DOL proposes rule easing 401(k) investments in cryptocurrency, other alternative assets

The rule, which follows the direction of an executive order, would protect fiduciaries who select such investments “objectively, thoroughly, and analytically,” the department said.

By Emilie Shumway • March 31, 2026

The employer benefits model wasn’t built to sustain the current drug landscape. A new flexible option is emerging.

Employees want GLP-1 coverage. Learn how employers are offering it — without a complete benefits overhaul.

March 30, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Top trends in total rewards

Trends in total rewards strategies continue to shift in response to the market, employee demands and even advances in technology.

By HR Dive staff

10M could lose Medicaid due to work requirements, more frequent eligibility checks, study finds

Between 5 million and 10 million people could be disenrolled due to cuts to the safety-net insurance program, depending on states’ mitigation strategies, according to the analysis.

By Emily Olsen • March 27, 2026

DOL seeks to hike H-1B visa holder wage rates to curb ‘abuse’ of program

Employers should expect the changes, which revive a regulatory effort from the first Trump era, to further disrupt their skilled worker hiring plans, one attorney said.

By Ryan Golden • March 27, 2026

This week in 5 numbers: Worker engagement hits lowest level in a decade

Here’s a roundup of numbers from the last week of HR news — including how many workers receive artificial intelligence-generated “workslop” from their superiors.

By Ginger Christ • March 26, 2026

Workers send nearly 3M messages a day to ChatGPT about wages, OpenAI reports

Most often, workers look for help with pay calculations and to figure out “what a concrete job, career path, or employer might plausibly pay before they apply, negotiate, or switch,” the artificial intelligence company said.

By Ginger Christ • March 26, 2026

Gender pay gap grows in 2026, report finds

Payscale noted that the gender pay gap exists at every education level and “widens significantly” as women age and progress in their careers.

By Ginger Christ • March 25, 2026

Why paid sick leave is a DEI issue

A National Partnership for Women & Families report shows how the geography of “pre-emption” states can disproportionately affect certain groups.

By Caroline Colvin • March 25, 2026

More than GLP-s: Here’s what an obesity care benefits strategy needs

A successful strategy needs to integrate weight management into an employee benefits program and support the behavior changes essential to long-term weight management.

March 23, 2026

Insulin, fatigue and focus: the untold story of metabolic health at work

Employees might not see it coming. With data, they can act before fatigue and focus issues show up.

March 23, 2026

How compensation teams can become strategic finance partners

Finance leaders are looking to comp teams for deeper insight into how workforce investments affect the bottom line. Check out these strategies for strengthening that partnership.

March 23, 2026

NAMI: 1 in 4 workers considered quitting over their job’s toll on their mental health

Less than a third of employees said they have received any mental health-related training at work, the report found.

By Ginger Christ • March 19, 2026

Top HR executives are gaining prominence, Conference Board says

“Growth in CHRO and CTO roles signals that talent, culture and digital capability are now viewed as enterprise risks, not support functions,” one researcher said.

By Jim Tyson • March 18, 2026

The hospitality industry’s gender pay gap is ‘structural,’ analysis finds

Progress on the pay gap has generally stalled, various reports indicate, and it is particularly notable in food service.

By Kathryn Moody • March 18, 2026

AI boom drives worker compensation cuts, study finds

Both jobs and paychecks are taking a hit as companies ramp up artificial intelligence spending to avoid falling behind competitors, according to the research.

By Alexei Alexis • March 17, 2026

GuardDog Telehealth admits to improper record sharing in Epic court case

In an agreement between the two companies, GuardDog admitted it masqueraded as a healthcare provider in order to gain access to medical records.

By Sydney Halleman • March 16, 2026

A benefit worth adopting

By offering adoption benefits, companies are making a big difference for present and future employees.

March 16, 2026

Instant pay can boost low-income workers’ savings habits, report finds

Despite consumer advocates’ concerns around earned wage access fees, researchers found modest, consistent usage can help with financial planning.

By Danielle McLean • March 12, 2026

‘Why was my raise only 3%?’ and other pay questions managers must be able to answer

Managers often fear saying the wrong thing, but training and documentation can help, one expert said.

By Kate Tornone • March 12, 2026

Honda agrees to $2.3M settlement in lawsuits tied to Kronos outage

The timekeeping software went offline following a ransomware attack, allegedly leading to wage and hour violations by numerous employers.

By Kate Tornone • March 9, 2026

3 steps to close the care gaps in your employee health benefits program

For employers focused on improving outcomes and managing rising costs, closing gaps in care is essential.

March 9, 2026

How wide pay ranges may deter women from applying

Compared to their male counterparts, women workers seem to be accounting for a lesser ability to negotiate a higher salary, researchers said.

By Caroline Colvin • March 5, 2026

Lilly targets employers in new bid to broaden access to obesity drugs

A service tailored to people with workplace-based insurance coverage represents a new way for Lilly to bypass insurers and expand use of its popular obesity shot. 

By Jonathan Gardner • March 5, 2026

Faced with rising healthcare costs, workers are delaying care, retirement savings

“Affordability shapes both access to care and longer-term financial security,” an EBRI director said.

By Ginger Christ • March 5, 2026

Why pay-for-performance programs don’t always work

Pay “sends a powerful message about what the organization values, who it invests in, and how effort translates into opportunity,” a McLean & Co. director said.

By Lara Ewen • March 4, 2026