Best of BLR’s HR ‘Trends in 20’ webinar series

A year in review

Navigating the complex world of employment law compliance and HR management requires constant attention to emerging trends, new regulations, and evolving best practices. To help HR professionals stay ahead of the curve, we offer expert-driven insights through our Trends in 20 webinar series, delivering timely updates on the most pressing topics in human resources and employment law. With a combined experience of over 100 years, our team of in-house employment law experts provides invaluable resources, including training courses, guidance documents, and real-time updates as laws change. This series of webinars allows HR professionals to get the knowledge they need, when they need it, in a concise format—usually less than 20 minutes!

The Trends in 20 webinar series offers free, expert insights on a wide range of topics. From the latest developments in independent contractor rules to updates on leave laws, non-compete agreements, and other employment regulations, these sessions are packed with critical information for anyone involved in managing employees, ensuring compliance, and making strategic HR decisions. Below, we’ll dive into the three most-attended webinars of the year and explain how these sessions are helping HR professionals stay informed and make better decisions for their businesses.

1. Navigating the new independent contractor rule

One of the most talked-about legal changes in the world of employment law this year was the U.S. Department of Labor’s new independent contractor rule, which took effect on March 11, 2024. The rule aims to provide clearer guidance on how to classify workers as either employees or independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This classification is essential for employers to ensure compliance with wage and hour laws, including minimum wage, overtime pay, and other legal protections.

In our most watched Trends in 20 HR webinar, BLR Senior Legal Editor Jennifer Brown, J.D., provided a deep dive into the new rule and its implications for businesses across a range of industries. The rule introduces a six-factor test that is designed to assess the level of economic dependence a worker has on the employer, which in turn helps determine whether the worker should be classified as an employee or an independent contractor. These factors include considerations such as the nature of the work, the degree of control the employer has over the worker, and whether the worker is integral to the employer’s core business operations.

Jennifer’s insights focused on the importance of thoroughly understanding this new test to avoid potential misclassification, which could lead to legal challenges and significant financial penalties. She also provided updates on procedural developments related to the rule’s implementation, as well as ongoing legal challenges that could influence the rule’s application.

With businesses increasingly relying on gig workers, freelancers, and contractors, this webinar is a must-watch for any HR professional or employer who needs to stay compliant with the new regulations and mitigate potential risks.

2. HR outlook: expanding rights and protections for employees in 2024

Employment law is constantly evolving, and understanding these changes is essential for HR professionals who want to make informed decisions and maintain a fair and compliant workplace. BLR’s HR Outlook: Expanding Rights and Protections for Employees in 2024 webinar covered the latest trends in employee rights and protections that are set to impact businesses in the coming year.

BLR Managing Editor Celeste Duke, SPHR, provides a comprehensive overview of key employment law trends, including the expansion of paid family and medical leave laws, which continue to gain traction across states and at the federal level. In addition to paid leave, she highlighted new restrictions on non-compete agreements and non-disclosure agreements, two areas of significant legal activity in recent years. Many states are introducing legislation that limits the scope and enforceability of these agreements, which have traditionally been used to protect employers’ interests but can also restrict employees’ ability to change jobs or start new businesses.

The webinar also covered recent actions by federal agencies such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Department of Labor (DOL), which have focused on expanding protections against discrimination and harassment in the workplace. With employee protections continuing to evolve, HR professionals must stay informed to avoid costly legal missteps and ensure a more inclusive, supportive environment for workers.

Gain the latest insights and a forward-looking view on the growing employee rights movement. This on-demand session is highly valuable for anyone responsible for managing compliance and employee relations in the workplace.

3. Navigating the latest in employment law: Leave, tip credits, and noncompete agreements

In October, our team of HR subject matter experts came together for a deep dive into four key trends that are shaping the modern workplace. ‘Navigating the latest in employment law’ focused on some of the most current and complex issues HR professionals are facing today such as:

• State-level expansions of paid and sick leave laws
• The ongoing legal challenges related to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed ban on non-compete agreements
• Updates on anti-discrimination laws in states like California, Illinois, and New Hampshire, and
• The status of the tip credit under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

The issue of paid and sick leave laws has become a focal point for many states, with several passing new mandates or expanding existing requirements. This section of the webinar offered insights into how businesses can stay compliant as these laws proliferate across different jurisdictions. For example, in some states, the definition of “sick leave” has expanded to include mental health days, while others have introduced mandatory paid family leave policies.

The team also explored the implications of the FTC’s ongoing efforts to ban non-compete clauses, which have traditionally been used by employers to prevent employees from joining competitors or starting their own businesses within a certain period after leaving a company. The legal battles around this issue are ongoing, but HR professionals need to understand the potential changes to non-compete enforcement, especially as states like California have long had restrictions on such agreements.

Another critical topic in this session was the tip credit under the FLSA. A recent ruling by the 5th Circuit Court has left many employers unsure about how to proceed with tip credit compliance. BLR’s experts explained the ruling and its impact on businesses that rely on tipping as part of employee compensation. With different courts and agencies weighing in on this issue, staying up to date on the latest developments is essential to avoid violations and costly fines.

Learn practical advice and actionable insights for HR teams to keep their policies and practices aligned with the latest regulations.