Insight Hour recap: Stay informed on evolving workforce regulations and communicate effectively with executives
February 3, 2025 | Corey Butler
The Jan. 24 MNCPA Insight Hour provided valuable updates and insights for CPAs on important workforce regulations and best practices for communicating with C-suite executives.
Employee law challenges
Leah Davis, a CPA and partner at Abdo, covered several significant changes to Minnesota's earned sick and safe time (ESST) law that went into effect in 2024 and 2025. She emphasized that while many employers prepared ESST policies for the initial January 2024 implementation, they are now facing real-world challenges and needing to adjust. Key issues include handling unlimited PTO policies, reconciling when employees can use ESST versus other paid time off, and managing the complex requirements around accrual, carryover and reporting.
Davis also discussed the upcoming Minnesota Paid Family Leave program set to launch in 2026. She advised employers to start preparing now by understanding the program details, evaluating any overlapping leave policies and planning for potential operational impacts of extended employee absences. Lessons learned from other states that have implemented similar programs, such as delays in employee benefit applications, will be important for Minnesota employers to keep in mind.
In addition, Davis covered Minnesota's new pay transparency law, which requires employers with 30-plus employees to disclose salary ranges on job postings starting in 2025. She highlighted that this legislation, mirroring trends across the country, will likely have broader implications beyond just compliance. Employers should anticipate more informed and empowered job applicants, the need to ensure internal pay equity, and challenges for managers in having transparent conversations about compensation.
Read more from Davis in a Footnote article covering key HR changes.
Communicating with the C-suite
The second half of the event featured a conversation with Mark Short, vice president at Land O'Lakes. Short shared valuable insights on effective communication strategies for CPAs when engaging with C-suite executives.
Key tips included:
- Clearly define your objective for the meeting or presentation upfront.
- Tailor your content and level of detail to the executive's preferences and decision-making style.
- Use concise, impactful language and visuals to convey your key messages.
- Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability by being responsive to the executive's interests and questions.
- Leverage mentors and seek feedback to continuously develop your soft skills.
Staying informed and adaptable will be critical for CPAs to successfully navigate ongoing changes facing the profession and workplace.
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Topics: Human Resources, MNCPA Programs & Activities
Corey Butler
Corey Butler is the MNCPA communications manager, working to enhance the professional reputations of members through content, media relations and public affairs. He's been with the MNCPA since 2013. Corey keeps busy outside of the MNCPA spending time with his wife and children, serving on his local school board, volunteering in his community and catching up on long-lost hobbies. Corey enjoys the works of John Steinbeck and Rankin/Bass Productions, and Paul Bunyan, Robin Hood and Santa Claus lore. You may reach him at 952-885-5530 or cbutler@mncpa.org.
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