Tag: Employment law

EEOC Reset: What a New Majority and Shifting Priorities Mean for Employers

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) posture has shifted, and employers should take note. With the recent confirmation of a second Republican EEOC commissioner, Brittany Panuccio, the EEOC has a quorum on its five-seat panel, with a two-to-one Republican majority. With the quorum restored, the EEOC can alter policy, guidance, strategic plans, and litigation […]

DHS Ends Automatic Extensions for EADs

On October 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented a significant policy shift that directly affects workforce planning and compliance for employers across the country. The agency published an interim final rule that officially ended the practice of automatically extending employment authorization documents (EADs) for certain renewal applicants—a move that could lead […]

DOJ Issues Guidelines on Unlawful Employment Practices for Federal Contractors

When President Donald Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 14173—“Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity”—earlier this year, what grabbed headlines was the repeal of EO 11246, which had mandated that federal contractors meeting certain size criteria develop affirmative action plans since 1965. EO 14173 also created two new certifications on the system for award management […]

Be Cautious When Firing Employees Because of Social Media Postings

The recent spate of employee terminations resulting from social media posts after the killing of right-wing influencer Charlie Kirk raises questions about what liability such terminations might have for employers. The amount of an employer’s potential liability will be based on whether they are a private or public employer. Background While employees have been fired […]

Massachusetts Employers: Proposed Private Attorney General Act for Wage-Hour Claims is a Major Concern 

For the third consecutive legislative session, Massachusetts state representative Tram T. Nguyen has proposed a bill to establish a private right of action by employees on behalf of themselves, their fellow employees and the Commonwealth for employers’ alleged wage and hour violations.   For the first time, however, Rep. Nguyen has some support from the other chamber: Several state senators have […]

Scrutinized Supreme Court Faces Challenging Term on Employment Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court opened its new term facing a challenging docket and a distrustful public. The most watched cases all require the Court to more fully articulate the boundaries, if any, of its precedential ruling in Trump v. US, giving the president untrammeled authority over the executive branch, including the unrestricted right to terminate […]

BYOD to Court? Mitigate Risks of Your ‘Bring Your Own Device’ Practice

Cell phones are a quintessential tool in modern society, including within the realm of employment. Many employers use various data networks that allow employees to access and store the employer’s data on their own personal cell phones or other personal devices under “bring your own device” (BYOD) practices. Allowing employees access to employer data from […]

bias

Watch for Ways to Remove Weight Bias from your Workplace

Weight is not a protected characteristic in most civil rights laws, meaning workplace discrimination based on weight is largely permitted. There is some momentum to include weight as a protected category in civil rights laws, however, given the growing body of research on the impact of weight bias. Employees who have high body weight may […]

Managing Employee Leave Requires Care, Consistency, and Awareness

Employee leave management has become an increasingly complex aspect of human resources, requiring a solid understanding of intersecting federal laws and company policies. From accommodating medical needs to maintaining operational continuity, employers must navigate leave issues with care, consistency, and legal awareness. Read on for a high-level overview of key leave laws and best practices […]

Battle of the Sexes: Federal and State Orders Don’t Erase Title VII Obligations

Employers may recall that earlier this year, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) limiting the recognition of gender to male and female. Texas Governor Greg Abbott then passed a similar directive shortly after and has also signed a bill into law that could affect how employers should address their employees. However, employers shouldn’t neglect […]