News from Ollis/Akers/Arney Human Resources Consulting

Human Resources & Business Consulting Newsletter

June 2026

Supporting Employee Financial Wellness

Employees experiencing financial stress are more likely to report distractions at work, increased stress and burnout, delayed healthcare decisions, and reduced retirement savings participation. In addition to concern over their employees' well-being, for employers, these financial concerns directly affect workplace productivity, engagement, absenteeism, and retention.

The good news is that employers can play a vital role in supporting employees as they build financial confidence and resilience. Promoting financial wellness strategies and providing supportive resources can help employees regain a sense of control over their financial future.

Read the article HERE

Download article HERE

How an Extra Biweekly Payroll Period in 2026 Impacts Employee Benefits

For employers that use a biweekly payroll schedule, 2026 will be an unusual year. Due to the way the calendar falls and the placement of the New Year's Day federal holiday, many organizations that typically run 26 biweekly payrolls will instead issue 27 paychecks during the year.

At first glance, this may seem like a payroll-only issue affecting pay timing or salary calculations. While payroll is part of the overall situation, an extra cycle can also have significant downstream effects on employee benefits, including contribution limits, payroll deductions and employee communications. HR and benefits teams should understand these impacts early to avoid benefits issues and employee confusion near the end of the year.

DOL Rescinds 2024 Final Overtime Rule

Summary:

April 26, 2024 - the DOL published a final rule amending the current requirements that white-collar employees must satisfy to qualify for FLSA overtime exemptions.

Later that year - the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas vacated the DOL's final rule on a nationwide basis, returning the standard salary level for EAP employees to $35,568 per year and $107,432 per year for HCEs (highly compensated employees).

May 14, 2026 - the DOL announced a technical amendment rescinding the 2024 final rule.

Read the Legal Update HERE

Jury Verdict Highlights Risk in Denying Pregnancy Accommodations

On March 18, 2026, an Ohio jury awarded $22.5 million in a wrongful death lawsuit related to a company’s denial of a pregnant worker’s work-from-home accommodation request, finding that the company’s action was a substantial factor in the death of the employee’s baby.

This case shows how an employer can be held liable for negligence or wrongful death if its accommodation denial results in an aggravated medical condition, injury, or death. The eight-figure jury award here is far from typical in litigation concerning pregnancy accommodations in the workplace, but it serves as a reminder that the stakes of these employment decisions are very high, and mistakes can lead to significant consequences for both employee and employer.

Read the Ogletree Deakins article HERE

HSA/HDHP Limits Will Increase for 2027

On May 29, 2026, the IRS released Revenue Procedure 2026-24 to provide inflation-adjusted limits for health savings accounts (HSAs) and high deductible health plans (HDHPs) for 2027. The IRS is required to publish these limits by June 1st of each year.

These limits include the following:

The maximum HSA contribution limit
The minimum deductible amount for HDHPs; and
The maximum out-of-pocket expense limit for HDHPs

These limits vary based on whether an individual has self-only or family coverage under an HDHP.

Employers allowing employees to make pre-tax HSA contributions should update their plan communications with the increased contribution limits.

Read Article HERE

IRS Releases ACA Pay-or-Play Penalties for 2027

On May 4, 2026, the IRS released updated penalty amounts for 2027 related to the employer shared responsibility ("pay-or-play") rules under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

The ACA requires applicable large employers (ALEs) to offer affordable, minimum-value (MV) health coverage to their full-time employees (and dependents) or potentially pay a penalty to the IRS. An ALE is an employer with at least 50 full-time employees, including full-time equivalent employees, during the preceding calendar year.

An ALE may be subject to a pay-or-play penalty if at least one full-time employee receives a premium tax credit for purchasing individual health coverage through an Exchange and the ALE did not meet certain obligations. Depending on the circumstances, one of two penalties may apply under the pay-or-play rules.

Read more HERE

Midyear Qualifying Events Cheat Sheet

Life doesn't always line up neatly with open enrollment. When a significant life event occurs, employees may be able to update their benefits outside of open enrollment (known as a midyear election change or qualifying event). Two separate laws govern midyear changes:

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
Internal Revenue Code Section 125

This is important information for employers to be aware of to help their employees navigate benefit offerings.

Read all the details HERE

June is National Safety Month

This annual campaign, organized by the National Safety Council (NSC), highlights efforts to prevent injuries and deaths both in and out of the workplace. It also provides various learning opportunities for employees, allows employers to share their pride in safety and encourages employees across industry lines to pledge to work safely.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 5,000 work-related fatalities and 2.5 million recordable cases of nonfatal injuries and illnesses take place in the private sector each year. These findings underscore the importance of promoting workplace safety.

Weekly Initiatives for 2026

Moving Safety Forward (June 1-6)
Staying Safe on the Roads (June 7-13)
Promoting Holistic Worker Health (June 14-20)
Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls (June 21-30)

By educating their employees on these topics, employers can create healthier and safer work environments. For additional safety-related information and resources and to sign up for National Safety Month, visit the NSC's website.

For more detailed information click HERE

As seen in Springfield Business Journal's Ask the Experts