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NewsDrug and Alcohol TestingDrug and Alcohol TestingMarijuanaSubstance AbuseMonthly Roundup VideoFamily and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)USAHuman ResourcesHR ManagementEnglishAssociate Benefits & CompensationIndustry NewsRecruiting and hiringRecruiting and hiringHR GeneralistApplications/ApplicantsAssociate RelationsFocus AreaVideo
HR Monthly Round Up - December 2025
In this December 2025 roundup video, we’ll review the most impactful HR news.
Welcome, everyone! In the next few minutes, we’ll review the latest HR news. Let’s get started.
Artificial intelligence, revenue growth, and attracting top talent are on business leaders’ minds for 2026, according to the CEO Priorities and Perspectives study released December 4 by the Society for Human Resource Management. The study, which was conducted in October 2025, was based on a survey of 116 CEOs.
While 87 percent of CEOs surveyed see AI-driven upskilling and reskilling to be prevalent in 2026, the cost of labor is a concern. The survey indicated that 81 percent of CEOs expect rising labor and total workforce costs, and 75 percent anticipate workforce reductions to be a trend in the new year.
In other news, on December 3, two senators introduced bipartisan legislation called the Fair Access for Individuals to Receive Leave Act. If enacted, the bill would eliminate the requirement that married couples who both work for the same employer share the 12 weeks of leave under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act in certain circumstances, such as when the leave is taken to bond with a healthy newborn child.
If this bill gets enacted, employers would have an easier time tracking FMLA leave and employees would have more leave flexibility. Although this bill might not pass, it indicates that revising legislation about employee leave is still on the minds of lawmakers.
One more quick update, the White House has directed the attorney general to speed up the process of reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. An executive order signed December 18 brings new life to a process that began in 2024 when the federal government published a proposed rule that would move marijuana from schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act to schedule III, a lower-class drug category.
The rescheduling proposal would move marijuana to the same drug class as prescription drugs such as Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, and steroids. It would also make it possible for medical marijuana to be prescribed to patients.
While the executive order revives the marijuana rescheduling issue, it will likely be 6-12 months before a final rule is issued. Hearings will need to be scheduled and comments from the hearings will need to be considered before a final rule is published.
That’s all the HR news we have time for today. Thanks for watching. See you next month!
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RECENT INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS
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EHS Monthly Round Up - December 2025
In this December 2025 roundup video, we'll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news.
Hi everyone! Welcome to the monthly news roundup video, where we’ll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news. Let’s take a look at what happened over the last month.
In fiscal year 2025, the top three violations for non-construction small employers, those with under 100 employees, were hazard communication, respiratory protection, and powered industrial trucks. Three industries dominated these violations: fabricated metal product manufacturing, repair and maintenance, and non-metallic mineral product manufacturing.
OSHA issued several new letters of interpretation on a variety of workplace topics, including permit required confined spaces, recordkeeping, and powered industrial trucks. Letters of interpretation help ensure the consistent application of federal workplace safety and health standards, and provide regulatory clarification to employers, workers, and safety professionals.
California’s STOP Act took effect January 1. The law targets the state’s fabricated stone industry. It prohibits dry cutting of stone countertops, mandates employee training, and classifies silicosis and silica-related lung cancer from artificial stone as a serious injury or illness.
As of January 1, Washington state requires tower crane permits for all construction work involving tower crane operation, assembly, disassembly, and reconfiguration. Before issuing permits, Washington Department of Labor and Industries will conduct safety conferences to ensure all parties understand the safety requirements and related responsibilities.
Turning to environmental news, EPA issued compliance deadline extensions for certain emissions standards. The delays affect the New Source Performance Standards for crude oil and natural gas facilities and the emissions guidelines for such facilities. Compliance timelines have been pushed into mid- to late-2026 and early 2027.
And finally, although EPA has been deregulating or loosening some environmental requirements, there are still some standards being tightened. These include renewable fuel standards, stormwater management, and PFAS disclosure. Changes to these requirements will reshape compliance obligations for U.S. companies in 2026, and reflect a trend toward increased transparency and environmental accountability.
Thanks for tuning in to the monthly news roundup. We’ll see you next month!
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NewsVideoFamily and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)USAFamily and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)HR ManagementEnglishHuman ResourcesTalent Management & RecruitingAssociate Benefits & CompensationIndustry NewsHR GeneralistLabor Law PostersLabor Law PostersAssociate RelationsFocus AreaMonthly Roundup Video
HR Monthly Round Up - January 2025
In this January 2025 roundup video, we’ll review the most impactful HR news.
Welcome, everyone! In the next few minutes, we’ll review the latest HR news. Let’s get started.
On January 10, the U.S. Department of Labor announced it was raising penalties for employers that don’t properly display federal labor law posters.
The penalty increase went into effect on January 15. The maximum fine is now more than $43,000. Employers should make sure they are properly displaying all required labor law postings.
Speaking of posters, recent executive orders under the new administration removed protections for gender identity discrimination and revoked a previous executive order. This, as well as a leadership change at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, will likely mean a mandatory change to the federal Know Your Rights poster. This poster must be displayed by employers with 15 or more employees as well as federal contractors. Some are wondering when a new poster will be required, however, the timing is uncertain. We'll keep watching for updates, so stay tuned.
And, finally, most employers know that employees may take time off under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act for themselves or to take care of a spouse, parent, or child. But what about siblings? Generally, siblings aren’t covered under the FMLA, but in a recent court case out of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, a judge ruled in favor of an employee taking leave to care for an adult sibling because the employee was acting in the role of a parent to the sibling. The fancy term for this is “in loco parentis.” Employers might not realize the scope of how such relationships work. This case is a good example of how one court ruled. But it doesn’t mean that employers should assume all siblings are suddenly included under the FMLA. The point is, employers need to look at all the facts involved before denying an employee’s FMLA leave.
That’s all the HR news we have time for today. Thanks for watching. See you next month!
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NewsMonthly Roundup VideoBusiness planning - Motor CarrierUSAEnforcement - DOTEnglishBusiness planning - Motor CarrierIndustry NewsFederal Motor Carrier Safety RegulationsFleet SafetyRisk Management TransportationRisk Management - Motor CarrierCMV drivingFocus AreaFleet OperationsFleet TaxesFleet taxesTransportationRegistration and Permits - Motor CarrierVideo
Transportation Monthly Round Up - January 2025
In this January 2025 round up, we will discuss a freeze on new regulations, CARB, and new tolls in New York City. Let's get started.
The Trump administration has issued a freeze on new regulations. A new executive order says agencies like the Department of Transportation cannot propose or issue any new rules or even guidance until newly appointed agency leaders have had a chance to review them.
As a result, the FMCSA has already withdrawn a couple of proposals that were awaiting White House approval, including a proposal to update the entry-level driver training rules and another that would have amended the safety regulations to account for the use of automated driving systems.
The Department of Health also withdrew a proposal to implement hair testing for federal workers. These types of regulatory freezes are not uncommon; President Trump issued a similar order in 2017.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleet regulation is on hold as of January 14, 2025, since CARB withdrew its waiver request with the Environmental Protection Agency.
The program’s goal was to reduce emissions by requiring that fleets transition to zero-emissions vehicles over the next several years. CARB’s waiver was necessary because the Advanced Clean Fleet program exceeded the federal regulations. Without the waiver, CARB would not be able to move forward with the program.
Since CARB has withdrawn the waiver, the program will not move forward at this time. This means, at least for the foreseeable future, high-priority fleets don't have to worry about complying with registration and zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) transition requirements.
Vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in New York City are now being charged a toll. The program, created last year and implemented in early January 2025, has so far withstood challenges to its implementation, but several lawsuits are still pending.
Drivers in trucks or buses are charged for every entry into the Congestion Relief Zone. Electronic detection points have been created at entrances to and exits from the tolling zone.
Toll rates vary by vehicle, time of day, and payment method. E-ZPass is the most convenient way to pay the toll. Vehicles without an E-ZPass pay the “Tolls by Mail” rate, which is up to 50 percent more. If you’re planning a trip into New York City, remember to factor in this new surcharge.
That’s it for this month’s round up. Stay safe, and thanks for watching.
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EHS Monthly Round Up - January 2025
In this January 2025 monthly roundup video, we'll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news.
Hi everyone! Welcome to the monthly news roundup video, where we’ll review the most impactful environmental health and safety news. There’s a lot going on, so let’s get started!
As happens at the start of most incoming presidential administrations, a freeze has been placed on all regulatory activity at the federal level, giving the new administration time to review agencies’ plans. The Office of Management and Budget, which must approve most rulemaking activities, has sent numerous pending rules back to the agencies for review. In addition, OSHA withdrew its infectious diseases proposed rule and its COVID-19 in healthcare rule prior to the inauguration.
OSHA’s penalties increased on January 15. The maximum penalty amounts for serious and other-than-serious violations increased to $16,550. For willful or repeated violations, the maximum penalty increased to $165,514 per violation.
OSHA updated its directive on injury and illness recordkeeping policies and procedures. While it’s intended for OSHA compliance officers, employers can use the information to help with recordkeeping compliance.
Fewer workers died on the job in 2023, as fatal work injuries decreased 3.7 percent from 2022. Transportation incidents remained the most frequent type of fatal event, accounting for over 36 percent of all occupational fatalities.
California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board voted to adopt a permanent silica standard. If approved, it would extend and strengthen the state’s emergency temporary standard, which was put in place in December 2023.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health updated its List of Hazardous Drugs in Healthcare Settings. This is a resource for employers and employees in identifying drugs that are hazardous to the health and safety of those who handle them.
Turning to environmental news, EPA released the biannual update of the nonconfidential TSCA inventory. The inventory helps facilities determine their regulatory requirements for the chemicals they use or plan to use.
And finally, EPA added new Management Method Codes to describe how hazardous waste will be managed after temporary storage and transfer. As of January 1st, hazardous waste handlers must use the codes on the Biennial Report Waste Generation and Management forms.
Thanks for tuning in to the monthly news roundup. We’ll see you next month!
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2026-01-08T06:00:00Z
NewsSafety & HealthChange NoticesChange NoticeGeneral Industry SafetyOccupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), DOLHazard CommunicationHazard CommunicationEnglishFocus AreaUSA
OSHA Final Rule: Hazard Communication Standard; Corrections
OSHA is correcting several inadvertent errors in its Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). Most errors relate to the HCS final rule published in the Federal Register on May 20, 2024. On October 9, 2024, the agency issued a corrections notification and technical amendment to correct errors in that final rule which the agency believed could lead to confusion during the classification process or errors on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDSs) if not expeditiously corrected. Following publication of the October 9, 2024 corrections notification and technical amendment, OSHA continued its review of the regulatory text and identified additional minor and typographical errors in the regulatory text and appendices to the HCS. OSHA is issuing this correction document to address these additional minor errors. OSHA is also making one technical amendment to an appendix of the HCS unrelated to the May 20, 2024 final rule.
DATES: The corrections in this document are effective January 8, 2026. Published in the Federal Register January 8, 2026, page 562.
View final rule.
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Copyright 2026 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.