News from Ollis/Akers/Arney Human Resources Consulting

Human Resources & Business Consulting Newsletter

January 2026

Employee Benefits: Year in Review and the Road Ahead

As we conclude a busy 2025 year in benefits, 2026 starts off with the recent White House release of The Great Healthcare Plan. The plan mentions drug prices, insurance premiums, accountability and transparency. As more information becomes available, plan sponsors would be wise to review past compliance requirements and prepare for another busy year ahead. The following non-exhaustive summary highlights some key compliance topics for 2025 and 2026 including:

Group Health Plans
Affordable Care Act Reporting
Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 requirements
Retirement Plans

Read the Spencer Fane article HERE

Click here to download Attraction and Retention Trends

Cannabis Rescheduling Order:

Implications for Employment Law and Workplace Practice

On December 18, President Trump issued an Administrative Order directing the Attorney General to complete the rulemaking process to reschedule marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the federal Controlled Substances Act.

Although the Order focuses primarily on expanding medical marijuana and cannabidiol research, its language—and the federal findings it endorses—may have potentially significant implications in the future for employment law and workplace practices across the United States.

Read the Legal Analysis article HERE

DOL Opinion Letters Interpreting FLSA & FMLA

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division issued four Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and two Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) opinion letters on January 5, 2026.

Read Article HERE

DHS Issues H-1B Visa Cap Selection Process

On Dec. 29, 2025, the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule that significantly amends regulations governing the process by which the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) selects H-1B registrations.

Read Details HERE

Download the ACA Reporting Deadlines

Finding Meaning at Work

Burnout is a combination of mental, physical and emotional exhaustion that develops gradually. It’s a serious condition that, if left unaddressed, can impact you and your organization. One way to combat burnout is by finding meaning in your work.

Employee burnout has reached its highest levels in nearly a decade, according to a Glassdoor report.

To read the full article, click HERE.