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As the calendar turns to 2026, employers across the country face a fresh wave of labor and employment law changes that will reshape workplace compliance, employee rights, and business operations. From expanded protections for gig workers and whistleblowers to new rules governing employment contracts, data privacy, and workplace transparency, this year’s legislative updates reflect a […]
Many states and localities are set to increase their minimum wages on January 1, 2026. In California, Colorado, Maine, New York and Washington, the minimum salary required to be classified as exempt from overtime is tied to the minimum wage or is otherwise adjusted annually with the minimum wage and therefore will also increase on […]
On November 21, 2025, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the US Department of the Treasury released guidance outlining how workers can calculate their tax deduction for tips and overtime pay for the 2025 tax year when their employer does not separately report the information. The guidance provides specific examples of how a tax deduction […]
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) recently announced that the amount individuals can contribute to their 401(k) plans in 2026 has increased to $24,500, up from $23,500 for 2025. The IRS also issued technical guidance regarding all cost‑of‑living adjustments affecting dollar limitations for pension plans and other retirement-related items for tax year 2026. IRS:401(k) limit increases to $24,500 […]
The US Department of Labor (DOL) Wage and Hour Division issued a new opinion letter on Sept. 30, 2025, explaining that employers should calculate FMLA leave hours based on an employee’s actual, normally scheduled workweek — which includes any mandatory overtime hours and excludes any additional voluntary hours. The DOL’s guidance is helpful for all employers faced […]
Employee requests for accommodations and leaves of absence are on the rise, marking a persistent cultural shift spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, return-to-office mandates, and reduced stigma surrounding mental health conditions. The practical and legal challenges facing employers amidst an evolving leave and accommodations landscape was among the issues analyzed in Littler’s 2025 Annual Employer […]
New York State has raised the maximum weekly unemployment insurance benefit by almost 73%, increasing it from $504 per week to $869 per week. According to the New York Department of Labor (NY DOL), benefits will increase immediately. 77% of benefit recipients will receive the new maximum, while another 28% of current recipients will see […]
Governor Pritzker signed into law new employment–related enactments, such as the Workers’ Rights and Worker Safety Act. Existing laws, such as the Illinois Human Rights Act, the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act, and the Employee Blood and Organ Donation Act, have been amended. This article summarizes the most important changes employers need to know. Ogletree Deakins:Illinois Labor […]
California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed many bills passed in the 2025 legislative session into law that affect employers’ compliance obligations regarding pay transparency, workplace notices, pay data reporting, paid family leave, tip theft, and more. At the same time, the governor vetoed some notable bills. These articles list key labor and employment bills either signed into law […]
From California to Connecticut, employers across the country will be impacted by state and local requirements taking effect next month. Some trends this fall include pay transparency, paid sick leave, and data privacy protections. This article lists some of the laws taking effect in October 2025. Fisher & Phillips LLP:Employer Cheat Sheet for Workplace Laws […]