Staying Ahead of HR as an Employee
Key Takeaways
Employees have a right to understand HR policies that affect them.
Most HR tools are expensive and not designed for non-HR professionals.
Government websites are helpful but often complex.
HR Brief bridges the gap by offering affordable, relevant legal updates.
Staying informed as an employee keeps HR Teams honest and prevents wage losses or rights violations.
Most employees don’t have access to the internal HR training, legal briefings, or compliance updates that HR professionals do. Yet workplace rights, pay laws, time-off policies, and job protections affect everyone—not just HR. So, how can employees without a human resources background stay informed about legal and workplace changes that impact their jobs, benefits, and careers?
The answer: by knowing where to look, understanding what HR professionals use, and using affordable tools designed for non-HR professionals. In this post, we break down exactly how HR departments stay in the loop and how you can too—without the need for expensive legal services or certifications.
Why Staying Informed Matters
In the modern workplace, change is constant. From new sick leave laws to evolving remote work guidelines, what you don’t know can hurt you—financially, legally, or professionally.
Consider This:
In 2023, 61% of employees were unaware of changes to state sick leave laws, even after updates were communicated by HR. (Source: SHRM)
A 2022 LinkedIn survey showed that only 19% of non-HR employees read internal HR policy updates in full.
Yet, over 72% of employee complaints filed with the Department of Labor (DOL) stem from miscommunications or misunderstandings around policies already in place.
These stats underscore a critical gap in workplace knowledge. And in many cases, ignorance isn’t just costly—it can be risky.
How HR Professionals Stay Informed
HR professionals invest heavily in staying compliant and current. Here’s what their toolkit often includes:
SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) membership (cost: $244/year)
State HR Association memberships
HR certifications like PHR or SHRM-CP (costs range $500–$2,000)
Legal update subscriptions (LexisNexis, Westlaw, HRHero)
Webinars and legal briefings from employment law firms
Most of these are behind paywalls, use legal jargon, or are tailored to HR managers—not front-line workers.
The Employee’s Dilemma
While HR pros have access to curated legal updates and compliance teams, most employees are left to Google their questions, rely on inconsistent HR communication, or simply hope they’re following the rules.
Common situations where being uninformed creates problems:
Not knowing when or how you can use paid sick leave.
Missing deadlines for FMLA or disability leave.
Not understanding wage and hour laws (especially for gig or remote work).
Facing unfair treatment but not knowing your rights or options.
How Employees Can Stay Informed
The good news is that you don’t need a degree or a budget like HR to stay informed. Here’s a breakdown of practical, accessible tools you can start using today:
1. Subscribe to Employee-Focused HR Newsletters
HR Brief for Employees is a trusted monthly update specifically designed for workers, not HR staff. For only $5/month, you get:
Plain-language legal and policy updates
Alerts for local, state, and federal changes
Examples and real-world application scenarios
Delivered via email monthly—no login required
👉 Learn more and subscribe to the HR Brief here.
2. Use Government Websites
Bookmark and visit these regularly:
Department of Labor (DOL) – https://www.dol.gov/
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) – https://www.eeoc.gov/
State labor department websites (Washington, California, New York, etc.)
These are the most authoritative sources of worker rights—especially around wages, hours, leave laws, and discrimination protections.
3. Follow Trusted Legal and Labor Blogs
Many employment law firms maintain blogs with updates and FAQs. These can be a great source of real-world case examples. Top firms include:
Fisher Phillips – https://www.fisherphillips.com/
Littler Mendelson – https://www.littler.com/
4. Engage with Workplace Advocacy Groups
Groups like National Employment Law Project (NELP) and Workplace Fairness offer free resources, toolkits, and advice lines:
5. Use Social Media Wisely
Follow reputable HR and labor law professionals on LinkedIn or Twitter. Avoid forums or advice threads that lack source credibility.
What the HR Brief Offers That Others Don’t
While government and legal sites are informative, they can be dense and slow to update. The HR Brief is built for:
Accessibility – Written in plain English.
Relevance – Focused on what workers need to know now.
Affordability – Federal changes summarized and next steps for free. Just $5/month for state specific compliance.
Actionable insights – Not just what changed, but what to do next.
Here’s what a typical HR Brief issue includes:
"Effective Jan. 1, 2025, Washington expanded its paid sick leave law to include domestic partners and household members. If you live with and care for someone, even if not related, your leave may now apply. Check with your HR rep and company handbook to ensure your time-off records are accurate."