Skip to content

The HRTech Wire · topic

Policy / legal

HR-technology Policy / legal — every story wired to the companies and people behind it.

30 / 56
HR complianceHR Morning· Oct 22, 2026

California’s New Workplace AI Laws: 8 Takeaways for HR

California Governor Newsom signed a package of workplace AI laws on September 30, 2026 that directly constrain how employers use automated decision systems (ADS) in discipline, termination, and surveillance — requiring human corroboration before acting on ADS output (SB 947), banning AI-enabled emotion and neural monitoring (AB 1883), prohibiting bathroom surveillance (AB 1331), and mandating enhanced Cal/WARN notices when AI or automation drives mass layoffs (SB 951). HR leaders should audit every AI and monitoring tool in use, assess reliance on ADS in disciplinary workflows, build genuine h

Advertisement
UK regulationHR Grapevine· Oct 14, 2026

IR35 invoice | Cabinet Office on the hook for £38.5m bill to HMRC over IR35 non-compliance

The UK Cabinet Office faces a £38.5 million tax bill plus up to £8.9 million in penalties from HMRC after the government department reportedly failed to take reasonable care in applying IR35 off-payroll working rules dating back to 2017, according to HR Grapevine. The case is a high-profile reminder for HR and procurement leaders of the compliance stakes around contractor classification under IR35.

agentic AIGoogle News · agentic hiring / AI recruiting· Oct 13, 2026

SixFifty, a Paychex Company, Launches Agentic HR Compliance Specialist - Yahoo Finance

SixFifty, the legal-tech subsidiary of Paychex, has launched what it calls an Agentic HR Compliance Specialist — an autonomous AI agent designed to handle HR compliance tasks, according to Yahoo Finance. The move signals a major payroll and HCM incumbent pushing agentic AI into compliance workflows, a space HR buyers are watching closely for both efficiency gains and governance risk.

talent mobilityHR Grapevine· Oct 13, 2026

Non-compete reform | Burnham vows to curb non-compete clauses under 'Bosman ruling' for the innovation sector

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is pushing legislation to limit non-compete clauses in the innovation sector, according to HR Grapevine, framing the move as a "Bosman ruling"-style reform that would restrict employers' ability to lock in talent — a development HR and people-ops leaders in the UK tech and startup space should watch closely.

HR Morning· Oct 6, 2026

Employer Pays $3.66M in Back Pay, Front Pay Settlement

The NLRB's Region 6 has approved a $3.66 million settlement with Langeloth Metallurgical Co., covering back pay, front pay, missed 401(k) contributions, and related costs for 51 former strikers whom the company allegedly failed to reinstate after the UAW made an unconditional return-to-work offer in September 2021, according to HR Morning. The case illustrates the financial exposure employers face for reinstatement violations.

staffingHR Dive· Oct 6, 2026

Staffing firm draws EEOC ire for ‘only H1B’ job message

The EEOC has taken action against a staffing firm over a job posting that allegedly restricted applicants to H-1B visa holders, according to HR Dive — following through on Chair Andrea Lucas's stated priority of pursuing cases involving anti-American worker bias. HR-tech and recruiting platform operators should note the agency's active enforcement posture around discriminatory hiring language.

complianceHR Dive· Oct 2, 2026

EEOC sues Harvard to obtain hundreds of documents in DEI-related investigation

The EEOC has filed suit against Harvard University to compel the release of additional documents tied to a DEI-related investigation, according to HR Dive; Harvard argues the agency's document requests are "virtually boundless" and says it has already handed over more than 9,000 pages of materials. HR leaders should watch this case as it signals the EEOC's continued enforcement posture around DEI programs, with potential compliance implications for employers running similar initiatives.

complianceHR Dive· Oct 2, 2026

Firm settles EEOC charge that it let Indian staff work remotely, but not US employees

A firm has settled an EEOC charge alleging it granted remote-work privileges to Indian employees while denying the same to U.S. employees, according to HR Dive — a reminder that remote-work policies can constitute unlawful national-origin discrimination under federal law, with direct compliance implications for HR leaders setting flexible-work rules.

payroll complianceSAP Community · HCM blog· Oct 2, 2026

Say goodbye to cloning policy changed time recording profile! Effective-dated Time Valuation is here

SAP has launched Effective-Dated Time Valuation for its HCM time management module, allowing HR admins to version time calculation rules — such as overtime thresholds, shift premiums, and break deduction logic — with future or retroactive effective dates, eliminating the need to clone and mass-reassign Time Recording Profiles when collective bargaining agreements or legislation change. According to the SAP Community HCM blog, the feature also triggers automatic retroactive recalculations when historical errors are corrected, addressing a long-standing pain point for large, multi-country employ

CaliforniaHR Dive· Oct 1, 2026

California revamps AI protections for workers in flurry of bill signings

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a package of bills that, according to HR Dive, establishes what he describes as a "nation-leading framework" for protecting workers and consumers from AI-related risks — a regulatory move with direct implications for HR-tech vendors and employers deploying AI in hiring, performance, and workforce management.

DHRmap 2026 overview
Free · DHRmap 2026

Get the complete digital HR technology map

The full DHRmap — 760+ vendors · 54 categories — in high resolution. Enter your work email and we'll send you a personal download link, plus each new quarterly edition.