2026 Employee Handbook Overhaul: How the OBBB Act Impacts Your Employee Handbook

Overview:

If there was ever a time to rethink your employee handbook, it’s now. While 2026 may seem like the natural timeline for rolling out a new handbook, the urgency has less to do with the calendar year and more to do with the significant workplace changes triggered by the new administration and its updated policies, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB Act).
 

The OBBB Act introduces major changes affecting employee benefits, payroll administration, and employer reporting obligations. These developments require immediate attention and thoughtful updates to employee handbook policies.

Additional Handbook Updates to Consider for 2025–2026

Beyond the OBBB Act, employers must also prepare for ongoing regulatory and workplace shifts, including: 

• Remote and hybrid work policies
• Artificial intelligence (AI) use in the workplace
• Updated paid leave laws
• Anti-harassment, equity, and inclusion requirements
• Employee classification and wage-hour compliance

During this session, participants will:

• Identify and prepare for common employee handbook compliance risks
• Learn which new policies must be added now that the OBBB Act is law
• Gain awareness of federal, state, and local regulations impacting employers
• Understand the most frequent handbook violations and how to mitigate them
• Learn how the Department of Labor (DOL) and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) have adapted enforcement priorities following the OBBB Act
• Understand which regulatory agencies oversee specific regulations and how to manage risk
• Identify “must-have” handbook policies every employer needs
• Learn how AI is reshaping the workplace and what guardrails are required to avoid discrimination claims
• Understand the risks associated with employee social media activity and employer response obligations
• Learn how managers and supervisors can either support compliance—or create liability
• See how training serves as a first line of Défense in employment litigation

Why You Should Attend:

The OBBB Act is only one piece of a much larger compliance puzzle. Federal law is no longer the sole driver of workplace policy—state and local regulations increasingly supersede federal rules, particularly when they provide greater employee protections. For employers operating in multiple states, or managing remote and hybrid workforces, compliance challenges multiply quickly. Without timely updates, even well-intentioned employers can find themselves exposed to legal risk. This training will help ensure your organization is prepared, compliant, and confident heading into 2026
 

Ask your question directly from our expert during the Q&A session following the live event.