HR Compliance Weekly Roundup — September 8, 2026 to September 15, 2026
A weekly compilation of every HR compliance alert gathered from official US government sources.
Federal Updates
New FY 2025 H-2B Visa Rule Increases Caps and Enhances Portability
Effective: 2024-12-02 | ✅ Verified
The Department of Homeland Security and Department of Labor have released a final rule impacting H-2B visa limits and employee movement for the 2025 fiscal year. These updates provide critical relief for seasonal employers and introduce new flexibilities for workers transitioning between jobs.
The Department of Labor and Department of Homeland Security have issued a final rule increasing the H-2B visa cap for fiscal year 2025, effective December 2, 2024. This update provides additional temporary staffing opportunities for nonagricultural employers and introduces new portability provisions for workers moving between H-2B employers. HR professionals should review their seasonal staffing plans and ensure their compliance procedures align with these new federal regulations. Please visit the Department of Labor website for the full text and regulatory guidance.
Government sources:
https://www.federalregister.gov/index/2024/employment-and-training-administration
https://www.dol.gov/
Expanded Unemployment Benefit Eligibility for Freely Associated State Nationals
✅ Verified
The Department of Labor has issued new guidance to align unemployment insurance eligibility with recent federal legislation. This change expands access to benefits for certain nationals of the Freely Associated States.
The U.S. Department of Labor has issued UIPL 07-25, which implements changes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2024 regarding unemployment insurance. This guidance clarifies that certain nationals of the Freely Associated States—the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau—are now eligible for unemployment benefits. HR professionals should review the official guidance at the Department of Labor website to understand how these updates may affect state-level benefit administration. No immediate changes to payroll systems are required, but staying informed on state-specific implementation is recommended.
Government sources:
https://www.dol.gov/node/182956
https://www.dol.gov/
New OSHA Rule Mandates Proper PPE Fit for Construction Workers
Effective: 2024-12-11 | ✅ Verified
OSHA has updated its construction safety standards to mandate that all personal protective equipment (PPE) must properly fit each individual employee. This change ensures that workers are not compromised by gear that is too large or too small for their specific body types.
OSHA has finalized a new rule effective December 11, 2024, mandating that all personal protective equipment in the construction industry must properly fit each employee. Employers are now responsible for ensuring that the gear provided to their workforce is size-appropriate to prevent hazards associated with ill-fitting equipment. We recommend auditing your current PPE inventory and safety protocols to ensure immediate compliance with these updated federal standards. For full details, please visit the official OSHA and Federal Register websites.
Government sources:
https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/standards_guidance
https://www.federalregister.gov/topics/labor
Disclaimer: Sourced from official US government (.gov) references. Verify all legal citations before acting. Nothing here constitutes legal advice.