Colorado Enacts Significant Wage and Hour Amendments – On May 22, 2025, Colorado enacted House Bill 1001, which makes several important changes to the state’s wage and hour laws.
Continue readingHR Newsletter: State Legislative Updates
HR Newsletter: 8 Employee Engagement Mistakes to Avoid in 2025
Employee engagement refers to an employee’s emotional connection and commitment to their organization and its goals. It is often reflected in their loyalty, motivation, and willingness to advocate for the organization. Engagement is a critical factor in driving retention and productivity.
According to a report from Gallup published in early 2025, the percentage of engaged employees fell to 31% in late 2024 from 33% in 2023. It was the lowest level of employee engagement recorded in a decade. Previous years saw high levels of employee quits, while employees are now more likely to stay in their current jobs—even if they are not satisfied with their role or their employer. This means employers may face lower productivity and a damaged workplace culture, which can lead to attraction and retention difficulties.
Continue readingHR Newsletter: “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” Includes Changes for Employee Benefits, Tips, and Overtime
On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a major tax and spending bill, commonly referred to as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBB Act), into law. The OBBB Act includes changes for employee benefit plans, including provisions that:
- Expand the availability of health savings accounts (HSAs);
- Permanently extend the telehealth exception for high deductible health plans (HDHPs);
- Increase the maximum annual limit for dependent care flexible spending accounts (FSAs);
- Allow employers to help pay employees’ student loans beyond 2025 and make cost-of-living adjustments to the tax exclusion for educational assistance programs; and
- Allow employers to contribute up to $2,500 per year to a new type of tax-advantaged account for children, called a “Trump Account.”
HR Newsletter: 2025 Midyear Employment Law Compliance Trends
Throughout 2025, there have been significant changes in employment law at the federal and state levels. A review of agency guidance, presidential executive orders, litigation, and recent and proposed legislation reveals a number of emerging trends that will affect employers for the remainder of the year. Employers should ensure that they are apprised of significant legal developments and are either in compliance or prepared to comply with their requirements.
Continue readingHR Question of the Month
Question: Does an employer legally need to provide something in writing to an employee being terminated?
Continue readingHR Newsletter: Summer Attraction and Retention Tips
With seasonal employment, internships, and graduations, summer presents a strategic recruitment opportunity for employers. What’s more, summer is the peak season for many businesses, potentially driving them to hire more workers to keep up with increased demand. Summer is an ideal time for employers to review their efforts to attract and retain quality talent for seasonal or long-term employment.
Continue readingClosed on July 4th
In observance of the holiday, our office will be CLOSEDÂ for the day on Friday, July 4th. We will reopen during normal business hours on Monday, July 7th.
Please contact us if you have any questions or special requests. On behalf of all of us at Employco USA, we wish you a safe and happy 4th with family and friends!
HR Chat w/Employco USA: State Transparency Laws
In this HR Chat, Rob and Jason discuss the growing number of states implementing pay transparency laws and what employers need to include in job postings, such as reasonable pay ranges and, in some cases, benefit details.
They highlight upcoming changes in states like Vermont, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, and explain how remote positions can create compliance risks depending on where job ads are posted. Employers can request a helpful state-by-state summary from hr@employco.com.
Schedule a 15-minute call with Griffen Wilson for more information on our services.
HR Newsletter: State Legislative Updates
Illinois (Chicago) Increases Minimum Wage – On June 4, 2025, the City of Chicago announced an upcoming change to the minimum wage. Effective July 1, 2025, the Chicago minimum wage for employers with 4 or more employees will be $16.60 per hour, while the tipped employee minimum wage will be $12.62 per hour. For youth workers, subsidized temporary youth employment programs, and subsidized transitional employment programs, the minimum wage will be $16.50 per hour.
Continue readingHR Newsletter: DOL Rescinds Guidance on Cryptocurrency in 401(k) Plans
On May 28, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) released Compliance Assistance Release No. 2025-01, which rescinds prior 2022 guidance that cautioned plan fiduciaries to exercise “extreme care” before they considered adding a cryptocurrency option to a 401(k) plan’s investment menu for plan participants.
According to the DOL, the standard of “extreme care” deviated from the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). Under ERISA, fiduciaries must act prudently and solely in the financial interests of plan participants, among other standards of conduct.
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