2026 Compliance Readiness: Pay Reporting, Risk, and HR Strategy

In this episode of Talk HR, the conversation turns to one of the biggest compliance challenges facing HR leaders in 2026: expanded pay data reporting and workforce disclosure requirements. With new federal filings, evolving state mandates, and New York City’s upcoming reporting rules, HR teams are navigating a level of complexity that demands early preparation and cross-functional coordination.Hosts Harrison Newman and Samantha DeMarcurio are joined by Stacy Bastone and Evan Citron, principals at Jackson Lewis, who work closely with employers on pay equity, workforce analytics, and employment compliance. Together, they break down what’s changing, why these laws exist, who the data is actually for, and the real risks of waiting to act.As reporting deadlines approach, this episode offers HR leaders a practical roadmap for understanding obligations, avoiding costly mistakes, and using 2026 as an opportunity to strengthen pay practices and compliance infrastructure.Key Moments:(00:07) Introduction and why 2026 reporting requirements matter for HR(00:36) Overview of new federal, state, and NYC pay data obligations(03:35) The evolution from pay equity to pay transparency to pay reporting(05:00) Why employers should review pay practices before reporting(06:50) Core federal reporting requirements HR must still prioritize(8:54) How California, Illinois, and Massachusetts raise compliance risk(11:23) California’s shift to mandatory penalties and why urgency is rising(12:30) What NYC employers need to know about timing and enforcement(15:36) First steps HR teams should take now to prepare for 2026