Our Blog
What Is Withholding Tax in New Mexico?
Payroll may seem simple at first, but tax requirements, employee forms, and filing deadlines can quickly make the process feel more complex. In this article, we will explain what withholding tax in New Mexico is and what business owners should keep in mind when managing payroll responsibilities.
Minimum Wage in Albuquerque 2026
Minimum wage compliance starts with knowing which rate applies to your business. Below, we’ll cover the 2026 minimum wage in Albuquerque, local ordinance considerations, and how employers can approach payroll planning with greater clarity.
What Is a Non-Exempt Employee in New Mexico?
Employee classification is more than an HR task. It directly affects payroll accuracy, employment compliance, and your organization’s legal risk.
Federal Changes: Additional Regulations
For those of you who recently saw our prior post regarding rules around the Fair Labor Standards Act increase in threshold, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and banning non-compete agreements, the Feds continue to be busy with additional laws.
Leadership Training
Explore leadership training that helps managers build communication, coaching, and decision-making skills, strengthening workplace culture and performance with guidance from Southwestern Human Resource Consulting.
Company Priorities
As has been the case since the return to work from the pandemic, hiring and retention continue to be issues as people retiring or leaving to other employers seem to continue to outpace the numbers of potential employees for your organization.
Minimum Wage
Get clear on New Mexico’s 2025 minimum wage rates, including state and key local requirements, so your business stays compliant with payroll and posting obligations.
Communication
Today, several of our Southwestern HR Consulting (SWHRC) team attended the Human Resource Management Association (HRMA) Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI & B) Symposium. This year’s conference included a broad perspective on DEI & B, including civility, leadership, and communication.
Employing the Right HR Tool
Learn how to evaluate and select the right HR tools—from HRIS to payroll and performance systems—so your organization improves efficiency, data accuracy, and employee experience with support from Southwestern HR Consulting.
Sexual Harassment
On September 16, 2024, Southwestern Human Resources Consulting (SWHRC) reported information regarding three sexual harassment cases on which the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) had recently filed suit. Southwestern HR Consulting (SWHRC) can help your organization to get started on the right footing.
EEOC-Harassment Cases
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently sent out a communication outlining three cases regarding harassment based on protected classes. In each of the cases, the EEOC attempted pre-litigation settlement through the EEOC conciliation process.
Tipped Employees
On August 23, 2024, the Fifth Circuit (Western District of Texas) made a determination in an appeal received from the Restaurant Law Center and the Texas Restaurant Association against the US Department of Labor (DOL) challenging restrictions to the tipped credit rule.
Non-Compete Agreements
In April of this year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) passed a rule disallowing the use of most non-compete agreements, which was to take effect on September 4, 2024.
Employee Relations: Investigation
SWHRC conducts independent workplace investigations, providing an unbiased perspective when internal reviews may create conflicts of interest or staffing challenges.
Progressive Discipline
Progressive discipline is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a series of disciplinary actions with later discipline being progressively more severe. The concept is that the employer begins with lower levels of discipline, and if issues continue, it culminates in more severe discipline, ending with involuntary termination.
Miscommunication Costs Billions
Miscommunication can cost hundreds to billions of dollars. Averting miscommunication in the workplace or correcting course as soon as possible not only reduces potential costs of mistakes but also assists with the morale issues that can occur simultaneously.
Anti-Retaliation Case
The US Department of Labor (DOL) just published a news release related to worker retaliation. In this case, the nail salon cited agreed to pay back wages and damages, averting further litigation.
OSHA Inspection Rule Change
A new DOL rule permits certain non-employees to accompany workers during OSHA inspections. Critics say it may expand participation beyond the rule's original scope.
Investigation vs Mediation
Investigation versus mediation. Several factors are involved in determining whether you should do an investigation versus whether you should do a mediation.
The OFCCP Contractor Portal is Open
The OFCCP has announced the opening of the Contractor Portal for federal contractors to complete their Affirmative Action Program certification for the April 1–July 1, 2024, period.
Our ‘Brain Trust’ of Experienced HR Consultants
Whether you're building a stronger workplace culture, developing leaders, addressing employee relations concerns, or strengthening HR processes, our team provides the expertise and perspective to help you move forward with confidence.
SWHRC is powered by a Brain Trust of seasoned HR consultants, business leaders, and subject matter experts who bring decades of experience across industries. Together, we help organizations navigate complex people matters with practical solutions, thoughtful leadership guidance, and a strong foundation in compliance.
