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2025 brought major changes that impact employers and employees. Here are six developments and what you can do to prepare your business for what’s ahead in 2026.

Jamie Behymer, director of diversity, inclusion and young agents at the Big “I,” leads initiatives that empower emerging leaders and help independent insurance agencies become more inclusive.

Contingent compensation can be significant but unpredictable, particularly amidst the hard market and frequent catastrophes.

A Missouri-based commercial lines client uses virtual assistants in the Philippines. Does the virtual assistants’ wages need to be added to the company’s workers compensation policy?

Pay transparency is the practice of openly sharing compensation and benefits information with candidates in the hiring process. State and local ordinances can impact the requirements for your agency.

For independent insurance agencies, this could be an innovative, family-focused benefit to offer employees or to strengthen relationships with commercial and personal lines customers.

Just because the economy is unpredictable doesn’t mean it’s time to pull up the drawbridge and hide. Making smart moves to drive growth, both organic and inorganic, can keep a business thriving.

Agencies can reduce friction with their carrier partners to make claims and compensation more transparent, accurate and user-friendly.

Dedicating time to address HR and operational challenges during these quieter months of summer can have a significant impact for the rest of the year. 

“It’s all about embracing artificial intelligence (AI),” says young agent Audriana Misic. “Not to replace people but to make what we do more efficient and effective.”