October HR Must-Knows: New Rules, Deadlines & Resources
News October 20, 2026
From upcoming PFML changes to new federal wage and hour guidance, here are three updates Massachusetts employers should have on their radar:
- 2027 Massachusetts PFML Changes: New benefit amounts and contribution rates take effect January 1, with updated employee notices and workplace posting requirements.
- New DOL Opinion Letters: Federal guidance addresses supervisor participation in tip pools and unpaid meal breaks.
- Free I-9 Compliance Checklist: Review common paperwork errors, documentation requirements, and audit readiness with our free 7-part checklist.
- October: National Disability Employment Awareness Month
- November 1: Daylight saving time ends
- November 11: Observance of Veterans Day
2027 Massachusetts PFML Updates:
The maximum weekly benefit rises to $1,284.61 on January 1, 2027. The total contribution rate stays at 0.88%, but the split changes: employer contributions shift from medical leave to family leave. Details: benefit amount and contribution rates.
Action required: Distribute revised notices to all employees and eligible 1099-MISC workers before January 1. DFML will release updated rate sheets, notices, and the 2027 Workplace Poster later this fall, and every employer, including those with private plans, must post it.
Questions? Ask DFML Director Bill Alpine at our Nov 18 HR Roundtable.
New Fall DOL Opinion Letters: Tip Pools & Meal Breaks:
Can a supervisor who also works as a bartender share in a tip pool? And does a 60-minute unpaid meal break count if employees spend up to 14 minutes walking to and from their work area? The U.S. Department of Labor tackles these real-world workplace questions in two new opinion letters, offering guidance on wage and hour compliance.
Read the Opinion Letters:
Tip Pools & Supervisors| Unpaid Meal Breaks
Could Your I-9 Files Pass an Audit?
Small paperwork mistakes can lead to big compliance headaches! Our FREE 7-part I-9 Checklist helps HR teams catch common errors, review documentation and retention requirements, and prepare for an audit with confidence.
Grab Your Free I-9 Checklist!
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