Employer Services

As employers enter 2026, many are discovering a hard truth: success is no longer determined by strategy or technology alone, but by the ability to execute consistently in an increasingly complex workforce environment. Our recent webinar with Madeline Laurano, Insights to Action: Resolutions for Employer Success, explores how HR, payroll, and compliance leaders can turn insight into measurable outcomes. Drawing on original research from Aptitude Research and real-world employer experiences, the webinar outlines the key trends shaping employer operations. Watch the webinar for actionable resolutions helping organizations reduce risk, improve compliance, and elevate the employee experience. Below is a recap of what we learned from Madeline. From Insight to Execution: Why 2026 Is a Turning Point for Employers The past several years have fundamentally reshaped employer operations. Organizations now manage workforces that span multiple states, employment types, and regulatory environments—all while facing growing compliance demands and pressure to do more with fewer resources. During the Insights to Action: Resolutions for Employer Success webinar, research revealed that most employers already have clear strategies in place. The real challenge lies elsewhere: execution. Employers struggle to apply those strategies consistently across locations, worker populations, and systems. Disconnected workflows, manual handoffs, and fragmented technology stacks create risk, inefficiency, and poor employee experiences. This webinar reframes the conversation for 2026, shifting the focus from planning and digital transformation to operational excellence. Key Workforce and Employer Trends Defining 2026 One of the central themes of the webinar is that employer success in 2026 will be defined by how well organizations manage complexity. Several key trends emerged: Operational Excellence Over Digital Transformation While technology investment has increased, results have not always followed. The webinar emphasizes moving beyond tool adoption to designing workflows that actually make work happen—consistently and compliantly. Automation With Guardrails Automation and AI continue to accelerate, but trust, transparency, and control are critical. Employers must ensure automation supports accuracy, compliance, and risk reduction—not just efficiency. Data as an Operational Asset Organizations are collecting more workforce data than ever, yet many struggle with data integrity and usability. The webinar highlights the importance of using data proactively to manage risk and improve decision-making, rather than treating it as static reporting. Embedded Services as a Competitive Advantage Research shows that service and domain expertise now outweigh product features in provider selection. Employers need partners who understand regulatory complexity and can actively support execution—not just software delivery. Compliance Moves Upstream Compliance is no longer a downstream, legal-only function. It directly impacts employee trust, brand reputation, and operational resilience. In 2026, compliance must be embedded into everyday workflows. Actionable Resolutions for Employer Success Rather than offering abstract predictions, the webinar delivers five practical resolutions employers can act on immediately: Design workforce operations around execution, not just strategy Simplify processes before automating to avoid scaling inefficiencies Make compliance part of the workflow, not a final checkpoint Treat employee experience as an operational outcome, not a soft metric Hold technology and service investments accountable to impact Together, these resolutions provide a roadmap for employers seeking to reduce risk, improve consistency, and deliver better outcomes for both the business and employees. Why This Webinar Matters Now As regulatory requirements expand and workforce models evolve, employers can no longer rely on reactive compliance or fragmented solutions. The Insights to Action webinar reinforces the importance of trusted partnerships, deep domain expertise, and services that help employers navigate change with confidence. For HR, payroll, and compliance leaders, this session offers more than insight—it offers a practical framework for success in 2026. Watch the Webinar On-Demand The Insights to Action: Resolutions for Employer Success webinar is available on demand through Experian Employer Services with expert insight from Madeline Laurano. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) What is the Insights to Action: Resolutions for Employer Success webinar about? The webinar focuses on how employers can move from strategy to execution in 2026 by addressing workforce complexity, compliance challenges, and operational inefficiencies. Who should watch this webinar? HR leaders, payroll professionals, compliance teams, and employer services decision-makers—especially those managing multi-state or complex workforces. What are the key takeaways from the webinar? Key takeaways include the shift to operational excellence, the importance of embedded compliance, automation with guardrails, and actionable resolutions employers can implement immediately. Does the webinar address compliance challenges? Yes. Compliance is a central theme, with guidance on embedding compliance into workflows to reduce risk and improve employee trust. Is the webinar available on demand? Yes. The session is recorded and available for on-demand viewing through Experian Employer Services. Get a head start on success in 2026 by speaking directly with one of our experts:

It's officially a new year, but that doesn't mean 2025 ended without some lingering effects. Employers face an evolving regulatory environment shaped by immigration reform, AI legislation, unemployment tax adjustments, and the uncertain fate of key programs like the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). In this blog post, we distill the most important takeaways from Experian Employer Services’ latest quarterly webinar, covering what HR, tax, and compliance teams need to know now to prepare for the rest of 2026. While Congress has been historically inactive in 2025—passing only 36 bills—the federal regulatory machine never stopped. In Experian Employer Services’ November webinar, “Quarterly Regulatory & Legislative Updates for Employers (Q4),” experts Gordon Middleton and Wayne Rottger broke down the compliance shifts that will shape the road ahead. Missed the live event? You can access the on-demand recording of Quarterly Regulatory & Legislative Updates (Q4) to hear directly from our compliance experts. This 60-minute session offers in-depth coverage of urgent topics including IRS withholding changes, state unemployment tax trends, and federal immigration enforcement. Watch now. Congressional Inactivity Doesn’t Mean Employer Invisibility Although Congress passed fewer bills than any time in modern history, executive action and federal agencies filled the gap. The president issued over 210 executive orders in 2025, and federal agencies like USCIS and DHS continued rapid-fire regulatory activity. Among the biggest changes: H-1B Visa Petitions: A controversial $100,000 petition fee for some H-1B applications was introduced in September and clarified in October. This policy is being challenged by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and others. EAD Auto Extensions: Effective October 30, 2025, DHS eliminated auto extensions for many Employment Authorization Document (EAD) categories—including asylum applicants, TPS holders, and refugees. E-Verify Enforcement: E-Verify operations remained active through the government shutdown, a signal that immigration vetting remains a priority. Employers were reminded to submit cases timely and document any delays. One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA): Big Withholding Changes Ahead The OBBBA continues to reshape how payroll and HR teams handle tipped employees: Tip Tracking: Employers must now identify “qualified tips” tied to specific occupations using Treasury-issued codes (nearly 70 new codes were released). 2026 W-2 Draft Changes: A new Box 14B will be introduced for these occupation codes, and Box 12 will include new reporting fields. Also expect a 15-line worksheet on the 2026 W-4 draft, which expands deductions. Employer Limitation: Employers can’t force employees to adopt the new W-4, so communication strategies must be prepared in advance. Shutdowns and Backlogs: IRS and SSA Still Expect Timely Compliance Despite mass furloughs at the IRS and other federal agencies, deadlines remain intact. Automated notices are still being sent, payments are due, and limited live support is available. SSA, DHS, and ICE continued operating at high capacity during the shutdown. State-Level Legislation: The Real Compliance Movers States continued to pass meaningful reforms while the federal government stalled. Highlights include: AI Restrictions: Illinois now prohibits AI in hiring if it leads to discriminatory outcomes. Wage Theft Notices: Rhode Island’s new hire notice requirement starts January 1, 2026. Pay Transparency: Massachusetts will require employers with 25+ employees to publish pay ranges starting October 2026. Paid Leave Expansions: Nebraska mandated new minimums for employers with as few as 11 employees. Unemployment Legislation: A Rising Risk for Employers 2025 saw 188 unemployment-related bills, with many focusing on expanding access to benefits—even to striking workers. Washington and Oregon passed laws granting UI benefits during trade disputes, raising red flags about future trust fund stability. Key takeaways: Trust Fund Risk: Most state UI trust funds are underfunded. Large-scale strikes could significantly drain them. FUTA Credit Reduction: California and the U.S. Virgin Islands are likely to face FUTA reductions in 2026. California alone owes $21 billion in federal UI loans. Taxable Wage Base Increases: Half of U.S. states are increasing UI taxable wage bases in 2026, affecting employer payroll budgets. WOTC Renewal: Hopeful, But Not Done Yet The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) expired December 31, 2025. Although it has historically been renewed retroactively, no bill has yet been introduced. Industry advocates report promising signs, but employers are advised to continue processing applications to remain retroactively compliant if renewal occurs. Final Key Takeaways Compliance Doesn’t Pause—even during a shutdown. Deadlines remain active. Prepare for OBBA Impact—new W-4 and W-2 formats will require payroll system updates. State Legislation Will Continue—watch for wage theft, pay transparency, and AI usage laws. UI Tax Changes Are Coming—plan for higher taxable wage bases and future trust fund pressures. WOTC Renewal Uncertain—continue screening and tracking candidates until further notice. Use a Trusted Compliance Partner—keeping up with regulatory changes is more than a full-time job. Stay informed year-round with the Experian Employer Services Blog. Subscribe for updates on legislative changes, compliance tools, and insights from our subject matter experts.

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Human resources (HR) departments are responsible for a wide range of tasks related to employees and their well-being, from recruitment and hiring to compensation, benefits, training and performance management. These job functions can overwhelm HR departments, especially if they don’t have the tools and resources to perform their daily tasks efficiently. In many HR departments, you’ll find HR technology that staff regularly uses to streamline operations, such as onboarding and offboarding. Whether you’re a large corporation or a growing startup, HR technology is essential for any well-run business. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about HR technology, from how it can help increase efficiency to emerging trends. What Is HR Technology? HR technology is an umbrella term that refers to the software and hardware human resources departments use to streamline operations and enhance HR processes and functions. The software, tools and systems that make up these technology solutions help automate repetitive tasks, improve efficiency and compliance, and provide essential data that HR departments can use to make informed decisions. Some of the common HR areas where technology is applied include: Performance management: Innovative HR technology can help with employee performance management by offering teams tools to set goals, receive feedback and track performance and evaluations to ensure employees progress in their careers. Learning and development: Many HR technology solutions offer learning management systems, which are platforms employees can access to build their skill sets and knowledge through online courses and virtual classrooms. Employee management: HR technology like Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) enables HR departments to manage employees by accessing employee data, automating workflows and generating reports. Compensation and benefits management: HR technology can also help automate compensation and benefits tasks, such as payroll, benefits enrollment and time tracking, which can help reduce errors, improve employee engagement and ensure compliance. These are just some of the many areas where HR technology can be instrumental in the success of a business’s operations and employee engagement. To see how HR technology can help your organization, keep reading to learn how HR technology can increase efficiency. How the Right Technology Can Increase Efficiency One of the primary benefits of HR technology is its ability to increase efficiency in a variety of ways. From boosting productivity to automating time-consuming tasks, there are several ways HR technology can streamline processes, automate workflows and boost your bottom line. Streamline Onboarding The employee onboarding process can be lengthy and expensive. Fortunately, HR technology can cut costs and speed up onboarding to fill roles quickly with qualified employees. Some of the ways HR technology can streamline onboarding include: Verification fulfillment: It’s important to ensure job applicants are who they say they are. With verification fulfillment services, you can easily verify an applicant’s employment and income with consent. I-9 administration: One part of the onboarding process is ensuring workers are authorized to work in the United States. HR technology can streamline the I-9 administration process to verify new hires’ identities and employment authorization. Onboarding portal: In many cases, HR technology provides a centralized onboarding portal where new hires can easily access all the necessary documents, information and forms needed to start their new roles, such as company policies, training materials and additional resources. E-signatures: Rather than waiting days or weeks for important onboarding forms and documents to be signed by a new hire, you can easily collect authorized e-signatures that eliminate physical paperwork and securely store digitized documents like tax forms, employment contracts and benefit enrollment forms. Streamline Offboarding In addition to streamlining employee onboarding, HR technology can streamline offboarding by automating tasks and ensuring compliance. With HR technology, you can help employees transition smoothly as they depart. Some ways HR technology can streamline offboarding include: Unemployment management: For employees let go from their positions, unemployment management solutions can help HR departments remain compliant with changing federal and state regulations, recover unemployment insurance overpayments and receive hearings representation, among other benefits. Compliance management: In certain scenarios, offboarding can lead to legal risks if the necessary steps aren’t taken. HR technology can help companies access compliant documents, follow the proper exit interview procedures and manage documentation. Receive feedback: It’s important to understand why employees may depart from your organization, and solutions can help you conduct exit interviews and receive feedback that can be used to gain valuable insights that can be used to improve your organization. Improve Retention Organizations need to focus on employee retention because the employee onboarding and offboarding processes can be costly and time-consuming. HR technology can help improve the employee lifecycle by increasing engagement and job satisfaction. Some ways an efficient HR department can improve retention with the right technology include: Tax withholding compliance solutions: Tax seasons can be stressful for employers and employees. HR technology, like tax withholding compliance solutions, can create a stress-free payroll process that ensures employees complete all required federal, state and local tax forms that improve accuracy and compliance. Year-end tax statements: Year-end payroll can be intense for HR departments. HR technology can help streamline year-end payroll reports and tax statements that allow HR teams to manage reissues and corrections with ease, deliver multiple tax statements on one form and increase the productivity of your HR department, all of which can increase employee satisfaction come tax time. Payroll tax services: Organizations with poor payroll tax services can drive employees away, especially if they’re experiencing issues like noncompliance or security issues. HR technology can offer payroll tax services that follow high-level security protocols, automate tasks and more. ACA reporting: With HR technology like ACA reporting services, you can ensure the timely delivery of ACA forms to employees to increase compliance and employee satisfaction. These are just some of the ways to improve employee retention. Other methods include performance management, learning and development platforms that enable employees to progress in their careers, employee recognition platforms that increase engagement and more. Maximize Tax Credit Opportunities HR technology can also increase efficiency by enabling HR departments to maximize tax credit opportunities. With solutions like tax credit management services, HR departments can quickly identify, apply and comply with tax credit requirements, such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, Employee Retention Tax Credit, Disaster Zone Tax Credit and Family Medical Leave Act Tax Credit. Trends in HR Technology As a business, staying up-to-date on current trends is always important to ensure you’re optimizing workflow and ensuring employees are satisfied. This is especially true in the post-pandemic world, where the landscape of many working environments has changed drastically, such as the rise in remote and hybrid work. More Transparency One of the top trends of HR technology is increasing transparency. With remote and hybrid work becoming the norm in many industries, employees can feel removed from their colleagues and culture. To prevent this, HR technology focuses on transparency by offering portals for feedback, performance evaluations and increasing employee privacy. Embracing Remote and Hybrid Work Remote and hybrid work is rising in the post-pandemic world, and technology must keep up. Recent trends show HR technology adapting to these needs by offering flexible work arrangements with access to mobile apps and platforms that allow employees to access HR services, performance tools, training materials and collaboration platforms anywhere they have a stable internet connection. Hiring and Retaining Workers With the work landscape changing, so are employee attitudes about loyalty and commitment. Some trends show an increase in job-hopping, where employees move jobs within a few years or less compared to older generations who may have stayed at an organization for decades. To retain workers, HR technology will continue to focus on hiring and retention strategies, such as offering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) tools to create a more inclusive workplace environment, learning experience platforms that help employees build their skills and more. AI and Cloud-Based HR Technology While artificial intelligence and machine learning have been around for decades, the past several years have seen a sharp increase in the accessibility of AI and cloud-based technology in all aspects of life, including HR. One of the top trends here to stay is AI and cloud-based technology, as AI can easily automate mundane tasks and boost efficiency, while cloud-based platforms can help increase accessibility and efficiency. AI and cloud-based solutions can also offer a more personalized employee experience, help leaders make informed decisions and make data more digestible. Employee Wellness In order to attract and retain top talent, employee wellness needs to be top of mind. HR technology can help organizations address employee engagement and well-being with features like surveys, social recognition platforms, well-being programs and mental health support to promote a positive workplace environment. 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