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HR Management

OPM guidance puts telework policies back under the microscope

01/26/2026
Federal telework policies moved back into the spotlight after the Office of Personnel Management updated its guidance to emphasize in-person work as the default for most federal employees. While the revisions align with the Trump administration’s January 2025 return-to-office orders, the guidance also outlines practical guardrails that HR teams outside the government can use as benchmarks when reviewing their telework frameworks.

Subtle ways employers encourage a return to the office without triggering backlash

01/26/2026
Many employers want more employees back in the office, but few want to relive the backlash that followed earlier return-to-office mandates. Instead of issuing rigid requirements, organizations are increasingly relying on quieter, less confrontational approaches that nudge behavior without sparking open resistance. For HR teams, these strategies can be effective, but only when applied thoughtfully and equitably.

OSHA releases interpretive letters as part of education push

01/20/2026
The Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has begun calling attention to interpretive letters (LOIs or letters of interpretation) it’s publishing in the past year as part of its education push to encourage voluntary compliance.

December jobs data signals a potential year of cautious hiring

01/20/2026
Payroll growth slowed sharply in December, but the labor market did not crack. Instead, the latest federal data points to a year defined by caution, concentration and tough trade-offs for employers deciding where to place their bets next.

Flu surge highlights importance of clear HR policy

01/20/2026
The flu is surging well beyond typical seasonal levels, and HR leaders can’t rely on outdated policies to protect their workplaces.

New York set to enact first AI law after Trump executive order

01/12/2026
On Dec. 11, President Trump signed an executive order on artificial intelligence aimed at promoting the United States as a global leader in AI development. Almost immediately after, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that will establish new state rules on the development of AI models.

Why you need to update job descriptions annually

01/05/2026
While no federal law specifies that employers must provide each employee with an up-to-date job description, it’s a serious mistake not to do so.

Unemployment hits four-year high amid labor market transformation

01/02/2026
The latest employment data paints a sobering picture: Unemployment hit 4.6% in November 2025, the highest rate since September 2021, as employers added only 64,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. While the numbers tell an incomplete story, they reveal a labor market under strain from multiple pressures.

EEOC lawsuit highlights how not to use a point-based absenteeism system

12/22/2025
A recently filed EEOC lawsuit against JCPenney highlights how employers must account for absences under an attendance point system. While such systems cut down on employees whose absence causes scheduling problems, managers and supervisors must be trained on how to handle call-offs that may be covered under the FMLA, ADA and PWFA.

Inclusion habits that should last beyond the calendar year

12/22/2025
Workplace conversations about inclusion often rise and fall with the calendar. Recognition months prompt reflection, learning and good intentions, but those efforts don’t always translate into day-to-day behavior. HR teams sit at the center of that gap, with the opportunity to turn moments of awareness into practical habits that shape how employees experience work year-round.