Reframing Compliance as Regulatory Alignment: A Strategic Advantage for Employers in 2025 and Beyond
When most people hear the word compliance, it often triggers thoughts of burdensome rules, endless paperwork, and last-minute scrambling to avoid penalties. I wouldn’t blame you for thinking that way, either. But hear me out: what if we looked at it differently? What if, instead of thinking of compliance as a box to check or a hurdle to jump, we reframed it as regulatory alignment—a proactive, strategic approach that can actually drive your business forward?
That’s how I think about compliance. Not just as something you do to “stay legal,” but as a foundational part of your benefit strategy and company culture. It’s about how you align your plan and your processes with regulatory guidelines from the very beginning, not as an afterthought. It might not remove all the stress of those burdensome rules, but it certainly helps put you in a proactive mindset to make compliance count.
Compliance Isn’t Just About Following the Rules. It’s About Strategic Alignment.
When I think of compliance, I think of it more as regulatory alignment. When you’re developing your overall plan strategy for your company, it’s really about asking yourself: How am I going to align with the regulations, rather than simply being in compliance with them?
The answer (or answers) to that question present a number of strategic opportunities. You can be 100% compliant by following the rules conservatively, but you can also take some calculated risks depending on your company’s goals and risk tolerance. It’s all about protecting your bottom line, being attractive to employees, and retaining your talent.
Thinking about compliance as part of your benefit strategy from the start makes the entire process smoother and more efficient. Instead of building your plan first and then scrambling to fix compliance issues later, you bake regulatory alignment into the foundation of your decisions. This approach makes the development and operation of your benefits streamlined, strategic, and sets you up for greater chances of success.
Compliance’s Role in Recruitment, Retention, and Culture
Regulatory alignment goes beyond a legal requirement. While that’s undeniably an important part of it, regulatory alignment also reflects your company values. When you build a competitive benefits strategy aligned with regulations, it builds trust and morale in turn. It signals transparency and shows that you genuinely want to provide the best for your employees.
And keep in mind the growing need for benefits regulatory literacy, understanding how plans like HSAs work within regulatory rules, who can contribute, and when funds can be used. When employers know this, they can better educate their workforce so everyone maximizes their benefits.
Changing the Conversation
Compliance can be a scary word, and that’s understandable. Just hearing it can make many people want to head for the hills. But when you think of it as regulatory alignment, it sounds a lot nicer, doesn’t it?
My advice to business leaders is simple: Think about compliance first, not last. Instead of “Oh, this is something I have to do,” flip the script. See it as a helpful guide, a set of guardrails that help you make smart decisions from the beginning. This mindset doesn’t just make your job easier; it also supports your company’s overall strategy and values.
At Borislow Insurance, we’re passionate about helping employers reframe compliance as a positive, strategic driver, not just a box to check. When regulatory alignment is baked into your benefit strategy, it’s not just about avoiding penalties. It’s about empowering your business and your people to succeed.