HR Laws Changing: What Small Businesses Should Expect in 2025 - Mission to Grow: A Small Business Guide to Cash, Compliance, and the War for Talent - Episode #126

In this episode, we dive into the latest updates in employment law and their implications for both business owners and employees in 2025. Our guest, Mary Simmons, explores how these changes will affect HR practices, including immigration enforcement, FLSA changes, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, I-9 updates, minimum wage increases, and evolving sick leave policies. We discuss the proactive steps business owners must take to stay compliant, such as conducting audits, updating handbooks, and training managers. The conversation also highlights the importance of clear communication and strategic planning in navigating these legal changes and maintaining a competitive edge in the labor market.Takeaways:Be aware of the upcoming HR law changes in 2025. These changes could affect various aspects of your business operations and employee management, including compliance with new legal standards.Be deliberate with your training. While certain areas of HR law, like I-9 compliance, may seem straightforward, they require deliberate attention and proper training to ensure compliance and avoid penaltiesConduct periodic audits, especially of I-9 forms and classification of employees. Ensuring compliance through self-audits can help mitigate the risk of costly fines and legal issues if inspected by government agencies.Be prepared for increased government inspections and audits, especially regarding topics like immigration and I-9 compliance, as enforcement is expected to rise.Regularly update your employee handbook to reflect new laws and policies. This ensures that both you and your employees are aware of their rights and responsibilities, helping to maintain compliance and a clear understanding of workplace rules.Implement open and honest communication with your employees, especially when it comes to changes in policies like minimum wage or paid leave. Keeping employees informed and engaged helps in maintaining a positive workplace culture and can improve retention.Quote of the Show:“Some laws have a threshold of a certain amount of employees that it affects, but it really affects everyone. If your competitors have to offer that new benefit, and you're not offering it, you're not going to be able to win that talent." - Mary SimmonsLinks:LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/marysimmonshrconsultant/ Company Website: https://www.asuresoftware.com/ Navigating Accommodations Under the PWFA: Insights for Employers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx9UGDdLc9g&list=PLn0y0cxOWrJi97JI1u1aMHSK9ySSXaEQ8&index=8 Ways to Tune In:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2XThTdn7YC1lkAm0PgZUkj Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mission-to-grow-a-small-business-guide-to-cash-compliance-and-the-war-for-talent/id1725890976 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/328dddd0-3c4f-4b07-a0d3-13bdcb418486/mission-to-grow-a-small-business-guide-to-cash-compliance-and-the-war-for-talent?refMarker=null Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Mission-to-Grow-A-Small-Business-Guide-to-Cash-Compliance-and-the-War-for-Talent-Podcast/B0CS71KQFM?qid=1706208857&sr=1-1&ref_pageloadid=not_applicable&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_1&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=A1ME8MBECSVZ6K4D7CNT&pageLoadId=QBtg12mqKsuZPLGY&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/mission-to-grow-a-small-busine-5591006 Transistor: https://missiontogrow.asuresoftware.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AsureSoftware