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OSHA Injury Tracking Application (ITA) Deadline: March 2, 2026
The deadline to submit data through OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application (ITA) is Monday, March 2, 2026 . If your business is required to file, now is the time to review your injury and illness records to ensure everything is accurate and ready for electronic submission. Many employers are familiar with OSHA Forms 300, 300A, and 301, which track workplace injuries and illnesses. However, not all businesses are required to submit this information electronically. Here’s what you

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
1 hour ago3 min read


"It's Really Hard for Me to Concentrate in the Mornings." Now What? A Practical Guide to the ADA Interactive Process
If there's one phone call we get more than almost any other, it's: “We have an employee who is continually missing work in the early morning and saying they are sick. We need them here at 8 am and they don’t seem to come in until 10 am or after. Can I fire them?" Here's how it usually sounds: A supervisor calls HR and says, "Hey, Jake mentioned that it's really hard for him to concentrate in the mornings; something about his medication. He said he doesn’t feel good most mor
Katie (Hunt) Schreiber
2 days ago5 min read


2026 Employment Law Update: What Employers Need to Know Now
Last Week, our OmniaHR team attended the Idaho Employment Law Update and Prediction event here in Coeur d’Alene. If there's one phrase defining HR in 2026, it's this: HR is harder than ever. Employers are navigating a perfect storm of regulatory change, from the Supreme Court's Muldrow decision potentially lowering the bar for discrimination claims to dramatically shift in EEOC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Add to this ICE enforcement with increased i
Katie (Hunt) Schreiber
Jan 293 min read


Planning for Long-Term Hiring: Building a Workforce That Grows With You
Hiring for a new position typically starts the same way: someone puts in their notice, work piles up, teams are stretched thin, and there’s pressure to get a job posted as fast as possible. The goal becomes filling the role so everyone can breathe again, and nothing slips through the cracks. But this hiring strategy presents a consistent problem. When you hire only to solve an immediate issue, you often end up back in the same spot, but faster than you expected. Long-term hir

Catherine Monsey
Jan 234 min read


What Employers Need to Know as ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits Expire in 2025
As part of the temporary pandemic-era relief, many Americans have benefited from enhanced premium tax credits (PTCs) under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These enhanced subsidies significantly lowered premiums for individuals purchasing coverage on the Marketplace. While Congress recently reached an agreement to end the government shutdown, the deal did not extend these enhanced PTCs. As a result, they are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025 unless new legislation is enact

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
Dec 10, 20253 min read


Supporting Your Workforce Through the SNAP & EBT Interruption: Practical Ways Employers Can Help
With the federal government shutdown delaying SNAP and EBT benefits, many households, including working families, are facing increased stress, uncertainty, and food insecurity this month. Even employees who do not directly rely on these services may have family or friends who do. This moment gives employers a unique opportunity: a chance to step up, show heart, and demonstrate that business can be a force for stability and compassion in our communities. Why This Matters in th

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
Nov 6, 20252 min read


Washington Expands Paid Family & Medical Leave: What Employers Need to Know for 2026
Effective January 1, 2026, W ashington’s Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) program is expanding under House Bill 1213, and the changes will bring big implications for employers across the state. From smaller businesses gaining new compliance obligations to expanded employee job protections, this update is one HR professionals and business owners can’t afford to overlook. Important Changes Expected in 2026 Beginning January 1, 2026 , Washington’s PFML law will see several

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
Oct 24, 20253 min read


Navigating Workplace Speech: A Complete HR Guide to Civility, Policies, and Legal Compliance
In today's politically charged environment, HR leaders face an increasingly complex challenge: balancing employees' right to expression...

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
Sep 19, 20257 min read


The High Cost of Underdeveloped Managers
One of the greatest risks organizations face today isn’t just market shifts or economic pressures, it’s underprepared managers. When...

Catherine Monsey
Aug 26, 20252 min read


Supporting Working Parents During Back-to-School Season: A Manager's Guide
As the new school year approaches, your working parent employees face a complex juggling act. Understanding their challenges and...
Katie (Hunt) Schreiber
Aug 21, 20253 min read


Beyond Compliance: Creating an Open Enrollment Experience That Works
Open enrollment affects every employee in your organization, yet many companies treat it as a routine administrative task. The reality?...

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
Aug 5, 20255 min read


From Evaluation to Engagement: 10 HR-Centered Ways to Transform Performance Management
In many organizations, performance management is still treated as a compliance exercise, periodic, one-sided, and overly focused on...

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
Jul 29, 20252 min read


Exciting Employee Benefit Updates Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA)
On July 4th, 2025, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA) was signed into law, and it’s bringing some exciting changes to employee...

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
Jul 9, 20252 min read


New Employment Laws Coming to Oregon and Washington: What Employers Need to Know
Washington and Oregon have passed a wave of new employment laws that will significantly impact how businesses operate in the coming...

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
Jul 2, 20253 min read


2024 EEO-1 Reporting Deadline this June
The EEO-1 Report is a federally mandated survey that requires certain employers to submit workforce data categorized by race, ethnicity,...

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
Jun 17, 20251 min read


HR Compliance Corner: Updated Form I-9, WA Paid Sick Leave Expansion & More May Updates
As we head into summer, HR professionals should note several important updates impacting compliance and employee management. From Form...

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
May 14, 20252 min read


Upcoming Employment Law Changes in Washington for 2025
As 2025 approaches, employers in Washington must prepare for several significant updates to employment laws. Staying ahead of these...

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
Nov 22, 20243 min read


FLSA Changes for 2025: What Employers Need to Know and How to Prepare
One of the fundamental principles in the American workplace is that time is valuable, and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) has long...

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
Oct 24, 20242 min read


The Importance of Maintaining a Clean and Compliant Personnel File
As an employer, maintaining accurate and compliant personnel files is not just a matter of good practice—it’s a legal necessity....

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
Aug 13, 20243 min read


HR Tips for Employers: Making the Most of the Summer Months
As summer rolls in, it’s an excellent time for employers to focus on a few key HR activities. The relative calm of this season, with many...

Kerri Straw, PHR/SHRM-CP
Jul 1, 20242 min read
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