Hello from all of us at KMA. December can be a challenging month in the workplace, as many people are focused on holiday planning and prep, welcoming family home, traveling or taking time off. It’s such a busy time personally, and professionally, we tend to ease off the gas a little. Big decisions and initiatives are set aside for the new year – and that’s one of the things I appreciate most about this in-between time. It’s a chance to truly be present with loved ones, while recharging and rejuvenating for the year ahead.
In the spirit of planning for 2026, I’m sharing some resources in this issue to deepen your understanding of – and your ability to respond to – emerging workplace trends. We’ve got valuable insights into what’s shaping the future of work, from upcoming employment law changes in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, to evolving strategies in compliance and recruiting.
First up next year, we’re thrilled to partner with Andrea Chatfield of the firm Sheehan Phinney for a webinar on Employment Law in 2026: What Every Business Needs to Know. Andrea will break down what’s coming next year and what it means for your organization, including new HR laws and compliance challenges on the horizon. This session is free to attend so please join us on January 21st!
Register
Harassment Prevention Training – Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire
KMA’s Harassment-Free & Respectful Workplace Training is designed to help employers comply with workplace harassment prevention requirements for businesses in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and demonstrate their commitment to fostering a safe, respectful workplace and positive organizational culture.
January 22, 9:00-10:30 – via Zoom Webinar
Each quarter, we do a deep dive interview with a KMA team member, and we recently sat down with Noah Tucker, Director of Business Operations and Technology at KMA. He shares insights from his career journey, lessons learned along the way, and how he’s leading the charge on implementing generative AI within the organization. In addition, Noah shares a behind-the-scenes look at how emerging technologies are shaping the future of HR consulting, and what’s next for KMA.
Read our interview with Noah
To boil it down to one word, the prevailing sentiment right now is uncertainty. Concerns about a possible recession, rising inflation and healthcare costs, and high unemployment have made big moves feel risky. We’re seeing many businesses are trying to do more with less, stretch capacity, and just hold on until the economic outlook is more clear. Our recent article on Recruiting in 2025 and what we are expecting for 2026 explores these themes, with insights into trends like quiet hiring, human-centric recruiting in an AI world, the rise of fake candidates, and skyrocketing benefit costs.
A silver lining: while economic pressures are real, it’s encouraging that generosity is also alive and well. Just this season, Make-A-Wish Maine raised $500,000 in one evening, the most successful Wish event in its history, and RMHC Maine’s Hearts and Hands Gala broke records with $163,000 raised. Even in tough times, people strive to give back and help those in need; this month we’re shining a light on LearningWorks, an organization dedicated to strengthening community through education.
Community Spotlight: LearningWorks
For over 50 years, LearningWorks has provided supplemental and alternative educational experiences for children, youth, and families whose needs are not fully met by traditional systems. Our free, innovative programs empower students to move from struggle and hopelessness to boundless opportunity. We measure our success in the lives and communities we enhance by pursuing our vital mission: equipping Maine learners with the confidence and skills to realize their full potential.
We achieve this mission through three distinctive programs: LearningWorks Afterschool, Service Works, and YouthBuild. LearningWorks Afterschool provides academic enrichment programming to low-performing K-5 students in Title I elementary schools. Service Works engages middle and high school youth in community service projects as an alternative to school suspension or involvement with the juvenile justice system. YouthBuild provides academic and vocational instruction, career advising, and connection to employment opportunities for young adults who left high school before graduating.
Every year, we partner with 18 school districts, strengthen 19 towns, deliver 14,500 hours of service to the community, and serve 700 children, youth and families.
Learn more: LearningWorks.
On behalf of the entire KMA team, I wish you a joyful, healthy, and peaceful holiday season, and the chance to begin the new year feeling refreshed. Looking ahead, the only certainty is that there will be challenges to face, but we’re here for you every step of the way.
Here’s to continued growth and partnership in 2026!
Kim Anania