What’s in the cards for the year ahead? Check out this compilation of predictions for 2026 HR priorities, state and federal legislative updates, and compliance matters.
HR Executive: What’s Keeping HR Up at Night? 2026 Edition (download full report)
Summary:
- Talent Is Still Top Priority – But the Playbook Is Changing
- Change Is Accelerating Faster Than Organizations Can Adjust
- AI Adoption Is Surging – But Maturity Remains Low
- The HR Technology Gap Is Widening
- HR Stress Is Surging – With No Relief in Sight
HR Daily Advisor: Five Trends That Will Define 2026 for HR Teams
- Rising Healthcare Costs Will Be a Major Focus
- Employees’ Financial Anxiety Is Deepening
- Holistic Financial Wellness Will Be Vital
- Work-Life Balance Is Under Pressure
- The Demand for Flexible and Personalized Benefits Will Rise
Stinson LLP: Top Employment Challenges for Employers in 2026
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Empowered Employees: Increase in Retaliation and Whistleblowing Claims
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A New Landscape for Immigration: Heightened Enforcement Requires Proactive Compliance
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The Maze of State Laws: Navigating Compliance with Competing Requirements
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EEOC’s New Focus: Religious Accommodations and Discrimination Against White Men
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The NLRB is Back, but Change May be Slow to Come
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Rethinking ADA Accommodations: Well-being and Mental Health Challenges
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) & Equal Employment Opportunity
- AI in the Workplace
- Remote Work and the ADA
- Smart Glasses, Workplace Privacy, and the ADA
- Pay Transparency
- Expansion of Paid Leave
- Routine Use of Artificial Intelligence
- Training Managers to Understand Requests for Accommodation Under the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act (PWFA)
- Return to Office (RTO) Policies
- Protecting Confidential Information and Assets with a Noncompete
- Audit Your Classification of Independent Contractors
- Follow Up on Your Performance Evaluations
Legislative Updates / Compliance Matters 2026
- Polsinelli: 2026 Employment Law Updates
- Ogletree Deakins: Employer Compliance Watchlist: Key State Laws Effective January 1, 2026
- Hinckley Allen: New Year, New Laws: Overview for Employers to Prepare for 2026
- Baker & Hostetler LLP: 2026 Wage and Hour Nationwide Update: Key Changes That Could Affect Your Business
- HR Dive: Minimum Wage Increases Hit 19 States in 2026
- Epstein Becker Greene: Minimum Wages and Exemption Thresholds Adjusted Across the USA
- HR Dive: State Paid Family Leave Benefit Changes in 2026
- HR Daily Advisor: State Leave Laws Continue to Expand in 2026: What Multistate Employers Should Know
- Poyner Spruill: DOL Issues Six New Opinion Letters
- Krieg DeVault: New Federal Tax Reporting Requirements for Overtime Compensation
- Venable LLC: New IRS Guidance on Overtime and Tip Reporting Under the OBBBA
- Morgan Lewis: DOL Updates FY 2026 Health Plan Enforcement Priorities: What Employers Need to Know