What could Trump's executive orders mean for HR?

There’s just something about January that always makes it seem like the longest month of the year. Those in the HR industry have had much more than wintry weather and post-holiday blues to shake off as the Trump administration has hit the ground running in its first weeks back in office with an onslaught of changes that have the potential to shake things up for employers and their employees.?

This issue of Let’s Talk HR can help you cut through the noise with key updates, including:

• 2025 Legislative Changes – You’ll want to bookmark this resources page devoted to covering and analyzing new legislation relevant to the HR world. ?
• Trump’s First Month – A deep dive into early executive actions and what HR teams should consider doing now. ?
• ACA Updates – Two new laws are helping ease employer burdens.

Here's to hoping February is a little calmer. Regardless, you’ve got the tools and resources at your disposal to help stay informed and plan ahead. Let’s go.

2025 Legislative Changes

Preparing for Potential Legislative Changes in 2025: Insights for Employers

The first month of the second Trump administration has?been a whirlwind with a flurry of executive orders that could affect employers and employees. (You can read more about that in our blog article below.)

We’ve created a dedicated resources page that will be regularly updated throughout 2025 as additional legislation, and its possible ramifications for the HR world, comes into focus.

Important topics we’re covering:

• Affordable Care Act: Help With What Employers Need to Know
• Help to Stay Ahead With I-9 and E-Verify Updates
• Helping You Maximize the Benefits of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit
• Unemployment Management and State-Level Reforms

You’ll find webinars, articles, videos, eBooks, guides, and more to help you face whatever might come next. You can even subscribe to have those updates delivered directly to your inbox.

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Trump’s First Month

President Trump’s sweeping executive orders on immigration, DEI programs, federal hiring, and more could reshape the U.S. government while also having major implications for HR professionals.

With so much uncertainty in the air, what is an HR professional to do? Fortunately, our recent blog article takes a deep dive into the administration’s recent actions through an HR lens. The article breaks down what has happened, some of the most pertinent info for employers and employees to know, and what HR teams can actually do to better prepare.

Topics covered, include:

• Stricter immigration rules and their potential effect on Form I-9 processes
• DEI rollbacks that could affect unemployment claims and more
• Federal workforce changes
• Possible increases in identity fraud scams that could target your employees

In many cases, the best approach could be to wait and see how policies develop, but there are some proactive steps employers can take now. Check out the article for some of the most immediate action items that can help you and your team better navigate these shifts.

I-9: Are You Planning to Self-Audit?

Recent campaign promises and policies during President Trump's first term both point to a potential increase in I-9 audits.

Are you planning on taking steps to prepare??Let us know by voting in our quick poll below.

ACA - New Legislation Helps Ease Employer Burden

Two new laws, the "Paperwork Burden Reduction Act" and the "Employer Reporting Improvement Act," are bringing significant changes to ACA reporting, making it easier and less time-consuming for HR professionals. These changes, effective for filings after December 31, 2024, introduce key updates. While these updates offer some relief, navigating the complexities of these and other changes requires careful planning.

Our recent article helps break down these new bills, including important considerations for employers. Learn what the changes might mean for your organization and how you can help streamline your ACA reporting process.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll find in the article:

• Simplified Form 1095-C Delivery: Discover the new alternative method for furnishing forms and what it could mean for your communication strategy, especially for employees in states with individual mandates.
• Increased Reporting Flexibility: Learn about changes to Tax Identification Number (TIN) reporting and expanded options for electronic distribution of ACA forms.
• Extended Deadlines and Clarity: Help understand the extended 90-day response window for IRS Letter 226J and the new 6-year statute of limitations for Employer Shared Responsibility Provision (ESRP) penalties.

Don’t get caught off guard by these updates. Read the full article to find out more about helping simplify your ACA reporting to better meet your regulatory requirements.

QUICK CHATS

• As Trump promises immigration crackdown, the I-9 landscape is poised for upheaval. ?
• Identity Theft Protection Week: Help protect your employees’ identities if their information is exposed in a data breach. ?
• SHRM reveals its top workplace issues facing HR pros, CHROs, and CEOs. ?
• Doomscrolling crushing your workers? Here are three ways to help boost employee wellbeing.

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Looking for more HR talk? Visit our Workforce Wise? blog.

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