Practical HR Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
There are dozens of details to take care of in the day-to-day operation of your department and your company. We give you case studies, news updates, best practices and training tips that keep your organization fully in compliance with ever-changing employment law, and you fully aware of emerging HR trends.
Maryland is among the latest states to restrict noncompete agreements in employment contracts. A new state law, the Noncompete and Conflict of Interest Clauses for Veterinary and Health Care Professionals and Study of the Health Care Market, restricts the use of noncompete and conflict of interest agreements in certain employment contracts for Maryland veterinary and […]
More employers are using biometrics for timekeeping and security review. The biometric identifiers most frequently used by employers are face scans (“facial recognition”), fingerprints, voiceprints, and video surveillance. Although only five states regulate the use of biometrics—Illinois, New York, Texas, Vermont, and Washington—common-law invasion/breach-of-privacy claims are available to everyone. So, establishing a biometrics policy can […]
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines “disability” as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. The ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) clarified that the ADA’s definition of disability is to be construed broadly to protect the individuals asserting claims under the ADA. Nearly two decades after […]
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how companies find, evaluate, and hire talent, but it’s also raising red flags among regulators and courts. Two big developments in May 2025 show that HR teams must take a closer look at their hiring tools to avoid legal and compliance risks. Let’s break it down. What’s Happening in California? […]
On May 21, 2025, a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana vacated a portion of the Biden-era U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) final rule implementing the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) to require employers to reasonably accommodate employees who choose to have an abortion. Quick Hits U.S. […]
In May 2025, the Trump administration’s U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published guidance saying that it would stop enforcing a Biden-era rule—one that had rescinded a rule created during the first Trump administration—on the factors distinguishing independent contractors from employees. Although the Biden-era rule remains “on the books” for now while the DOL considers replacing […]
Surging changes to workplace laws understandably have employers suffering from whiplash. Historically, employment laws have shifted when presidential administrations have changed. A May 1, 2025, announcement by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) about its intended approach to the classification of individuals as independent contractors is a recent example. Background on Independent Contractors A number […]
The recent changes to California’s wage and hour laws have significant implications for employers operating within the state. While the reforms are aimed at providing clearer guidelines for employers, there are still complex issues that HR professionals and employment lawyers must address. Key updates that affect your organization and what you can do to stay […]
Q In instances of reasonable suspicion or when it relates to the company’s workplace violence policy prohibiting the possession of weapons, are we allowed to search an employee’s vehicle on company property, and can we add this to our employment policy? Like most legal answers, it depends. In recent years, many states have passed what are […]
In 2024, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a rule banning most noncompete agreements nationwide. Although enforcement is currently stayed (paused) pending legal challenges, courts and legislatures continue to narrow or eliminate noncompete enforceability—prompting employers to reevaluate how they protect proprietary information and competitive advantage. In response, many employers are turning to trade secret law. […]