HR Chat w/Employco USA: Workers Cut Retirement Savings, Ask Employers for Help

HR Chat w/Employco USA: Workers Cut Retirement Savings, Ask Employers for Help

Rising costs for essentials like housing, groceries, and fuel are forcing many employees to make difficult financial decisions, including reducing contributions to their retirement plans.

In this HR Chat, Rob and Jason discuss recent trends showing workers saving less for retirement, the growing use of 401(k) loans, and how employers can support employees through retirement education and financial wellness resources.

Contact hr@employco.com to discuss employee benefits, retirement plans, financial wellness initiatives, or other HR support needs.

Schedule a 15-minute call with Griffen Wilson for more information on our services.

Podcast: 2026 Labor Market Impact on Benefits and Perks

As the labor market continues to shift in 2026, many employers are reevaluating the benefits and workplace perks they offer employees. In this month’s HR podcast, Rob, Scott, and Jason discuss how current labor market conditions are influencing employer decisions around compensation, flexibility, retirement plans, voluntary benefits, and employee expectations. They also explore which perks employees value most, how organizations can remain competitive, and why balancing cost management with retention strategies remains a key challenge for employers.

For guidance on employee benefits planning, workforce retention strategies, and HR best practices, contact hr@employco.com.

Schedule a 15-minute call with Griffen Wilson for more information on our services.

Podcast: 2026 Labor Market Impact on Benefits and Perks

HR Chat w/Employco USA: New Grads Would Trade Pay for Job Security

HR Chat w/Employco USA: New Grads Would Trade Pay for Job Security

Would today’s college grads take less pay in exchange for more job security? Increasingly, the answer is yes.

In this HR Chat, Rob and Jason discuss a growing workforce trend where new graduates are prioritizing stability, long-term security, and lower risk over higher starting salaries.

Contact hr@employco.com to discuss employee retention, workforce management, or other HR support needs.

Schedule a 15-minute call with Griffen Wilson for more information on our services.

(The ESCA Digest) 30 Years of Employco

Employco’s 30th anniversary was highlighted in The ESCA Digest (May 2026) under Industry History.

“On April 16th, Employco marked a milestone that few companies reach: 30 years in business. What began in 1996 as a small, family-run startup in Chicago has grown into one of the country’s leading HR outsourcing firms, serving businesses nationwide while staying true to the same philosophy it started with.

In the early days, the goal was straightforward. Bob Wilson and his sons, Rob and Scott, saw how overwhelmed business owners were by administrative tasks like payroll, workers’ compensation, and HR compliance. These weren’t just minor inconveniences—they were constant distractions pulling focus away from growth. With just $5,000 in sales in the first year, Employco set out to take that burden off their shoulders.”

Read the full piece here: 30 years of Employco

(Food Industry News) How to Maximize Savings and Value on Employee Benefits
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HR Newsletter: Occupations Qualifying for No Tax on Tips

HR Newsletter: Occupations Qualifying for No Tax on Tips

On April 13, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and IRS issued final regulations on the “No Tax on Tips” provision enacted under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). The final regulations are effective on June 12, 2026.

Background – On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a tax and spending bill, commonly referred to as the OBBBA, into law. Among other provisions, the OBBBA allows certain workers an above-the-line deduction for “qualified tips” and “qualified overtime compensation” for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2024, and ending for taxable years beginning after Dec. 31, 2028. Individuals must earn $150,000 or less ($300,000 if married filing jointly) in 2025 to be eligible for the tip deduction. The maximum deduction for tip income is capped at $25,000 per year, and the deduction applies only to cash tips, which include tips that are charged and tips received under a tip-sharing agreement.

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HR Newsletter: Employment Case Studies – Insights Into Wage and Hour Violations

HR Newsletter: Employment Case Studies – Insights Into Wage and Hour Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) is tasked with enforcing federal minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), as well as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and a number of other employment standards and worker protections.

Generally, the WHD will initiate an investigation after a current or former employee files a complaint. In addition to complaints, the WHD selects certain businesses and industries for investigation. Occasionally, several organizations in a specific geographic area will be examined.

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HR Newsletter: Drafting a Policy for AI in the Workplace

HR Newsletter: Drafting a Policy for AI in the Workplace

Artificial intelligence (AI) has fundamentally altered how many employees perform their jobs, resulting in greater efficiency and increased productivity. Employers are seeking the use of AI to make their companies more productive and profitable.

While AI can be an extremely valuable tool in the workplace, its improper use may lead to costly mistakes and lawsuits for employers. Having a clear written policy on the use of AI in the workplace can help employees use such systems properly and reduce the risk of costly mistakes.

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HR Newsletter: Avoiding HR-Related AI Scams

HR Newsletter: Avoiding HR-Related AI Scams

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how organizations recruit, communicate, and operate. Unfortunately, the same tools that are streamlining HR workflows are also fueling a new wave of sophisticated scams. From deepfakes of CEO voices to fake job applicants submitting AI‑generated resumes, threat actors are exploiting AI to create more believable, personalized, and scalable attacks. For managers and HR teams, often the first line of communication with external candidates and vendors, understanding how these scams work can help offer a first line of defense against common, preventable scams.

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