🏖️ Summer Flex or Flop? 2025 Workstyle Strategies + New Hire Checklist - Jul 25, 2025

Hey, HR leaders! ☀️ Summer flex check: Is your work policy actually working—or just sweating in silence? As we mark National Hire a Veteran Day, let’s rethink flexibility—seriously!

On today’s agenda:

🏖️ Summer policy check

👾 HR data, the hacker magnet

🌍 Workstyle strategies [guide]

🆕 New hire policy checklist

THE HR SPOTLIGHT

🏖️ Summer Flex or Summer Flop: How’s Your Work Policy This Season?

It's peak vacation season, and the OOO replies are hotter than the sidewalk. But here’s a question: is your summer flexibility policy helping employees recharge or just creating calendar chaos? Let’s take a closer look.

😬 The situation: PTO chaos & FOMO…

• 59％ of U.S. workers say they feel uneasy about using their PTOs because of anxiety towards workload and job security (LiveCareer).

• Hybrid and remote workers often feel left out of team summer fun (think: office BBQs they only see on Slack).

✅ What HR can do: Make summer flex work

1. Audit PTO balances—remind teams to use them before burnout sneaks in 

2. Prep for heavy OOO weeks with clear backup plans and shared calendars

3. Don’t leave remote folks behind: livestream events, send care packages, rotate hosting

4. Re-communicate summer flex options and who qualifies for what

Don’t just offer flexibility—make sure it’s actually felt.

👉 For more high-impact engagement ideas, see HRAddict’s Team Activity Vault »

🌍 Remote, Hybrid, In-Office: How Top Teams Win Anywhere — Explore the Workstyle Strategies Driving Success in 2025

👉 Outdated leadership, not remote work, holds teams back. Learn how data-driven strategies and intentional workflows are powering high-performing, flexible teams worldwide. Get The Workstyle Revolution now.

📜 Big Moves in AI Oversight - SHRM

• What’s unfolding: The administration announced a sweeping AI regulation roadmap aimed at boosting transparency, safety, and accountability in AI systems used in hiring, management, and beyond.

• Why it matters: For HR leaders, this signals a shift from AI adoption to AI governance. It’s time to audit how your org uses AI in talent acquisition or workforce management.

• What’s unfolding: The recent updates in the H1-B visa rules may significantly raise wage offers for its holders and other foreign workers in the U.S., aligning closer to those of U.S. workers.

• Why it matters: This could reshape compensation strategies for employers relying on skilled foreign talent. HR should prepare for possible budget increases and reevaluate pay equity across the board.

• What’s unfolding: A startling recent analysis shows that HR data appears in 82％ of workplace-related data breaches. Breached info includes employee data—often the most sensitive stuff in your system.

• Why it matters: HR isn’t just about people—it’s about protecting their most private information. If you haven’t reviewed your data security policies recently, it’s time to work with IT to strengthen cybersecurity.

COMPLIANCE CORNER

• What’s unfolding: Despite the official 60-day grace period, some laid-off H-1B visa holders are receiving premature deportation notices, sparking panic and legal confusion.

• HR implications: Employers must stay transparent with laid-off visa holders and consider offering legal support or extended transition assistance. Missteps could harm reputations and affect future foreign talent recruitment.

• What’s unfolding: The U.S. Department of Labor has introduced self-audit programs and tools to help employers proactively identify and correct violations of federal labor laws before formal investigations begin.

• HR implications: This is a time for HR teams to catch compliance gaps early—before they become costly. Consider conducting internal reviews using the DOL’s resources and documenting all corrections in case of future audits.

• What’s unfolding: The IRS just announced updated Affordable Care Act (ACA) affordability thresholds for 2026, with higher a affordability percentage but steeper penalties.

• HR implications: Time to review your 2026 health plan designs—especially for lower-wage workers—to prevent ACA penalties. Finance and benefits teams should align early to stay compliant and competitive.

WEEKLY GOODY

🆕 New Hire Policy Checklist: Set Your Onboarding Up for Success

Want to ensure every new hire starts off informed and confident? This 2-page checklist will help your HR team cover all the essentials—from company policies and safety rules to workplace expectations. 

It's a simple, professional way to stay organized, consistent, and compliant. Impress new employees and set the tone for a great first day.

BREAKROOM

📬 Missed Wednesday’s issue on ‘RTO Roulette’? Read it »