Question: Can I deny an employee’s PTO request?
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HR Newsletter: Annual Standardized Wage Increases
As organizations plan their compensation strategies each year, many are leaning toward a “peanut butter” approach to pay—spreading standardized annual wage increases evenly across employee groups. These modest, predictable adjustments have become more common as employers navigate economic uncertainty, tighter budgets, and a heightened focus on internal pay equity. While some years bring significant market- or performance-based pay adjustments, many employers have recently opted for more traditional, standardized raises, often citing economic uncertainty, tighter budgets, and the need for internal pay equity.
Continue readingHR Newsletter: State Legislative Updates
California Family Care and Medical Leave Comparison Chart – California employers must comply with two comprehensive family and medical leave laws: the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the state California Family Rights Act (CFRA). This chart compares key features of the two laws. Note that additional state and local laws require employee leave for other purposes, such as the employee’s illness, bereavement, and pregnancy disability.
Continue readingHR Newsletter: Preventing Burnout by Helping Employees Find Meaning at Work
Burnout has become a defining challenge in today’s workplace. Employees across industries report feeling exhausted, disconnected, and undervalued. These conditions not only harm individual well-being but also impact organizational performance. While burnout is multifaceted, fostering a sense of purpose at work can be the key to overcoming it.
Continue readingHR Newsletter: DOL’s Proposed Independent Contractor Rule
On Feb. 26, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule that would rescind the department’s 2024 final independent contractor rule and replace it with an analysis for employee classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) similar to the one adopted by the DOL in 2021. The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on Feb. 27, 2026.
Continue readingHR Newsletter: FMLA & ADA Education
Understanding key workplace leave and accommodation laws is essential for both employers and employees. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides eligible employees with job-protected leave for certain family and medical reasons, while the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Continue readingHR Question of the Month
Question: Are companies required to offer COBRA to all employees who leave the organization?
Continue readingHR Newsletter: Learning & Development Trends to Monitor in 2026
Workplace learning is entering a new era shaped by slowed hiring, shifting employee expectations, and rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI). For employers, this creates a unique challenge: how to build a future‑ready workforce with the talent they already have while ensuring development approaches remain human-centered, flexible, and aligned with real career motivations.
Continue readingHR Newsletter: State Legislative Updates
California Updates Employment Status and Reimbursement Rules for Vehicle Use – On Oct. 11, 2025, the governor approved Senate Bill (SB) 809, which reaffirmed that mere ownership of a vehicle—personal or commercial—used by a person providing labor or services for remuneration does not make that person an independent contractor. The law took effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
Continue readingHR Newsletter: HR Edge (Q1 2026)
We recently released our latest HR Edge newsletter. This quarter’s newsletter covers the following topics:
- 4 Wellness Trends Reshaping the Employee Experience
- Fertility Benefits on the Rise
- Getting Employee Buy-in on AI
Click the following link to access: HR Edge (Q1 2026).
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