These laws will change how you work in 2026

"With President Trump back in the White House, this year has brought a barrage of executive orders and edicts that target workers. Trump reduced the minimum wage for federal contractors, made major cuts to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration-whose express mission is to keep people safe in the workplace-and attempted to undermine collective bargaining rights for federal workers. He has also, of course, set his sights on dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across both the federal workforce and corporate America."

"Still, there's a glimmer of hope for workers: Many states have taken it upon themselves to enshrine policies like paid leave and pay transparency, with some of them now turning their attention to how the misuse of artificial intelligence in hiring could harm workers. Here are some of the laws and policies that will take effect in 2026-many of which continue to push forward on important issues for workers despite what the federal government has in store."

"Trump has made anti-DEI policies a focal point of his time in office, kicking off this year with a number of executive orders that forced federal agencies to terminate all DEI-related policies and programs and stripped away a requirement for federal contractors that had been a crucial element of diversifying the workforce. That means, going into 2026, all federal DEI programs have been eliminated-but there are a number of state-level bills that seek to curtail how DEI is utilized in hiring and across public education."

President Trump issued numerous executive orders that lowered the minimum wage for federal contractors, cut OSHA resources, and sought to weaken collective bargaining rights for federal workers. Federal DEI programs and contractor diversity requirements were eliminated, reducing federal efforts to diversify workforces. Several states have moved to protect workers through paid leave and pay-transparency laws and are beginning to regulate the misuse of AI in hiring. State laws in Ohio, Kansas, Idaho, and Wyoming restrict DEI considerations in public higher education hiring. The EEOC has signaled increased scrutiny of corporate DEI programs.

Read at Fast Company