State Leave Laws Continue to Expand in 2026: What Multistate Employers Should Know

By gcobb  The new year, as always, brings with it new developments in labor and employment law. Likewise, the ever-growing labyrinth of state and local paid leave laws, including paid sick leave and family and medical leave laws, continues to develop in 2026. Some states have expanded their existing leave provisions, while others are enacting wholly new leave programs. As paid leave requirements grow and change, so too do compliance difficulties and litigation risks for multijurisdictional employers. Below is a summary of key developments in state and local leave laws, as well as states to watch as the year progresses.…

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EntertainHR: Sherrone Moore and the Mental Health Obligations of Employers 

By Rob Entin, FordHarrison I am an alumnus of the University of Michigan.  My son is a junior there.  My closest friends went to school in Ann Arbor.  So did my father-in-law, brother-in-law, and sister-in-law.  Like all who bleed maize and blue, we believe that we have a responsibility to our university to embody the values of excellence, character, and integrity in everything we do.  So, when the news broke last month of former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore’s termination for having an inappropriate relationship with his assistant and the details of his subsequent arrest, I vacillated between feelings of anger and shame.       This article will not delve into the details of the inappropriateness of Moore’s relationship with his assistant…

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AI and Job Security: Face Fears and Face Facts

By Richard Lehr During a recent round of labor negotiations, a union proposed the following language regarding artificial intelligence (AI): “Artificial Intelligence shall not be utilized in any manner that displaces, diminishes, or eliminates existing bargaining unit work. AI shall not replace, displace, or erode job classifications or duties currently performed by bargaining unit employees.” This proposal was rejected without a counteroffer for several reasons, including that the employer (a manufacturing facility) would not agree to a limitation on the impact of AI, as AI continues to evolve and its impact on several sectors is unpredictable. The union’s proposal evolved…

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Why Your AI Upskilling Will Fail (Unless You Fix These 5 Things First)

By Dr. Priyanka Dave Your executive team wants artificial intelligence (AI) adoption yesterday. Your budget for training platforms is approved. Your learning modules are ready to launch. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: none of it will stick, and the problem isn’t your training. Every Chief Learning Officer (CLO) knows this frustration. Employees complete their AI literacy courses, pass their assessments, and then return to their desks, where the old way of working is still faster, easier, and frankly, what their managers expect. Pictured: Dr. Priyanka Dave. Photo courtesy of Dr. Priyanka Dave. Organizations spend almost $100 billion annually on learning and development,…

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Mitigate Legal Risks of AI in Employment Decisions Through Vendor Contracts

By Elizabeth Shirley Artificial intelligence (AI) has become commonplace in recruiting, screening, interviewing, testing, promotion, and employee monitoring. Properly designed and governed, AI can streamline processes and improve consistency. In employment decision-making, however, AI can introduce legal and operational risks for the employer, even when the AI tools are built and operated by third-party vendors. Businesses should understand where and when liabilities may arise and use vendor contracts to mitigate and allocate those risks before deploying AI as part of employment decisions. Legal Risks in Using AI for Employment Decisions A legal risk in using AI as part of employment…

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From AI Screening to the Uberization of Talent: 4 Trends HR Needs to Prepare For in 2026 

By James Terry HR teams are under more pressure than ever. Budgets are tight. Expectations are high. The pace of change is accelerating. At the same time, artificial intelligence (AI) and flexible workforce models are reshaping not just how people work, but how talent is accessed and managed. Many HR leaders are trying to make sense of the headlines—AI replacing jobs, rapid automation, economic uncertainty—while still managing day-to-day realities like staffing shortages, retention risk and compliance oversight.  But the real story is more nuanced. According to recent data, only 17% of HR teams have fully embedded AI into their operations. Yet 62% of employers expect…

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Five Trends That Will Define 2026 for HR Teams

By Rob Whalen It has been a difficult few years for employees. There was the shock of COVID-19, which fundamentally reshaped how and where we work. Then employees were hit with surging inflation, which exacerbated the financial vulnerability they already felt in the waning years of the pandemic. More recently, employees had to quickly acclimate to the reversal of policies such as work-from-home and the pause on student loan payments. Now employees face slowing job growth, rising healthcare costs, and the accelerating adoption of AI. HR teams always have their hands full, but 2026 is shaping up to be a…

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Why 2026 Will Define Your Workforce Strategy for the Next Decade 

By Russ Fradin, Larridin  Every major technology transformation creates winners and losers. The difference between the two is rarely the technology itself, it’s how organizations structure themselves to absorb it. As we move forward in 2026, HR leaders face an unprecedented challenge: managing a workforce that’s fracturing into three distinct segments based on AI capability, creating “the AI divide.” The organizations that bridge this gap in the next 18 months will outpace their competitors at a velocity that makes catching up mathematically impossible.  What’s At Stake?  According to Gartner, AI spending will reach $1.5 trillion in 2025, accelerating to $2 trillion in 2026. As Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff recently noted, “We’re probably looking at three…

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Why Your Employees Feel Gen AI Fears—and How to Win Them Over

By Dr. Gleb Tsipursky Integrating Generative AI (Gen AI) into an organization is transformative, yet fraught with uncertainty for many employees. Transparency and consistent communication throughout this process are not optional; they are essential. By openly sharing progress, challenges, and milestones, organizations can transform fear into confidence and resistance into active engagement. Trust is built not by delivering a one-time announcement but through frequent, detailed updates. When employees understand where a project stands, what has been achieved, and what challenges lie ahead, they feel included rather than sidelined. Clear communication reduces speculation and prevents anxiety about the implications of new…

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The Sustainable Entrepreneur — How Self-Care Powers Success

by Layla Colson Image via PexelsEntrepreneurs often run on fumes — juggling deadlines, strategy, and stress. But longevity in business isn’t built on hustle alone; it’s grounded in sustainable self-care that keeps mind and body resilient for the long haul. TL;DR Entrepreneurial success depends on consistency, clarity, and well-being. Small, daily self-care practices — from setting digital boundaries to exploring restorative supplements — can protect focus, reduce burnout, and amplify decision-making power. Rethinking Success Through Wellness Entrepreneurs who ignore their well-being often face decision fatigue, cognitive fog, and loss of motivation. The modern founder’s advantage isn’t working longer — it’s…

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