The BULL

Table of Contents

• The Peanut Butter Raise Is Going Mainstream

• The EEO-1 Deadline Is Approaching

• Meet the new HPI - Highly Paid Individual

• Is the traditional career ladder broken?

• 5 Office Changes That Can Make a Big Difference in …

The Peanut Butter Raise Is Going Mainstream

Peanut Butter Raises are beginning to spread across the board, with more employers adopting uniform raises, offering a 3.5% to everyone, and 2026 may disappoint top performers who were expecting higher, performance-based rewards. Nearly 44% of companies are expecting to adopt this approach this year. Why the shift?

• Rising cost of living

• Reduced bias in pay decisions

• Predictable, manageable compensation budgets

With peanut butter raises, less money is allocated. And it takes the administrative burden out of having to design, develop, implement, and explain a merit-based approach.” It’s also a way for companies to ensure that every employee, no matter how “marginal,” receives at least some increase to help mitigate inflation.

For your company, this could mean less time in performance-review weeds and greater clarity in workforce planning; however, keep in mind that this approach may do little to motivate your top performers to go above and beyond, and organizations should consider other special options to reward those.

The EEO-1 Deadline Is Approaching

If you’re a private-sector employer with 100+ employees, or a federal contractor with 50+ employees, the EEOC expects your demographic workforce data to be filed yearly as part of the EEO-1 data collection. The official due date is March 31.

For those working with us for EEO-1 reporting, don’t delay this process. Have your information available to us by February 28th to ensure everything is filed accurately, and without any last-minute issues.

Meet the new HPI - Highly Paid Individual

Employees age 50 or older who earn over $150,000 in 2025 FICA wages are now eligible for a special rule effective January 1, 2026. This update originates from the SECURE 2.0 Act.

What’s the change? HPIs must make catch-up contributions to a Roth (after-tax) account only, not pre-tax catch-ups.

What you’ll need to do: When completing your 2026 employee census, mark “Yes, HPI” for anyone who meets both the age and income criteria. Questions? We’re here.

Is the traditional career ladder broken?

If you’re wondering why employees aren’t exactly racing toward the traditional career ladder anymore, you’re not imagining things; it’s a real shift. Fewer than half of today’s workers are interested in a straight-line career path, with many choosing “portfolio careers” instead (think multiple roles, side gigs, or skill-stacking adventures) to stay flexible and financially comfortable.

For employers, this is less bad news and more opportunity. Workers are chasing options, growth, and balance, not just shinier titles and the promise of “someday.” Organizations that offer varied career paths, meaningful skill development, and real work-life balance (not just posters about it) are the ones that stand out and retain talent longer.

And yes, pay still matters. But nearly half of workers say it’s the balance and culture that make them stick around. Bottom line: flexibility isn’t a “nice-to-have” anymore, it’s one of your best retention tools.

5 Office Changes That Can Make a Big Difference in Your Health

Let’s get this clear: Workspaces weren’t built with ergonomics, balance, or mental health in mind. And the data backs it up. Musculoskeletal issues, eye strain, burnout, and stress-are work related claims on the rise.

As an employer, it’s worth keeping a few best practices on your radar:

• Encourage good ergonomics – Chairs, desks, screens, and posture matter more than we think.

• Normalize breaks – Stretching, standing, and stepping away boost’s productivity (and fewer stiff necks).

• Reduce hazards – From overloaded outlets to tripping cords, small risks add up.

• Support boundaries – Long hours and late nights can disrupt sleep and morale.

• Promote connection – Isolation isn’t just a remote-work issue; check-ins help everyone.

A little awareness goes a long way in keeping yourself and your employees healthy, engaged, and working safely, wherever their desk happens to be. For more workplace health and safety tips, encourage managers to connect with their teams early and often.

At the end of the day, fewer issues, fewer deadlines missed, and fewer fire drills make everyone’s job easier. Keeping these topics on your radar now helps keep things running smoothly as the year moves on.