The holidays are a time of celebration, but they also bring unique HR compliance challenges for employers. Year-end adjustments in scheduling, PTO carryover, overtime, and workplace conduct can lead to costly mistakes if overlooked.

For brokers, this is your opportunity to step beyond benefits and become a trusted year-round advisor. By guiding clients through these common holiday compliance traps and connecting them with practical tools like Mitratech Mineral, you can deliver meaningful value while strengthening client relationships.

Overtime Pay and Holiday Scheduling

The holiday season often brings increased workloads, last-minute shift changes, and temporary staff. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a week must be paid overtime, and some states impose even stricter requirements.

Paid time off for holidays does not count toward overtime. For example, if an employee works 36 hours during Thanksgiving week and also gets 8 hours of paid time off for the holiday, they’d receive 44 hours of pay, but since only 36 hours were actually worked, no overtime would be owed. However, if that same employee is later scheduled for an additional 8-hour shift, they’d reach 44 hours worked, triggering 4 hours of overtime pay.

Scheduling errors like this are easy to overlook and can lead to wage compliance issues. In addition, some jurisdictions have predictive scheduling laws that require employers to give advance notice of schedule changes, and failing to comply can result in fines or employee dissatisfaction.

How you can help your clients:

• Encourage them to review their overtime and scheduling policies before the holiday rush.

• Make sure they understand both federal and state scheduling laws.

• Show them how to leverage Mitratech Mineral’s policy library and LMS training to stay informed and compliant.

PTO Carryover and “Use It or Lose It” Policies

Year-end questions often arise about vacation and sick leave accrual. State laws vary significantly with respect to vacation and PTO–some allow “use it or lose it” policies, while others mandate carryover or allow payouts. State and local sick leave laws can create additional complexity, especially if clients are using a single policy to provide both vacation and sick time.

How you can help your clients:

• Direct them to the relevant laws page on the Mineral Mitratech platform so they can check their policies against state and local requirements.

• Remind them to communicate updates to employees to avoid confusion or legal exposure.

• Guide them toward Mitratech Mineral’s Handbook Builder so they get necessary updates for these policies automatically if the laws change.

Holiday Parties and Harassment Risks

Company celebrations boost morale but can introduce risks, especially when alcohol is involved. Harassment, inappropriate behavior, or inclusivity issues can lead to legal exposure and harm workplace culture.

How you can help your clients:

• Advise clients to set clear expectations for conduct at events.

• Encourage them to provide training on harassment prevention and workplace policies (or a refresher if it’s been a while).

• Point them towards Mitratech Mineral’s workplace conduct templates and quick-assignable training courses.

Partner with Mitratech Mineral for Client Success

Year-end is one of the most complex times for HR compliance. By helping clients anticipate challenges and providing practical tools, you can become more than a benefits consultant. This proactive support enhances client satisfaction, strengthens loyalty, and positions you as an indispensable advisor.

With Mitratech Mineral’s combination of smart technology, real-time HR updates, and expert-backed resources, you can give your clients peace of mind this holiday season and beyond.

👉 Ready to help your clients stay compliant year-round?