Archives for September 16, 2025
Note To Self: Know Your Role
Leaders who recognize the limitations of their employees must apply that insight to themselves.
DOJ sues over Rhode Island loan forgiveness program it says discriminates against white teachers
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit on Tuesday alleging that a Rhode Island student loan forgiveness program designed to boost racial diversity in the Providence schools’ faculty unlawfully discriminated against white teachers.
US naval shipbuilders seek Supreme Court review in engineers’ pay case
General Dynamics , Huntington Ingalls and other major U.S. shipbuilders have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to review a decision that they must face a lawsuit accusing them of conspiring to suppress pay for architects and engineers.
Ninth Circuit Holds Trade Secret Claims Under the DTSA Do Not Need to Be Fully Defined at the Start of Litigation
Ninth Circuit Holds Trade Secret Claims Under the DTSA Do Not Need to Be Fully Defined at the Start of Litigation
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit provided important guidance regarding pleading standards for claims under the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) in Quintara Biosciences, Inc. v.
NLRB Alleges New York State Labor Law Preempted by NLRA
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has filed a lawsuit challenging a recently enacted New York State law that would allow the state to assert jurisdiction over private sector labor disputes when the state believes the NLRB is unable to act effectively, asserting the law is preempted by federal labor
Breastfeeding at Work Redefined: Puerto Rico’s New Code Ushers in Major Changes
TakeawaysThe groundbreaking Lactation/Breastfeeding Code, signed into law 08.01.25, repeals Law 427-2000 and replaces it entirely, along with multiple other lactation-related laws.Employees, regardless of whether part-time or full-time, are now entitled to no less than one paid hour per workday to breastfeed their child or express breastmilk, for a minimum of 12 months after returning from maternity leave.Employers must notify all employees of their rights under the new code.Related links
NYC Limits Housing Discrimination Based on Criminal Background: Is ‘Criminal History’ History?
TakeawaysThe NYC Fair Chance Housing Act prohibits discrimination against prospective and current housing occupants based on criminal history, with certain exceptions.The prohibition covers most housing providers authorized to sell, rent, or lease housing accommodations.Providers should consider reviewing their policies and procedures related to the process of requesting and reviewing criminal histories of prospective purchasers, renters, and lessees to ensure compliance with the Act.Related links
California Contractor Compliance: Are You Prepared for Heightened Oversight?
TakeawaysCalifornia state-level enforcement is on the rise as federal policies shift.The state is reinforcing its commitment to nondiscrimination in public contracting through increased oversight and compliance certification.California contractors should assess compliance with state law and other applicable obligations.Article
EO Directs Future Reporting Requirements for Higher Education Institutions
TakeawaysThe Trump Administration is requiring higher education institutions in receipt of federal funding to report race-based admissions data.The secretary of education will revise reporting requirements of educational institutions to government agencies and take remedial action against institutions for unlawful or incomplete admissions data.Educational institutions should review their admissions practices to assess race-based considerations.Related links
California Supreme Court Takes a Bite Out of the Rigid Application of Arbitration Fee Deadlines: Hohenshelt v. Superior Court
California Supreme Court Takes a Bite Out of the Rigid Application of Arbitration Fee Deadlines: Hohenshelt v. Superior Court
Case Background
A sanitation employee at Golden State Foods Corporation, signed an arbitration agreement governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA) at the start of his employment. In 2020, after reporting alleged
Littler Lounge: Pull Up a Chair! Let’s Talk Leave and Accommodations
Littler Lounge: Pull Up a Chair! Let’s Talk Leave and Accommodations
Hosts Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave welcome Littler attorney Alexis Knapp for a deep dive into the world of leave and accommodations. From the surge in mental health-related requests to the role of return-to-work policies in leave requests, Alexis
EEOC Sues Cosmos for Pregnancy Discrimination
MOBILE, Ala. – Cosmos, a restaurant in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi operated by Smoke BBQ LLC, violated federal law by firing a server because of her pregnancy, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) charged in a lawsuit announced today.The EEOC’s suit charged that in November 2023, the server told
Investigations Under Pressure: Getting It Right When It Really Counts – Workplace Wake-Up with Jen Shaw
High-stakes investigations—harassment, retaliation, fraud, or safety concerns—are where credibility and process matter most. Jen shares strategies for handling tough interviews, assessing credibility, documenting defensibly, and keeping investigations fair and trauma-informed, even under pressure.
EEOC Sues Two Businesses Operating in the Chicago Area Under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
CHICAGO – The Chicago District Office of the U.S.