In Episode 13 of the Akerman Angle Employment Law Series, co-hosts Damien DeLaney and Jeff Kimmel explore the most significant trends in labor and employment law from the past year and discuss what these developments may signal for 2026. Together, they examine key topics including pay transparency laws, the regulation of AI in employment decisions, evolving standards for classifying independent contractors at the federal level, state and federal approaches to the enforceability of employee non-compete agreements, expanded leave entitlements, workplace safety regulations, enhanced wage and hour enforcement at the state and local levels, and shifting priorities at federal agencies such as the DOL and EEOC.