Summer 2025 Employment Law Updates

2025 Employment Law Updates: What Employers Need to Know

Summer is here and so are some important changes to employment law.

Failure to stay in compliance could cost you. In our recent webinar, John Gilbert from Sandberg Phoenix walks you through the latest legal developments and explain exactly what you need to do to avoid costly mistakes.

What he covers includes:

Equal Employment Opportunity Law EEOC: Key updates on non-discrimination rules.
AI in Hiring: Legal considerations for using AI in recruitment.
Office of Civil Rights & U.S. Supreme Court: Recent rulings and their impact.
Executive Orders: What new presidential orders mean for your business.
Illinois Department of Human Rights: State-specific rules and emerging legislation.
Labor Law National Labor Relations Act (NLRA): Employee rights and union regulations.
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB): What NLRB decisions mean for your business.
General Counsel Memoranda: Latest guidance on labor practices.

Employment Law Webinar Highlights:

Summer Employment Law Update: FLSA Exemptions & Burden of Proof Explained

Important Update on Overtime Law for Employers

In a recent Supreme Court ruling, the standard for proving that an employee is exempt from overtime and minimum wage has changed—and it’s good news for employers.

What’s changed?
Before, some courts required employers to meet a tough standard, providing clear and convincing evidence. Now, the Supreme Court says the standard should be the usual one: preponderance of the evidence (basically, more likely than not).

Why it matters:
This levels the playing field. Employers no longer need to meet a higher bar than employees when defending their exemption classifications under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

What to do:
Review your employee classifications to ensure they’re still compliant, and stay updated on legal changes to avoid costly mistakes.

Summer Employment Law Update: FLSA Exemptions & Overtime: What Employers Need to Know Now

In this important update from our Summer Employment Law webinar, we cover a recent Supreme Court case that directly impacts how employers defend exemption classifications under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

What’s at stake? The court addressed the burden of proof required when employers claim that a worker is exempt from overtime and minimum wage protections. With new FLSA salary threshold regulations on the horizon, understanding how to properly classify employees as exempt vs. non-exempt is more important than ever.

Key takeaways:

What the Supreme Court clarified about the legal burden
Why overtime classification remains a major challenge for employers
How this ruling may impact your compliance strategy in 2025 and beyond

Summer Employment Law Update: Illinois Supreme Court Rules Performance Bonuses Must Be Included in Overtime Calculations

In this video, we break down a key Illinois Supreme Court decision regarding overtime pay. Employers argued that performance bonuses are non-discretionary and should not be included in calculating the hourly overtime rate. However, the court ruled that under Illinois law, performance bonuses must be included in the calculation of an employee’s hourly rate for overtime purposes.

If your company operates in Illinois or you work there, it’s important to understand this update. Going forward, any performance bonuses received during the relevant pay period, whether annually, quarterly, or otherwise, must be factored into overtime pay calculations.

This ruling could mean higher overtime payments for employees who earn performance bonuses. Stay informed about your rights and employer obligations in Illinois!

Post-Election Legal Trends Impacting HR & Employment Law: What You Need to Know

Since last fall’s election, there have been significant changes at the federal level affecting labor and employment law—many issues remain unsettled.

In this video, we explore the current legal landscape facing HR professionals and employment attorneys across the country. While focusing on trends seen nationwide, we’ll use Illinois law as a key example to illustrate important developments. Whether you’re an HR pro, legal expert, or employer, understanding these evolving regulations is crucial for staying compliant and prepared. Stay tuned as we cover federal initiatives, state-level actions, and what they mean for your workplace today.

Watch the entire webinar here:

Stay Compliant, Stay Ahead—With HireLevel by Your Side

As employment laws evolve in 2025, the risks of non-compliance—from costly penalties to damaging lawsuits—are higher than ever. Whether it’s understanding how AI can and can’t be used in hiring, navigating the nuances of FLSA exemptions, or adapting to new state-specific rulings, one thing is clear: staying informed isn’t optional, it’s essential.

That’s where HireLevel comes in.

At HireLevel, we do more than fill open positions. We serve as a strategic partner for businesses navigating the complex world of workforce compliance. From helping you classify employees correctly and manage performance-based pay structures to leveraging AI responsibly in recruitment—we keep our clients informed, prepared, and protected.

Let us help you build a workforce strategy that’s not just efficient, but legally sound.
Reach out today to learn more about our staffing, onboarding, and compliance support solutions tailored for your business.

Contact us to stay compliant and competitive in today’s fast-changing employment landscape.