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HR Pieces:
September 2025 News
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Greetings!
It’s September and that means change is in the air! From new wage payment rules for Missouri employers to workplace accommodation updates in Kansas City, there’s plenty happening that business leaders need to keep on their radar.
We’re also seeing big shifts at the national level, with the federal government rolling out an “AI Action Plan.” And while technology is reshaping HR in big ways—especially recruiting—the heart of good hiring still comes down to people.
At HR Advantage, our advisors are here to help you cut through the noise, stay compliant, and keep your workplace running smoothly.
Thanks for trusting us to be your HR partner as you navigate these changes and opportunities.
With gratitude,
The HR Advantage Team-
Lynette, Camille, Karla, Dana, Liz, Seth, Sarah, Anita, Erinn, Dana, and Diane
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Lynette Weatherford MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, President
Email Lynette
877.894.0202 ext 4
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Camille Knowles PHR,
SHRM-CP, HR Advisor
Email Camille
877.894.0202 ext 3
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Karla Callaway BS
Administrative Services / Project Advisor
Email Karla
877.894.0202 ext 2
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Dana Baldwin BS, SPHR,
SHRM-SCP, HR Advisor
Email Dana
877.894.0202 ext 1
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Elizabeth Hurst MBA
Business Development Director
Email Elizabeth
877.894.0202 ext 5
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Seth Bunn BS
Recruitment Advisor
Email Seth
877.894.0202 ext 6
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Sarah Matthews BA
Business Development Manager
Email Sarah
(877) 894-0202 ext 8
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Anita King MA, SHRM-CP
Learning & Development Advisor
Email Anita
877.894.0202 Ext 7
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Erinn Johnson
HR Advisor Assistant
Behind the Scenes
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Dana Snyder, MS, BS, SHRM-CP
HR Advisor Assistant
Email Dana
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Diane Stites, MA, MBA, SHRM-SCP
HR Advisor Assistant
Email Diane
| | HR Hotline | Email | 877-894-0202 ext. 8 | | |
Our Mission Statement:
We deliver customized solutions to make HR simple, strategic, and human- so you can focus on what matters: Your Business. Your People. Your Peace of Mind
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September HR News
- Wage Payment Update for Missouri Employers
- Kansas City Employers: Pregnancy Accommodation Update
- Trump Administration Unveils “America’s AI Action Plan”
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AI & Recruitment: Why the Best Hires Still Need Humans!
- Question of the Week
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Wage Payment Update for Missouri Employers
Starting August 28, 2025, Missouri employers will have new options for how they pay employees. Under updated state law, wages may now be paid (in full or in part) not only by cash, check, or direct deposit, but also in specie legal tender (gold or silver coins/bullion) or electronic specie currency (a digital representation of physical gold or silver), if an employee requests it and the employer agrees.
Employers who choose to pay in physical specie are responsible for verifying the weight and purity of the coins or bullion before payment. It’s important to note that, unless expressly agreed to in a contract, employers are not required to pay in specie or electronic specie. Federal reserve notes remain acceptable for all debts.
Source: Brightmine
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Kansas City Employers: Pregnancy Accommodation Update!
Kansas City, Missouri, employers with six or more employees should be aware of local requirements related to pregnancy accommodations. Under the Kansas City Human Relations Ordinance, employers must provide reasonable accommodations for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions—unless doing so would create an undue hardship on business operations.
This local requirement applies in addition to the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA), which covers employers with 15 or more employees. Together, these laws mean employers should:
- Provide reasonable accommodations for pregnancy-related conditions (examples include extra breaks, access to water, or adjusting physical tasks).
- Avoid requiring employees to take leave if another accommodation can be provided.
- Never take adverse action against an employee for requesting or using accommodations.
- Train supervisors and HR on how to recognize and respond to accommodation requests.
Employers in Kansas City should review their employee handbooks and consider adding a Pregnancy Accommodation Statement to demonstrate compliance and to educate both employees and managers.
Source: Brightmine
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Trump Administration Unveils “America’s AI Action Plan”
The Trump administration has launched a sweeping initiative—“America’s AI Action Plan”—to propel the U.S. toward global dominance in artificial intelligence. Structured around three key pillars—innovation, infrastructure, and international leadership—the plan emphasizes deregulation, rapid AI adoption, and workforce empowerment.
What This Means for Employers and HR
- Workforce development is front and center. The Department of Labor is tasked with expanding AI literacy through funding for skills training, apprenticeships, and the creation of an AI Workforce Research Hub to study labor market impacts.
- Deregulation and streamlined policy aim to accelerate innovation—this includes reducing regulatory hurdles, easing exporting rules, and encouraging open-source AI development.
- A “worker-first” message prevails. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer emphasized that AI is intended to augment, not replace, workers—highlighting reskilling opportunities and evolving job roles.
What HR Should Keep in Mind:
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Shift in skills demand - Evaluate current workforce capabilities and invest in AI-related training or apprenticeships.
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Policy and compliance tracking - Monitor regulatory changes and adjust internal policies accordingly—especially around training benefits.
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Talent retention & deployment - Support reskilling programs and prepare for evolving job roles to keep employees engaged and relevant.
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Strategic positioning - Frame AI initiatives as employee growth opportunities to align with the administration’s public messaging.
Why This Matters
- Big push for upskilling: Expect expanded training budgets and incentives to equip employees for AI-enhanced roles.
- Regulatory environment shifting: More flexibility—but also more uncertainty—around AI policy and compliance.
- Messaging opportunity for HR: Leaders can position AI as a growth tool, not a threat, helping manage employee sentiment during transitions.
Source: SHRM
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AI & Recruitment: Why the Best Hires Still Need Humans!
AI is shaking up recruiting and fast. It can scan thousands of resumes in seconds and spot patterns in ways we never could before. AI tools are making the hiring process quicker, smoother, and more efficient.
But here’s the truth: hiring isn’t just about data—it’s about people. The best results happen when technology and human expertise work hand-in-hand.
- Negotiation & nuance – AI finds the skills; recruiters uncover what really motivates candidates and close the deal.
- Big-picture thinking – AI delivers data; recruiters connect the dots between talent, culture, and goals.
- Fairness & balance – AI can carry bias; recruiters ensure hiring stays diverse and impartial.
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Gut feel & intuition – AI predicts; recruiters read the human signals that data can’t capture.
At the end of the day, AI brings the speed, but people bring the fit. By blending cutting-edge tools with trusted expertise, hiring becomes smarter, fairer, and more human. That’s exactly how HR Advantage approaches recruitment. We combine advanced tools with decades of HR experience to help you find talent that doesn’t just look good on paper, but thrives on your team.
Ready to hire smarter? Let’s talk recruitment.
Source: OLEE
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HRA Employee Spotlight
🌟Meet Karla Callaway🌟
Administrative Services & HR Project Advisor
We’re proud to shine the spotlight on Karla, an essential part of our team who keeps everything running smoothly behind the scenes. Her dedication to coworkers and clients shows up every day, making a big difference in our workplace culture.
Her HR advice?
“Communication is crucial," & “Being adaptable is a must in the ever-changing world of HR.”
Fun Facts👇
🌸 Favorite Local Spot: Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden
☕ Go-To Coffee Order: White chocolate mocha
🎬 Favorite Movie: The Princess Bride
👻 Fun Fact: She loves a good ghost story
🎶 Dream Dinner Guests: Freddie Mercury, David Bowie & George Harrison
🏡 Local Roots: Born and raised in the 417—now raising her own family here
🌳 Why She Loves the 417: “It’s the perfect mix of city and country, with something to enjoy every season.”
Karla’s dedication, expertise, and commitment to excellence make her an invaluable part of our team. We’re proud to have her contributing to our continued success!
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HRA is Celebrating 20 Years in Business!
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We’re proud to be celebrating 20 years in business, partnering with hardworking teams like yours to navigate change, grow stronger, and stay compliant every step of the way!
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Recruitment Services
tailored to your needs...
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Our team offers knowledge on effective recruitment strategies.
We are here to step in when time and resources to recruit internally are scarce.
If you're struggling to find great candidates for that critical role, let our expert team help...
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Candidate Search & Placement
Leave top talent recruitment in the hands of seasoned experts who will conduct a full-scale, comprehensive search to deliver the best match for your company.
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Recruitment Support
The beginning stages of a candidate search can be the most tedious and time-consuming. Let our team support your efforts with posting, monitoring and pre-screening activities.
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Candidate Profiles
HR Advantage takes the time to source and screen active candidates in advance to simplify the recruitment process for employers. Preview some of our featured candidates on our website!
| | Let our expert recruiters help you attract and hire your next quality employee. Contact us today for more information! | | |
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