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Countdown to January 1: New Year Rings in 100+ New Employment Laws

It's fair to say 2021 has been a roller-coaster ride for HR professionals. In the wake of COVID-19, they've had to plan and implement return-to-the-workplace policies and procedures, vaccination and COVID testing mandates, and other health and safety protocols, such as procedures to screen employees and respond to potential COVID-19 exposures in the workplace. They've also had to be nimble and creative in response to the pandemic's impact on the physical and mental health of colleagues and employees, the tightening labor market, staffing shortages and more.

While we can't predict everything 2022 will bring, there is one thing HR teams can count on - and prepare for: the arrival at new year of a bevy of new employment laws (as well as amendments to existing laws, new regulations, provisions in existing laws that take effect and more). This year they total more than 100 at the federal, state and local levels.

To help organizations get ready to comply, we've summarized the key topic areas covered and provided a list of the laws, organized by jurisdiction. Employers should review these developments and make any needed updates to policies and procedures.

Employers with operations in California should become familiar with forthcoming changes to the state's family and medical leave law, and new developments affecting workplace safety, settlement agreements, wage theft and more. For more insight, see our separate round-up of January 1 compliance requirements for California.

Keep in mind that many jurisdictions will have new posting requirements in 2022, so take time now to review and update applicable federal and state and local workplace posters.