Our International thought leaders have pulled together their top predictions for the new year so that employers can get a head start to 2026.
AI Governance Frameworks Will “Go Light” to Encourage Innovation
Despite the fact that 2025 saw stricter AI regulations, the new global trend in 2026 will focus on advancement and voluntary guidelines rather than mandatory guardrails. Notably in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, Japan, Singapore, India, and Australia are making moves that encourage AI use and attract investment while also addressing safety and transparency. In fact, we predict the stringent EU AI Act will not become a global model and most jurisdictions will diverge rather than align.
EU Pay Transparency Directive Will Trigger Mass Pay Restructuring and Litigation
Companies with 100+ employees must report gender pay gaps and disclose salary ranges in job postings by June 2026. A significant portion of EU companies will face pay equity challenges using “work of equal value” assessments – a complex methodology most have never implemented – triggering widespread audits and litigation by 2027.
Global Whistleblower Protection Trend Will Create “Race to the Top” in Corporate Compliance
Global whistleblower claims will substantially increase as employees test strengthened protections – Japan now criminalizes whistleblower retaliation, EU has boosted protections, and Singapore, China, and India introduced enhanced frameworks. Multinationals will increasingly adopt the...
The Department of Justice announced a more than half-billion-dollar settlement with Kaiser Permanente over claims the health care provider submitted false diagnosis codes for Medicare Advantage Pl...