In 2025, United States and Canadian employers faced a wave of new employee leave rights, workplace protections and compliance requirements. And 2026 brings even more changes that demand attention. From expanded paid family leave in California to new NICU leave provisions in Illinois and Colorado, employer compliance challenges across North America are an increasingly complex web of regulations.
Employers must address new laws that create compliance concerns. This report offers insights that can help your organization avoid legal risk, penalties and reputational damage.
The Current State of North American Workforce Compliance
Get an overview of the workplace compliance laws and regulations that impacted U.S. and Canadian employers in 2025 while sharing insights on how to best prepare for 2026.
“In 2026, Employers should expect continued growth in paid leaves, workplace protections relating to pregnancy, neonatal intensive care leaves and amended sick leave and injury-related leave laws.”
Paul Kramer | Director of Compliance, WorkForce Software, an ADP company
Employee protections enacted in 2025 and new compliance requirements for 2026
In this report, Paul Kramer, director of compliance at WorkForce Software, an ADP company, guides U.S. and Canadian employers through the most notable topics affecting compliance legislation, including:
- Extended leave rights for crime victims and family members
- New NICU leave provisions for parents with children in intensive care
- Expanded sick leave and safety accommodations
- Revised meal and rest break requirements
- Changes to long-term illness protections
As 2026 approaches, employers should adopt a proactive stance toward these workforce compliance changes in all states and provinces where they operate, carefully monitoring and adapting to evolving leave rights, wage and hour rules and workplace protections. By taking a comprehensive approach, organizations can better shield themselves from potentially costly penalties and risks and cultivate a more trusting and transparent relationship between management and their people. A successful employer compliance check promotes strong company values and positive employee experiences.
Read The Current State of North American Workplace Compliance: 2026 Report to understand the most significant employer compliance changes and plan successful 2026 workplace strategies that prioritize people’s well-being.
