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...

  2025 is set to be another year of expanded paid leave requirements for employers. While the results are still preliminary, employers should start preparing in the states that have voted in new leave laws. Missouri Voters passed  Proposition A , which raises the minimum wage from $8.60/hour to $13.75/hour and mandates paid sick leave starting May 1, 2025. The paid sick leave provisions require employers to provide one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked up to five days (employers with fewer than 15 employees) and seven days (employers with 15 or more employees). Proposition A lets employees carry over up to 80 hours of accrued but unused sick time from year to year. It also includes caps on sick leave an employee can take in a given year (40 hours for small employers, 80 for large employers), a prohibition against imposing a waiting time before an employee can use accrued hours, and exempting employers with a paid leave plan that meets or exceeds the minimum require...

  Several states are implementing new minimum wage increases that take effect on  January 1, 2025 . Employers must stay informed about these changes to ensure compliance and make necessary adjustments in their payroll systems. Below is a summary of the key updates and recommended next steps for employers.   Effective  January 1  the following states will have minimum wage increases:  Arizona Minimum Wage Increases to $14.70  California Minimum Wage Increases to $16.50  Colorado Minimum Wage Increases to $14.81  Delaware Minimum Wage Increases to $15.00  Illinois Minimum Wage Increases to $15.00  Maine Minimum Wage Increases to $14.65  Maryland Minimum Wage Increases to $15.00  Michigan Minimum Wage Increases to $10.56  Minnesota Minimum Wage Increases to $11.13  Montana Minimum Wage Increases to $10.55  Nebraska Minimum Wage Increases to $13.50  New Jersey Minimum Wage Increases to $15.49 ($14.53 for Small a...