods trigger audit complications.

The bigger issue? IRS enforcement is accelerating. Letter 226J audits—where the IRS bills you for employer shared responsibility penalties—are ramping up. They’re currently enforcing the 2023 tax years, which means 2024 and 2025 audits are coming soon.

If your Forms 1094-C and 1095-C filings had errors, you’ll hear about it. And the penalties aren’t trivial. The “A Penalty” for failing to offer coverage hits $3,340 per full-time employee (excluding the first 30). The “B Penalty” for providing unaffordable coverage runs $5,010 per employee who gets a subsidy.

For a 100-employee company, a single audit finding can trigger six-figure penalties.

Electronic filing is now mandatory for most ALEs. Paper forms slow processing and increase error rates. If you haven’t migrated to e-filing, make this switch before the March 2026 deadline. 

And don’t forget: the “family glitch” was fixed in 2023. Family members can now qualify for subsidies even if the employee’s coverage is affordable, as long as family coverage itself is unaffordable based on household income. That shifts subsidy eligibility in ways most employers haven’t fully accounted for.

Preparing for HR regulation changes requires understanding not just what changed, but how those changes interact with existing rules to create new compliance requirements.

The Bottom Line

2026 brings substantial compliance changes across federal tax withholding, state wage laws, and ACA affordability thresholds. The work isn’t optional, and the deadlines don’t flex.

Employers who get ahead of these changes—updating systems, training staff, and documenting processes—won’t just avoid penalties. They’ll build infrastructure that makes compliance easier every year.

Those who wait until problems surface will spend 2026 reacting to violations, paying penalties, and rebuilding trust with employees who got caught in the chaos.

The difference between the two isn’t luck. It’s preparation.

Want to stop playing compliance catch-up every January? Contact INFINITI HR to discover how partnering with compliance experts protects your business and frees you to focus on growth instead of regulatory headaches.

Want more on current employment trends?
Check out the recent blog, The Great Reset: The Strategic Employer’s Guide to 2026 Payroll, Benefits, and Compliance Changes, or come back for additional pieces on human resources, payroll, insurance, and benefits.

Gavel with “2026” symbolizing employer compliance guide 2026 for payroll, and benefits regulations

The Great Reset: The Strategic Employer’s Guide to 2026 Payroll, Benefits, and Compliance Changes

January doesn’t have to be chaos.

Most employers treat the first month of the year like an avalanche they can’t control. Tax tables change. Insurance premiums arrive. State wage laws get rewritten overnight. And somehow, everyone’s supposed to update systems, notify employees, and stay compliant while the business keeps running.

But here’s the thing: the employers who thrive in January are the ones who treat the new year as a strategic reset, not a fire drill, helping HR professionals and business owners feel confident and at ease.

2026 brings substantial shifts across payroll, benefits, and compliance. Federal tax withholding got recalculated. The ACA affordability threshold jumped nearly a full percentage point. Retirement contribution limits climbed again. And if you operate in multiple states, wage laws just became more complex.

Smart employers aren’t waiting to figure this out; they’re getting ahead of things now to prepare for a smoother transition. Understanding HR priorities in 2026 means recognizing that these changes aren’t isolated incidents but part of a broader shift in how businesses need to manage their workforce.

Payroll Compliance Updates That Can’t Wait

Let’s start with what hits every single paycheck: federal tax withholding.

The IRS released updated withholding tables for 2026 through Publication 15-T, and they’re not minor tweaks. The changes stem from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which extended individual tax rates and introduced new deductions for qualified tips and overtime compensation. If you’re still running 2025 tables on January 15th, you’re not just behind schedule. You’re violating federal requirements.

Here’s what changes:

Employees who earned tips or overtime can now claim deductions that weren’t available last year. Your payroll system needs to accommodate these adjustments through updated W-4 forms, which means every affected employee should file a new form if they want to benefit immediately rather than wait until tax season.

If your payroll provider hasn’t confirmed they’ve updated to the 2026 tables, that’s your first call this week, as it empowers payroll managers and helps them feel in control, ensuring compliance and avoiding penalties.

State and local wage laws are even messier. Nineteen states are raising minimum wages on January 1, with Hawaii seeing the largest jump at $2 per hour. Nebraska hits $15 for the first time. New York splits rates by region. California maintains separate minimum wage requirements for fast food and healthcare workers.

And that’s just minimum wage. Overtime rules, tip credit regulations, and pay transparency laws all changed in scattered jurisdictions. If you’ve got employees in multiple states, you can’t apply one standard anymore.

Multi-state employers face the most formidable challenge. When someone works remotely from a different state than your headquarters, which wage law applies? What happens when a traveling employee crosses state lines mid-pay period? These aren’t hypothetical questions anymore.

The answer isn’t ‘we’ll figure it out later.’ It’s building systems now that automatically apply the correct wage rates, properly track hours, and maintain documentation, helping compliance officers feel secure and ready for audits.

ACA Thresholds and Benefits Strategy

The Affordable Care Act just got more expensive for some employers and created new planning opportunities for others.

The affordability threshold jumped to 9.96% for 2026, up from 9.02% in 2025. That’s the highest rate since the ACA launched, and it fundamentally changes benefits math for Applicable Large Employers.

Here’s why it matters: if you offer health coverage, employees can’t qualify for marketplace subsidies unless your plan fails the affordability test. With the threshold rising, you can technically require employees to pay more toward their premiums before triggering subsidies. That shifts costs, but it also raises strategic questions.

Do you pass increased costs to employees, or absorb them to stay competitive? If you operate in a tight labor market, holding premiums steady might be worth the investment. If turnover isn’t a concern and margins are thin, you’ve got room to adjust. These decisions reflect broader employee benefits trends in 2026 that force employers to balance cost management with talent retention.

But there’s another angle most employers miss: the affordability of family coverage. The “family glitch” got fixed in 2023, meaning family members can now qualify for subsidies even when the employee’s coverage is affordable. If your family coverage pricing doesn’t account for this, you might be pushing dependents toward the marketplace without realizing it.

That’s not necessarily bad. But it should be intentional, not accidental.

The other big shift? The requirements for Forms 1094-C and 1095-C haven’t changed, but IRS enforcement has. Letter 226J audits are accelerating. If your 2023 filings had errors, you’ll hear about it soon. If your 2024 filings aren’t pristine, you’ll hear about it in 2026.

Understanding how to prepare your business for HR regulatory changes in 2026 is essential, as enforcement is tightening. Recognizing these key regulatory updates will help you stay ahead and avoid penalties. The gap between knowing what changed and implementing updates effectively is where most organizations risk non-compliance.

Electronic filing is now mandatory for most ALEs, starting with a request to identify HR and payroll system owners, clarifying responsibilities, and streamlining compliance efforts. Paper forms trigger delays and mistakes. If you haven’t migrated to e-filing, January is your last chance before the next cycle starts.

Cleaning Up the Administrative Drag

Most compliance problems don’t start with significant policy failures. They begin with small administrative gaps that compound over time.

Outdated W-4 forms are the classic example. Employees filled them out years ago and never updated them. Life changed—marriage, kids, second jobs—but withholding didn’t. Now they’re either getting surprise tax bills or lending the government money interest-free all year.

Your job isn’t to manage their taxes. But it is to give them the information and opportunity to make corrections. A simple email in late December reminding employees to review their W-4s prevents complaints in April.

The same logic applies to benefits elections. If employees are still enrolled in plans that no longer fit their needs, they’re wasting money. Open enrollment fixes that, but only if you communicate clearly what changed. Did premiums increase? Did coverage options shift? Did dependent eligibility rules tighten?

Don’t assume employees read the fine print. They don’t. Your job is to make changes obvious and easy to act on.

Then there’s documentation. When was the last time you audited employee files to confirm I-9s are current, direct deposit authorizations are signed, and emergency contacts are accurate?

Those aren’t just compliance paperwork; they’re your safeguard. Proper documentation ensures confidence during audits or emergencies, reducing stress and uncertainty.

Strategic Compliance Planning Beyond January Deadlines

Here’s what separates reactive employers from strategic ones: reactive employers focus on meeting deadlines. Strategic employers build systems that prevent fires from starting.

Take state labor law changes. While nineteen states changed their minimum wages in January, Alaska, Florida, and Oregon changed theirs mid-year. If your payroll system only accounts for January updates, you’re setting yourself up for violations in July and September.

A comprehensive employer compliance checklist helps you track every jurisdiction where you operate and flag changes before they take effect. That calendar should integrate with your payroll system so adjustments happen automatically, not manually.

Or consider retirement plan administration. The 401(k) contribution limit increased to $24,500 for 2026, with higher catch-up contributions for employees age 50 and older. If your plan documents haven’t been updated and employees aren’t notified, they might miss the opportunity to maximize contributions.

That’s not just a compliance gap. It’s a retention issue. Employees who feel uninformed about benefits leave faster than those who understand what’s available.

The same principle applies to leave policies. Sick leave, parental leave, and FMLA regulations vary wildly by state. Some jurisdictions mandate accruals. Others require upfront grants. A few banks use-it-or-lose-it policies entirely.

Staying current with labor law updates and tracking changes throughout the year prevents the cascading violations that happen when handbooks reference outdated rules. If your handbook still references 2024 rules, you’re advertising violations to anyone who reads it. Keeping pace with HR trends for businesses means proactively, not reactively, updating policies.

Building Systems That Scale With Growth

The employers struggling most in January aren’t necessarily doing anything wrong. They’re just operating at a scale their systems weren’t built for.

When you had 30 employees, tracking payroll changes manually worked fine. With 75 employees across three states, it’s impossible.

When you had one location, benefits administration was straightforward. With remote workers in eight states, it’s a legal minefield.

The solution isn’t working harder. It’s building infrastructure that scales without breaking.

Start with integrated systems. Your payroll, timekeeping, and benefits platforms should talk to each other. Data shouldn’t require manual transfers between systems. Changes made in one place should automatically update everywhere else.

That prevents the classic mistake: updating someone’s salary in payroll but forgetting to adjust their benefits deductions and/or changing their work location without updating which state wage laws apply.

Automation matters too. Compliance checklists shouldn’t live in someone’s head or a shared spreadsheet. They should trigger automatically based on dates, employee counts, and regulatory calendars.

When a new hire starts, does your system automatically generate the correct forms based on their state? When someone’s anniversary hits, do benefits options adjust automatically? When tax deadlines approach, do reminders go out without manual intervention?

If the answer is no, you’re spending time on tasks that software should handle.

Why January is the Perfect Reset Timing

Most businesses treat January 1st like an arbitrary line on the calendar. But there’s a reason so many compliance deadlines cluster in early January.

It’s the moment when federal and state governments expect alignment. Tax tables reset. Wage laws update. Benefit years renew for most employers. If you’re going to overhaul systems, January gives you the cleanest break.

Waiting until March or June means operating under outdated rules while scrambling to catch up. It means retroactive adjustments, employee confusion, and potential penalties for late compliance.

January also offers psychological leverage. Employees expect change at the start of a new year. They’re primed for new policies, updated forms, and fresh communication. Introduce the same modifications in August, and you’ll face more resistance.

Use that momentum. Don’t just meet the minimum requirements. Use January to implement improvements that make the rest of the year easier.

That might mean consolidating vendors, so you’re working with fewer partners. It might mean training managers on new compliance protocols so they can answer employee questions without escalating everything to HR. It might mean upgrading software that’s been barely functional for too long.

Whatever gaps frustrated you in 2025, January is when you fix them.

Making Changes Stick Through Accountability

Here’s where most “new year reset” efforts fail: they start strong and fade by February.

Compliance isn’t a one-time project. It’s an ongoing process that requires consistent attention. The employers who succeed build accountability into their systems so follow-through happens automatically.

That starts with clear ownership. Who’s responsible for monitoring wage law changes in each state? Who’s tracking ACA reporting deadlines? Who’s ensuring retirement plan documents stay current?

If the answer is “everyone” or “HR handles it,” nothing will happen consistently.

Assign specific responsibilities to specific people. Then build check-ins that confirm tasks are completed. A monthly compliance review meeting where each owner reports on their area keeps things visible and on track.

Documentation matters too. When you update a policy or adjust a process, the change should be recorded permanently and not buried in email. Not scribbled in meeting notes and captured in a system where future employees can reference it.

Because here’s the reality: the person who manages compliance today might not be in that role next year. If their knowledge exists only in their head, you lose it when they leave.

The Bottom Line

2026 brings fundamental compliance changes across payroll, benefits, and labor law. The employers who treat January as a strategic reset rather than a fire drill won’t just stay compliant. They’ll build systems that make the entire year easier.

That means updating tax withholding tables before the first 2026 payroll runs. It means reviewing ACA affordability calculations and adjusting benefits pricing accordingly. It means auditing wage rates across every jurisdiction where you operate. And it means building infrastructure that scales as you grow.

The work isn’t optional. But the chaos is.

Ready to make 2026 the year you finally get ahead of HR chaos? Contact INFINITI HR to learn how we help growing businesses build scalable HR systems that actually work.

Want more on current employment trends?
Check out the recent blog, Strategies for Improving Employee Engagement in the Workplace, or come back for additional pieces on human resources, payroll, insurance, and benefits.

employee engagement strategies during onboarding meeting”

Strategies for Improving Employee Engagement in the Workplace

Drowning in HR Tasks? You’re Not the Only Business Owner Wearing Too Many Hats

Hiring, onboarding, keeping people motivated, worrying about who might be eyeing the exits—improving employee engagement in the workplace can feel like a second job stacked on top of your operational worries and tasks. We’ve all had those nights when we’re replaying the onboarding flow at 2 a.m. and wondering where things are slipping. Maybe that sounds obvious. But it isn’t always.

The broader picture isn’t pretty either. A recent Gallup snapshot puts U.S. employee engagement in the workplace at a ten-year low—only 33% of employees say they’re engaged. When engagement drops, we tend to see the same fallout: lagging productivity, rising turnover, and preventable costs that nick the margin quarter after quarter.

There’s some good news. HR tools and practices for employee engagement have moved forward—fast. Done right, they don’t just plug holes; they actually make work better for people. And that, in real terms, shows up in the numbers.

Why Employee Engagement Matters Right Now

Let’s step back for a moment. Disengagement isn’t just a morale issue; it’s an economic one. Research from Archie App estimates disengaged employees drain roughly $8.9 trillion from the global economy every year. A staggering figure, yes—but it tracks with what we see on the ground.

Flip the script and the upside is clear enough: engaged teams are linked to higher employee engagement with 18% higher productivity and 23% greater profitability. Work itself is changing, too. Between hybrid setups, remote positions, and AI and technology advancing at breakneck speed, employees are looking for more than just a paycheck. They want purpose in their work, flexibility in how they do it, and leaders who really inspire them.

And that expectation starts early. A thoughtful onboarding experience—clear expectations, real context, a sense of belonging—usually pays dividends far beyond week one.

How We Tackle Engagement (and Where INFINITI HR Fits in)

We’re not chasing quick fixes. We’re building systems that persist—tech-supported, people-first, and practical under real-world pressure.

  1. Onboarding that lasts longer than a week
    A slide deck and a handshake won’t cut it. We map a plan that spans the first month—often the first quarter—with defined milestones, culture touch points, and manager check-ins. 
  2. Use technology to remove friction—not relationships
    We lean on AI to automate routine questions and steps so managers have more time for actual coaching. A 24/7 HR assistant can answer benefits and time-off questions, nudge people through enrollments, send compliance reminders, and route FAQs before they become tickets. We also like the idea of using bots to run quick “pulse” surveys—short, targeted, and frequent. The result: faster answers, fewer bottlenecks, and more headspace for meaningful conversations. For teams exploring bots or automation, Steady Path Strategies (https://steadypath.ai) offers practical options starting as little as a few hundred bucks a month. 
  3. Personalize the first 90 days
    Small gestures matter. A “learning buddy,” role-specific materials, and a manager welcome that goes beyond logistics. Ensure people feel seen and heard.
  4. Create a 30/60/90 day plan
    Set measurable goals so employees know what success looks like in the first 90 days. No guesswork. Less drift. Better coaching conversations.
  5. Intentional feedback loops
    Establish regular check-ins, make them structured, and have quick and easy protocols to keep new hires from stalling out. Actually—no, let’s rephrase that. They make support the norm, not an exception we scramble to deliver.

Focus on those five, and we’ve found engagement rises and turnover eases—often quietly, then all at once.

Building What’s Next with INFINITI HR

The ground keeps shifting: more digital, more flexible, more human. AI and tailored onboarding aren’t “future state” anymore; they’re table stakes for companies that want to grow without burning people out.

The message for leadership is straightforward: invest in employee engagement in the workplace early, especially at onboarding, and the returns ripple across productivity, retention, and culture. Sometimes in ways we don’t predict on a spreadsheet.

Key Takeaways
• Revisit onboarding—could it be more structured, more personalized, more tech-assisted?
• Put a 30/60/90 plan in place so expectations are explicit.
• Build a steady feedback cadence; small course-corrections beat big rescues.

Actionable Next Steps
If operationalizing all of this feels heavy—that’s understandable. We can audit what you have, prioritize the highest-impact changes, and phase the rest. Outside help is often useful here; it keeps momentum when internal teams are stretched. When we invest in people, we’re investing in the business we say we want to run.

One last thought: disengagement is expensive. Engagement is an asset. Treating it that way changes the decisions we make this quarter.

Want more on current employment trends?
Check out the recent blog, HR Labor Law Compliance Updates – July 2025, or come back for additional pieces on human resources, payroll, insurance, and benefits.

Legal note
This article isn’t legal advice. Employment laws vary by jurisdiction and change over time. Please consult counsel before updating policies.

virginia labor law compliance 2025

HR Labor Law Compliance Updates – July 2025

At INFINITI HR, we help small businesses stay compliant with evolving state labor laws. This July 2025 employment law changes post outlines new regulations impacting Virginia employers. Stay informed and protect your business from legal risk.

Please note: This blog is for informational purposes only. Employers should consult with their dedicated HR consultant or legal counsel to address specific requirements for their organization. Find past compliance updates and HR insights on our website. 

VIRGINIA

New Non-Compete Law for Low-Wage and Non-Exempt Employees

SSince 2020, Virginia non-compete law has banned such clauses for “low-wage workers”. Effective 7/1/2025, “low-wage” has been increased to $76,081 annually. In addition, non-competes will not be allowed for all non-exempt employees. Agreements entered into prior to 7/1/2025 will remain valid.

“Covenant not to compete” means a “covenant or agreement between an employer and employee that restrains, prohibits, or otherwise restricts an individual’s ability, following the termination of the individual’s employment, to compete with their former employer.” 

Employers must ensure their onboarding practices exclude non-agreements for low-wage workers and/or non-exempt employees. In addition, employers are required to display a copy of the law where they have other state and federal labor law postings. 

Workplace Violence Reporting Requirements for Healthcare Employers – Effective July 1, 2025 

Effective 7/1/2025, healthcare employers in Virginia must implement a new reporting system that tracks incidents of workplace violence, notify all employees of the system, and provide guidelines on when and how to report incidents of workplace violence. Employers must also implement a policy prohibiting discrimination or retaliation against employees for reporting workplace violence incidents, per Virginia workplace violence reporting requirements.

Interested in other current employment trends? Click the link to view the recent blog: State Labor Law Updates: What Employers Need to Know June 2025 or check back for more on HR compliance, human resources, payroll, insurance, and benefits.

This article does not constitute legal advice, and there are subtle variations in employment law as it pertains to these topics, depending on where your business operates. It is strongly suggested that you seek consultation or legal counsel before making decisions about policies.

state labor law updates

State Labor Law Updates: What Employers Need to Know June 2025

At INFINITI HR, we help small businesses stay compliant with evolving state labor laws. This June 2025 update outlines new employment regulations in Colorado, Nevada, Maryland, and more, including privacy act, power act, pay transparency, etc. Stay informed and protect your business from legal risk.

Please note: This blog is for informational purposes only. Employers should consult with their dedicated HR consultant or legal counsel to address specific requirements for their organization. Find past compliance updates and HR insights on our website

Key Topics This Month:

  • Colorado: Privacy Act
  • Maryland: Service Member Definition and Paid Family Leave
  • Nevada: Employee Saving Trust IRA
  • Ohio: Pay Transparency and Compensation History
  • Pennsylvania: Power Act

COLORADO

COLORADO PRIVACY ACT (STARTS JULY 1, 2025)

Effective July 1, 2025, employers must obtain employee or applicant consent before collecting or processing biometric data. Consent will be required from Colorado employees for the following if biometric data is used and stored:

  • Access to secure locations or systems
  • Time Keeping / Time Clock use
  • Job-specific safety purposes
  • Background checks or ID requirements for applicants
  • For more detailed information, click here.

What Employers Should Do in Colorado:

Audit your use of biometric data to determine if your terms of use, data protection, and data storage procedures are compliant. Consider if you are in need of consent forms for current and future use of biometric data.

MARYLAND

June 2025 labor laws

MARYLAND CHANGES TO SERVICE MEMBER DEFINITION – EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2025

Beginning October 1, 2025, employment protections for military members will include all uniformed services and reserves. The revised definition of a service member is anyone serving in the U. S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, Coast Guard, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Public Health Service.

MARYLAND PAID FAMILY LEAVE DELAY TO 2027

Maryland pushed back implementation of its paid family leave program (FAMLI) until 2027, when tax deductions will begin. Benefits will be available to all employees in Maryland in 2028, up to 12 weeks of paid family leave per year.

In 2023, Nevada enacted the Nevada Employee Savings Trust program (NEST) to establish a state-run payroll deduction IRA program for private sector employees who do not have access to employer-sponsored retirement plans.

NEVADA

NEVADA NEST IRA EMPLOYER REQUIREMENT– EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025

All qualified Nevada businesses are required to facilitate NEST if they:

  • have been in business for 36 or more months;
  • have six or more employees; and
  • do not offer a tax-favored retirement plan to its employees at any time within the current calendar year or previous three calendar years.

A tax-favored retirement plan is a retirement plan that’s tax qualified and satisfies the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a), 401(k), 403(a), 403(b), 408(k), or 408(p).

Please note, participating employers will not be required to contribute to employee plans.

Employees will be required to participate and will be automatically enrolled if they:

  • have been employed for at least 120 days; and
  • are 18 years or older.

Employees will be able to opt-out of the program at any time without any penalty.

The NEST Program will reach out to eligible businesses to facilitate registration and provide resources to help inform employees about the program.

OHIO

CLEVELAND PAY TRANSPARENCY & HISTORY BAN – EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 27, 2025

Effective October 27, 2025, employers with 15 or more employees working in Cleveland, Ohio will be required to comply with the city’s new Pay Transparency and Compensation History Law. The new law will require employers to include salary ranges and pay scales in any notification, job posting, or advertisement for any open position. The new law also prohibits employers from screening and/or asking applicants about their compensation and benefits history. In addition, employers may not refuse to hire or retaliate against an applicant who refuses to disclose their compensation history.

PENNSYLVANIA

employer compliance state laws

PHILADELPHIA POWER ACT – EFFECTIVE MAY 27, 2025

The Philadelphia Power Act was signed into law on May 27, 2025 and went into effect immediately.  The Power Act has added additional domestic worker protections regarding wages, paid sick leave, and retaliation for workplace complaints.

POWER ACT – KEY DOMESTIC WORKER PROTECTIONS

Enhanced Paid Sick Leave Penalties – The Power Act permits civil penalties for covered employers who violate the city’s state sick leave law. Employers must keep a detailed with up-to-date records of the employee’s sick time.

Expanded Wage Theft Protections – Philadelphia’s Department of Labor (DOL) has the authority to investigate complaints of wage theft, including violations of state and federal laws and allows the DOL to issue orders for employers to pay back wages and penalties.

Expanded Domestic Worker Protections – Under the city’s Domestic Worker Bill of Rights, domestic workers are entitled to paid meal breaks and the accrual of paid sick time. Employers are required to provide written contracts outlining specific terms of the domestic workers’ employment and terminations. In addition, employers must provide a notice of rights and severance requirements.

Interested in other current employment trends? Click the link to view the recent blog: Why 2025 Business Compliance is More Important Than Ever or check back for more on human resources, payroll, insurance, and benefits.

This article does not constitute legal advice, and there are subtle variations in employment law as it pertains to these topics, depending on where your business operates. It is strongly suggested that you seek consultation or legal counsel before making decisions about policies.

Corporate Compliance Checklist

Why 2025 Business Compliance is More Important Than Ever

Why 2025 Business Compliance is More Important Than Ever

You sit down to focus — and end up knee-deep in forms and your business compliance checklist for 2025. The actual business of running a business got swallowed by regulations. Compliance has become a full-time job on its own, hasn’t it? Especially with the yearly compliance checklist getting longer every year. It is shaping up to be the backbone of how we operate. And keeping up with the ever-shifting sands of HR regulations while trying to, you know, actually run a company? It’s enough to make anyone’s head spin.

We are not just talking about avoiding fines here. This is about building a business that can weather the storms ahead. Because, the landscape is changing faster than we can blink. Remote work, AI, data-driven everything… it is a lot. And for business owners? Well, we are the ones trying to keep all these plates spinning without dropping a single one.

Key Compliance Trends for 2025

Here is the thing about compliance in 2025: it’s not just a defensive play anymore. We’re looking at it as a cornerstone of building businesses that last. It’s about creating workplaces that people really want to be part of, and using a compliance planning 2025 approach to get there, even if that workplace is spread across a dozen different home offices. Staying compliant needs to be a strategic approach rather than a check-the-box exercise.

We’ve been digging into this, and what we’ve found is pretty eye-opening. The folks over at Paycom have laid out some trends that are reshaping how we think about HR and compliance. AI isn’t just coming; it’s here. Remote work isn’t a trend; it’s the new normal. And data? It’s driving everything we do in HR now.

But here is where it gets real: new laws are popping up left and right. Cybersecurity, employment policies, onboarding — you name it. And with teams scattered to the four winds thanks to remote work, keeping everyone on the same page (and on the right side of the law) is a big challenge. Time off and leave laws are a challenge.

We’re not trying to scare anyone, but the numbers don’t lie. Secureframe reports that companies playing fast and loose with compliance are looking at average breach costs of $5.05 million. That is not pocket change. No wonder 83% of the decision-makers out there are putting compliance front and center in their planning.

How to Build a Smart 2025 Compliance Strategy

So, what is a business leader to do in this brave new world? This is where INFINITI HR comes into the picture. We’re not just another vendor to add to your list. We’re talking about a partner that gets it — whether you’re running a mom-and-pop shop or steering a corporate behemoth.

 INFINITI HR’s All-in-One Compliance Framework

At INFINITI HR, we help you to see and understand the big picture. Our team of experts? They’re not just good with paperwork. They’re navigators, helping you chart a course through the maze of labor laws — no matter how many states you’re operating in.

We get it. If you’re running a business that spans multiple states, compliance can feel like a never-ending game of whack-a-mole. That’s why we’ve tailored our approach to tackle multi-state operations head-on. It’s not just about being compliant; it’s about being efficiently compliant. Read our recent May blog on Multi-State Employers: New Rules Just Dropped.

Seamless Integration: Compliance Technology That Works

Let’s talk tech for a second. We know you’re juggling a dozen different platforms just to keep the lights on, especially when managing your yearly compliance checklist. That’s why we’ve made sure our solutions play nice with your existing systems. Accurate and timely tax handling to ensure compliance? Check. Streamlined time tracking? You bet. Seamless integration of workers’ compensation premiums with payroll, using a pay-as-you-go model. Uh huh. We even have a mobile app where managers and admins can approve time off, update employee info, and get compliance alerts for onboarding tasks, certifications, and more. Employees can access paystubs in real-time and get tax info. And while INFINITI HR integrates with major payroll, timekeeping, and benefits platforms, it is also customized to our customer’s operational needs. We’re all about freeing you up to focus on what really matters — growing your business.

Strategic Partnerships for Efficient Compliance

Here’s a stat that caught our eye: 47% of corporate risk professionals are now laser-focused on easing the burden of legal compliance. If you’re not tapping into partnerships to lighten that load, you’re missing out on a major advantage.

With INFINITI HR, You’re not just getting advice, you’re getting support tailored to your corporate compliance checklist needs.. You’re getting a partner who’s in the trenches with you, handling the nitty-gritty of compliance so you can focus on the big picture. And let’s talk about AI and automation for a second. Nearly half of risk pros see these as game-changers for compliance efficiency. Guess what? We’re already there, building these technologies into everything we do.

Your Compliance Roadmap for 2025 and Beyond

Knowledge is power, right? Especially when it comes to managing your business compliance checklist for 2025. But who has time to sift through endless legal jargon? That is where our Resource Hub comes in. It’s a one-stop shop for staying on top of trends and legal requirements. Because being proactive about compliance using a yearly compliance checklist is how you turn potential headaches into opportunities.

Here is what we want you to take away from all this:

  1. Stay ahead of the game. The “Future of Work” isn’t some far-off concept — it’s happening now. Be ready.
  2. Look for comprehensive solutions. INFINITI HR offers a full suite of risk management services designed to take the sting out of compliance management.
  3. Never stop learning. Use resources like our hub to stay informed. Knowledge really is power when it comes to navigating regulatory changes.

At the end of the day, compliance doesn’t have to be the boogeyman of your business operations. With the right partner and approach, it can actually become a catalyst for growth and efficiency. As you’re mapping out your strategy for the years ahead, think about how these insights could reshape your approach to compliance. It might just be the game-changer your business needs.

Interested in other current employment trends? Click the link to view the recent blog: Boost Productivity with Effective Employee Wellness Programs or check back for more on human resources, payroll, insurance, and benefits.

This article does not constitute legal advice, and there are subtle variations in employment law as it pertains to these topics, depending on where your business operates. It is strongly suggested that you seek consultation or legal counsel before making decisions about policies.



happy employees, healthy workplace

Boost Productivity with Effective Employee Wellness Programs

How to Reduce Workplace Stress with Tailored HR Wellness Programs

This month we’re focusing on mental well-being. Picture this: You walk into work feeling refreshed, focused, and ready to tackle the day. Sounds nice, right? Now compare that to dragging yourself in, already stressed about your mile-long to-do list and dreading the next eight hours. As a business leader, which scenario do you want for your team?

If you picked the first one (and we hope you did!), you’re in luck. Employee wellness programs aren’t just some feel-good fluff – they are a secret weapon for boosting productivity and creating a workplace people actually want to be part of. And no, we’re not talking about slapping a “Wellness Wednesday” sticker on the vending machine, we’re talking about real HR wellness strategies that make a measurable impact.

So, let’s dive into why these programs matter now more than ever, and how you can actually make them work for your business.

Why Employee Wellness Consulting Is a Growing Business Priority

The working world is changing faster than most of us can keep up with. Remember when “working from home” meant you were probably playing hooky? Yeah, those days are long gone.

Here’s a wild stat for you: A recent study shows 91% of companies are investing more in employee mental health programs and workplace wellness consulting. That’s not pocket change – it is a massive shift in how businesses are approaching employee well-being.

And it’s not just about being nice (though that doesn’t hurt). Study after study shows that happy, healthy employees are more engaged and productive. It’s pretty simple math: Invest in your people, and they’ll invest right back into your business.

INFINITI HR’s Customized HR Wellness Support for Businesses

Now, we know what you’re thinking. “Great, another thing I have to figure out how to implement.” But here is where a trusted HR wellness partner like INFINITI HR comes in clutch. We are not just pushing the same old cookie-cutter wellness programs. We are a customizable PEO that is all about tailoring solutions that actually fit your company and your people. Our experienced HR consultants and benefits specialists get to know your company well. We offer guidance on culture development, performance management, corporate wellness, and employee engagement. While we don’t do these things for you, we DO provide you with support and connect you with a trusted network of preferred vendors to support seamless implementation and ongoing success.

We understand that workplace wellness isn’t just about yoga classes. It’s about creating an employee support program that reduces stress and improves engagement across your entire team. It is about creating a work environment where people can thrive. We are talking about flexible schedules, opportunities to learn and grow, and even help with the scary stuff like finances. We dig into the nitty-gritty of what causes stress at work and tackle it head-on.

How to Design an Effective HR Wellness Program for Your Team

Alright, so you are into the idea. But how do you make it happen? Here are some proven winners:

  1. Flex Those Schedules: Let your employees work when they’re most productive — flexible scheduling is one of the top wellness strategies for reducing burnout. You might be surprised how much more gets done when you’re not chaining everyone to their desks from 9 to 5.
  2. Get Competitive (In a Fun Way): Nothing builds team spirit like a little friendly competition. Step challenges, healthy cooking contests – get creative!
  3. Never Stop Learning: Offer ways for your team to keep growing their skills. It’s a win-win: They feel valued, and your company gets smarter.

Quick Wins to Get Started

Ready to jump in? Here are some easy ways to kickstart your wellness revolution:

  • Spread the Word: Don’t just roll out a program and hope people notice. Shout it from the rooftops! Send some emails! Put it in the group chat!
  • Embrace the Power of Pause: Encourage actual breaks. Maybe even try a company-wide meditation session.
  • Money Talks: Money Talks: Financial stress is one of the most overlooked drivers of employee disengagement — offering financial wellness resources can be a game-changer.
  • Lead by Example: If you are preaching wellness but working 80-hour weeks, guess what message your team is getting? Walk the walk, folks. At INFINITI HR, we created INFINIFIT®: A corporate wellness initiative that encourages healthy living through education, challenges, and community service. Activities have included: community service: adopt-a-road clean up, adopt-a-family program, blood drives, and more. Fitness challenges: steps challenge, get up and get tit, worksite challenge, and more. Health and nutrition: slam dunk no junk food challenge, water challenge, provision of healthy snacks, and more. Personal growth initiatives have included workshops on topics like basic first aid, CPR, nutrition, Dream Manager, and more.

The Bottom Line: How Wellness Programs Drive Business Success

Here is the deal: Investing in employee wellness isn’t just a nice thing to do. It’s a smart business move that can seriously boost your bottom line. The experts at WebMD Health Services are predicting big things for employee well-being in 2024, and you don’t want to be left behind.

So, take a good hard look at your workplace. Are people thriving, or just surviving? With the right strategy and expert support from INFINITI HR’s employee wellness consultants, you can create a culture that attracts and retains top talent. And isn’t that the kind of place we all want to work?

Interested in other current employment trends? Click the link to view the recent blog: How to Prepare Your Business for HR Regulation Changes or check back for more on human resources, payroll, insurance, and benefits.

Want help building a wellness plan that actually works? Contact INFINITI HR to speak with an employee wellness expert today.

This article does not constitute legal advice, and there are subtle variations in employment law as it pertains to these topics, depending on where your business operates. It is strongly suggested that you seek consultation or legal counsel before making decisions about policies.

mental health resources in workplace

The Wellness Wake-Up Call: How Employee Financial Wellness Impacts Mental Health and Productivity

May is mental health awareness month, and we are bringing you tips on what we are seeing in the employee financial wellness market. We know that as a business owner, you’ve got a lot on your plate – starting with running the business amongst all the other “tyranny of the urgent” issues that come up on any given day. But there is one challenge you simply can’t afford to ignore: employee financial wellness and mental health support.

Whether you’re running a scrappy startup or a Fortune 500 giant, you have probably noticed some worrying signs. Maybe your team’s energy is flagging, people are calling in sick more often, or there is a general sense of discontent in the air. These are not just minor hiccups – they are red flags that your workforce might be struggling with their mental and financial well-being. And you’re not the only one experiencing this.

Given the competing priorities as a business owner, we can often overlook workplace financial wellness, even though it is directly tied to mental health, productivity, and company culture. So, how do you “live the values” and make this part of your company’s DNA? The secret weapon might just be strategic HR partnerships.

Why Employee Wellness Matters Now More Than Ever

The stats on workplace wellness programs are pretty eye-opening. The global corporate wellness market is set to explode to a whopping $146.6 billion by 2027. That’s growing at nearly 7% each year! And get this – more than 90% of companies are already on the wellness bandwagon. But here’s the rub: mental health issues are still running rampant, with more than 77% of folks reporting that work is making their mental health worse. Yikes.

Why should you care? Well, employee financial stress alone is costing U.S. employers an estimated $190 billion every month in lost productivity. That is a billion with a B, folks. With a huge chunk of workers feeling the financial squeeze, it is clear that addressing money matters isn’t just nice to have – it’s essential. Don’t believe us? Check out these corporate wellness stats for yourself.

How Strategic HR Partnerships Improve Wellness

This is where INFINITI HR comes in, ready to shake things up in the world of HR solutions. We have a support team that knows your business well. Because of this, we help you dive deep into the wellness pool, weaving financial smarts and mental health support into the fabric of your employees’ daily lives. Here is how our consultants can work with you to change the game with HR wellness solutions:

  1. Holistic Wellness Routines: Financial stress is a sneaky productivity killer. That is why we offer financial resources to help your team tackle money worries head-on. By shining a light on these tools available to you at no cost to you or your employees, HR wellness programs become the secret weapon in boosting employee mental health and financial resilience. Want to learn more? Check out our blog on why smart financial planning matters.

    When you work with INFINITI HR, you get to tap into our large network of wellness offerings that include but are not limited to Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), telehealth services, dream manager programs and more. These make both your team and your bottom line sing. Check out our HR marketplace for more on our wellness partnerships. 
  2. Work-Life Balance That Actually Works: We are all about helping your team find that sweet spot through financial wellness programs for employees. The result? More engaged, productive, and fulfilled employees. And let’s not forget the importance of flexible schedules and personal time – it’s become crucial for keeping our sanity intact. Five years post Covid, we feel this more than ever.
  3. Slashing Financial Stress with Pro Advice: We know that not every business can hand out fat raises left and right. But what if you could connect your team with certified financial advisors or set up workshops on savvy money management? It’s not just about making employees feel appreciated – it’s about empowering them to take control of their financial future – both at and outside of work.

    At INFINITI HR specifically, you have direct access to our seasoned retirement plan and wealth management consultant. For INFINITI HR, this consultant manages our multiple employer401(k) plan (MEP), which offers pooled plan arrangements to streamline administration and reduce costs for participating employers.

    Another strategic HR partnership INFINITI HR has put in place to slash the financial stress and boost employee wellness is with ZayZoon. Together, we have enabled a new way for employees to access their earned wages when they may need them most. As an early adopter of ZayZoon’s earned wage access platform, we’ve seen firsthand how offering employees financial flexibility can give employees control over their paycheck, reduce financial stress and prevent the debt spiral caused by predatory products. More about that here
  4. Building a Culture That Doesn’t Suck: A mentally healthy and financially secure workplace isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s essential. Poor mental health can tank job performance and send turnover rates through the roof, which is a recipe for financial disaster. We are not just about the usual HR stuff. We’ve got some tricks up our sleeve that’ll make your workplace feel less like, well, work. Ever tried encouraging random acts of kindness among coworkers? Or how about starting a gratitude journal? Writing down three good things each day can turn a Debbie Downer into a Positive Polly. Want to dive deeper into how job stress impacts health and your bottom line? A recent blog has additional insights for you.

The Link Between Financial Wellness and Mental Health

Still not convinced? Here are some more stats. A growing number of employees are putting their personal well-being front and center, but only 44% actually feel financially secure. And guess what? That lack of financial wellness is directly linked to mental health struggles. It is clear as day – we need HR solutions that tackle both money smarts and mental resilience. Don’t just take our word for it – dive into these employee wellness statistics for yourself.

Key Takeaways and Next Steps

Imagine a workplace where people look forward to coming in, where they feel financially secure and supported by workplace mental health programs. The result? Your company’s output and reputation will soar.

Partner with INFINITI HR and embrace strategic partnerships. Nurture a workforce that feels seen, heard, and inspired. As stress levels drop and productivity rises, you will start to see wellness not as a cost, but as your secret weapon.

As you mull over ways to boost engagement and keep your best talent from jumping ship, remember that INFINITI HR is here to help guide your company into a future where wellness and success go hand in hand. Think about the power of tackling financial stress with genuine empathy and watch how it ripples through your entire organization. This isn’t just about wellness programs – it is about creating a legacy of success that starts with your people.

Interested in other current employment trends? Click the link to view the recent blog: May 2025 State Labor Law Changes for Employers: New Rules in New Hampshire and Ohio or check back for more on human resources, payroll, insurance, and benefits.

This article does not constitute legal advice, and there are subtle variations in employment law as it pertains to these topics, depending on where your business operates. It is strongly suggested that you seek consultation or legal counsel before making decisions about policies.

may 2025 state labor law updates for employers in new hampshire and ohio

May 2025 State Labor Law Changes for Employers: New Rules in New Hampshire and Ohio

At INFINITI HR, we help small businesses stay compliant with evolving state labor laws. This May 2025 update outlines new employment regulations in New Hampshire and Ohio, including lactation accommodation requirements, pay stub transparency, and digital workplace notice laws. Stay informed and protect your business from legal risk.

Please note: This blog is for informational purposes only. Employers should consult with their dedicated HR consultant or legal counsel to address specific requirements for their organization. Find past compliance updates and HR insights on our website. 

Key Topics This Month:

  1. New Hampshire: Lactation Accommodation
  2. Ohio: Pay Stub Protection and Digital Workplace Notices

New Hampshire Labor Law Update: Lactation Break Requirements

nursing mother using lactation room at work under breastfeeding accommodation policy

LACTATION ACCOMMODATION – EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025

Beginning July 1, 2025, New Hampshire employers with six or more employees must offer nursing mothers a 30-minute unpaid break every three hours to express breast milk. This requirement applies for up to one year after childbirth. Break timing and frequency may vary depending on the individual’s needs.

In addition, employers will also be required to do the following:

  • Create and distribute a company Lactation Accommodation policy.
  • Provide a private space/room to express breast milk, other than a restroom. If the employee prefers, they may choose to use their own private office to express breast milk.

The private space/room must:

  • Shielded from view and free from intrusion from other coworkers, be located near a sink with running water; must have a chair; and have an electrical outlet.
  • Employees must provide at least a two-week advance notice of their need for a lactation accommodation in the workplace.

Ohio Labor Law Update

employee reviewing itemized paycheck showing gross wages and deductions under ohio pay stub law

PAY STUB PROTECTION ACT – EFFECTIVE APRIL 9, 2025

Starting April 9, 2025, Ohio employers must provide employees with an itemized pay stub that includes:

  • The name and address of the employee and employer;
  • Total gross wages and total net wages;
  • A breakdown of additions and deduction from wages, with a brief explanation;
  • Hourly Employees: Total hours worked, hourly rate of pay, and any overtime hours/wages earned; and
  • The pay date and pay period the wages cover.
  • Employers may choose to provide this information electronic or form.

hr manager uploading mandatory labor law notices to company intranet for ohio digital posting compliance

DIGITAL WORKPLACE NOTICES – EFFECTIVE JULY 20, 2025

Ohio employers will be permitted to post certain mandatory labor law notices electronically, as long as they are accessible to all employees. This law does not eliminate the requirement for employers to display workplace notices, but allows an additional method of compliance by allowing employer to provide them in digital format.

The digital workplace posting law applies to the following notices:

  • Ohio Minor Labor Law Notice
  • Ohio Minimum Fair Wage Standards Law Notice
  • Ohio Civil Rights Law Notice
  • Ohio Prevailing Wage Law Notice
  • Ohio Workers’ Compensation Notice
  • Ohio Public Employment Risk Reduction Program (PERRP) Notice

Employers may publish the above notices on an internal company website, intranet, or HR portal, as long as the notices are reasonably accessible to all employees. Also, employers must be sure to communicate this change to all existing employees, as well as new employees upon hire.

Interested in other current HR and employment law trends? Click the link to view the recent blog: How to Keep Employees Happy with a Yes Day, or check back for more on human resources policies, payroll compliance, insurance updates, and employee benefits guidance.

This article does not constitute legal advice, and there are subtle variations in state labor law updates depending on where your business operates. It is strongly suggested that you seek HR consultation or legal counsel before making decisions about leave policies, job postings, or pay disclosure. 

employee engagement strategy in a creative office environment

How to Keep Employees Happy with a Yes Day

Boost morale and creativity with a simple idea: Say “yes” for a day and transform your culture.

Here’s the deal: You walk into your office and instead of the usual grind, your employees are buzzing with excitement. Why? Because today, their wildest (work-appropriate) dreams are coming true. Welcome to ‘Yes Day’ – a mindset that is all about being flexible, bonding with your team, and injecting creativity and fun into your company culture.

Whether you are running a mom-and-pop shop or steering a corporate behemoth, a ‘Yes Day’ mindset could be just the ticket to breathe new life into your workplace. 

What Is a ‘Yes Day’ at Work?

In today’s high-pressure work environment, the idea of giving employees time or resources to nurture their individual creative inclinations, and perhaps find some joy, might seem counterintuitive. But here is the kicker – happy employees are more productive and stay longer. ‘Yes Day’  build trust, creativity, and engagement. People aren’t just in it for the paycheck anymore. They want to feel valued, have some autonomy, and actually enjoy coming to work. 

The ‘Yes Day’ concept is often used by parents for their young children… sometimes to reward good behavior or – for those with multiple children –  as a way to show individual attention and celebrate. The same concept applies here. At the end of the day, a ‘Yes Day’ is about more than just having fun (though that’s a pretty sweet perk). It’s about building a workplace where people actually want to be. Where creativity thrives, stress takes a backseat, and your team feels like, well, a team. A team that is cared for, heard, and understood.

A ‘Yes Day’ ticks all these boxes and then some. It is like hitting the turbo boost on your company culture.

team building activity to improve workplace cultur

How to Implement a ‘Yes Day’ for Your Team?

At INFINITI HR, we help teams build meaningful experiences like ‘Yes Day’ that drive culture forward. We are more than just printing paychecks and crunching numbers (though we’re pretty darn good at that, too). We’re here to help you transform your workplace into a buzzing hive of creativity and engagement.

As a PEO client, you’ll be assigned a dedicated HR consultant. With our help, you can identify opportunities to apply the Yes Day concept. We’ve got the know-how to make it happen. Want to level up your leadership game? We’ve got resources there as well. 

Examples of ‘Yes Day’ Success

Picture this: Your office is alive with laughter, high-fives, and a genuine sense of camaraderie. That’s what a well-executed ‘Yes Day’ can do. One green tech startup organized a Yes Day to volunteer at a local charity. Not only did they give back to the community, but they also forged stronger bonds within the team. The outcome? A Forbes feature and deeper team loyalty.

workplace initiative to boost team engagement and happine

Step-by-Step Guide to Launching Your ‘Yes Day’

Great company culture takes effort. Start with these simple steps to launch your first ‘Yes Day’ :

  1. Start Small: How about a monthly ‘Mini Yes Day’? Let your team suggest fun activities – maybe a group brunch or a brainstorming session in the park.
  2. Involve Your Employees: Make it democratic. Let people pitch ideas and vote on their favorites. It is all about inclusion! The more you get your people involved in the co-creation process, the more likely they are to engage
  3. Lead by Example: Hey, bosses – get in on the action! Show your team you’re not just talking the talk
  4. Collect Feedback and Improve: After each ‘Yes Day’, ask for feedback. What worked? What didn’t? Use this intel to make the next one even better.

Need more inspiration? Check out our tips on creating a killer work-life balance or contact us to learn more about how we can help.

‘Yes Day’ is more than fun; it improves morale, lowers stress, and encourages innovation. Start today and watch your culture thrive. It might just be the best decision you make for your business this year. After all, happy employees make for a happy bottom line. And who doesn’t want that?

Interested in other current employment trends? Click the link to view the recent blog: Boost Productivity with Effective Employee Wellness Programs or check back for more on human resources, payroll, insurance, and benefits.

Ready to Build a Happier Team? Contact INFINITI HR to learn how ‘Yes Day’ and other engagement strategies can revitalize your workplace.

This article does not constitute legal advice, and there are subtle variations in employment law as it pertains to these topics, depending on where your business operates. It is strongly suggested that you seek consultation or legal counsel before making decisions about policies.