The Bull

Table of Contents

• Transparency laws that went into effect in October

• The H-1B Visa Rules Get a Makeover

• The AI Hiring Circus: Fake Employees

• Mindfulness: A Power Move Every Leader Needs

• E-Verify Is Back Online

Transparency laws that went into effect in October

To close wage gaps, some states have enacted a transparency laws. Key provisions that an employer should be aware of include:

• Employers may not inquire about an applicant’s salary history 

• Employers must provide salary ranges or pay scales in job notifications, advertisements, or other job postings.

And because compliance shouldn’t feel like a scavenger hunt, we made it easy. 💡
We’ve pulled together all the latest updates into one simple, easy-to-access link. No digging, no confusion, just the facts you need to stay on top of the new rules.

👉 Click here to view all states who enacted this law

The H-1B Visa Rules Get a Makeover

The Trump administration is back at it, shaking up the H-1B visa program with two new rule proposals that could change how U.S. companies bring in global talent. The moves could make it tougher for some employers to hire foreign professionals in specialty fields and might even push a few to expand operations overseas to keep their IT engines running.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has rolled out a proposed rule that tightens the screws on H-1B eligibility. It revisits who qualifies for cap exemptions, turns up the heat on employers with past compliance issues, and adds extra oversight for third-party placements (yes, that means subcontractors).

On top of that, DHS is taking public comments on a new “weighted selection” process that would prioritize higher-paid, higher-skilled workers while still leaving room for all wage levels to compete.

Oh, and in case you missed it, employers sponsoring new H-1B applicants living abroad are now facing a $100,000 flat fee for petitions.

The AI Hiring Circus: Fake Employees

Remember when the biggest hiring headache was someone lying about “advanced Excel skills”? Yeah, those were the good ol’ days. Now, some companies are literally offering jobs to fake people, crafted by AI tricksters with Hollywood-level filters and zero shame. 17% of hiring managers admit they’ve already spotted deepfakes in video interviews. It’s predicted that by 2028, one in four candidate profiles will be fake. Wild.

According to Nathan Mondragon from HireVue, “Deepfakes are the next frontier of fraud.” While the most foolproof solution is to do interviews in person. AI isn’t going anywhere. So, it’s important to stay sharp and keep a sense of humor about it. So, what can companies do before hiring Fake Frank from Finance? Here’s the playbook:

• Get spontaneous. Ask candidates to do real-time tasks like adjusting their camera or lighting. Real humans roll with it. Deepfakes melt faster than a cheap hologram.

• Throw in surprise questions. Change topics mid-interview or ask about a real project’s messy details. Real candidates get specific. AI ones sound like a Wikipedia summary.

• Watch the visuals. Weird blinks, lighting that doesn’t match, delayed audio equal red flags.

If you need help with recruiting, reach out at [email protected]. We’ll help you cut through the noise and the nonsense. Our team knows how to spot real talent, not deepfakes, not chatbots, not clones. Recruit smarter. Recruit with Audax.

Mindfulness: A Power Move Every Leader Needs

When’s the last time you actually practiced mindfulness? (And no, zoning out during a Zoom meeting doesn’t count).

Mindfulness isn’t just about deep breaths and meditation apps, it’s about keeping your cool, knowing yourself, and making smart decisions when things get messy. It’s the secret weapon that helps leaders crush stress, boost productivity, and build teams that actually want to follow them.

Want to make mindfulness more than a buzzword?
Start at the top. When leaders show up with self-awareness and calm, it gives everyone else permission to do the same. The CDC even backs this up, managers have a major hand in reducing workplace stress. As they put it, “Employee burnout can develop when workers have too many demands that require effort and not enough resources to meet those demands.” (CDC, 2025)

At Audax, we’re all about cutting through the chaos. Building a culture that supports mental health starts with leadership, but it doesn’t stop there. That’s why we help organizations put real policies and wellness benefits in place to tackle stress before it spirals.

Because a mindful leader isn’t just calm, they’re unstoppable.

E-Verify Is Back Online

After a little unexpected “vacation,” E-Verify officially clocked back in on October 9, 2025.

If you brought on new hires while the system was snoozing, you’ve got until Tuesday, October 14 to create an E-Verify case for each one. Don’t worry, the downtime doesn’t count toward the usual three-day rule.

Got any mismatches (aka “tentative nonconfirmations”) hanging out in your queue? Make sure to update or reprint those Referral Date Confirmations with the fresh deadlines.

Keeping your hiring process compliant shouldn’t feel like herding cats. Audax has your back, reach out and we’ll help you keep things smooth, simple, and totally chaos-free.

Questions, confusion, or compliance-induced headaches?
📩 Email us at [email protected]