Compliance Stuff

Employee Count as of 2025.12.15 Workplace law compliance was a wild ride in 2025, and now it’s time to catch our breath and prepare for what’s next. More than 50 new workplace laws will kick in on January 1 in more than half the states across the country, and several “Big Beautiful Bill” provisions taking effect in 2026 will impact employers nationwide . We’ll cover the top five trends and give you a quick list of all the new laws rolling out at the turn of the year. Top 5 Trends Among New State Laws Effective January 1, 2026  1. Minimum Wage Increases At least 19 states will see minimum wage hikes on January 1, and statewide rates will hit or exceed $15 per hour  for the   first time  in Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii,  Maine ,  Missouri , and Nebraska. Check out our  Minimum Wage Map  and our “Quick List” below to learn more. Remember to also check whether any higher rates are required at your local level or whether special rules apply (such as diffe...

October will bring vibrant foliage, cooler temperatures, and a heap of new workplace laws. 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. Here’s your employer cheat sheet to the laws taking effect in October 2025. Note : All laws listed here will take effect on  October 1  unless otherwise noted. California Regulation of AI Use in Employment Decisions.  The California Civil Council of the Civil Rights Department adopted  regulations  earlier this year that protect against employment discrimination as a result of the use of artificial intelligence (AI), algorithms , and other automated-decision systems. For a closer look at the new rules, check out our prior FP coverage  here .  Colorado New Data Privacy Rules for Businesses.  New privacy rules will refine protections...