Archives for November 13, 2025
Title VI Oversight Meets Data Reality: Comments on the ACTS Proposal Analyzed—Key Takeaways for Higher Education
With the comment period now closed on the U.S. Department of Education’s proposed Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) to its Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), more than 3,400 submissions reflect broad participation across higher education and the public. Announced on August 15, 2025, the proposed data collection would
The Rising Tide of RIFs: What Employers Need to Know Amidst AI Integration
A recent analysis indicated that October 2025 saw the most workers included in reductions-in-force (RIFs) in a single month in more than twenty years, as employers cut roles attributed largely to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential impact on the labor market. With RIFs apparently on the
Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Program: November 2025 End-of-Year Update
With the approaching end of 2025, the Massachusetts Department of Family and Medical Leave (DFML) has issued updated notices supporting Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave (MA PFML) compliance. Additionally, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued tax guidance for states with paid family and medical leave programs. Finally, the
Court Temporarily Pauses FMCSA Interim Final Rule Restricting Non-Domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses
The federal appeals court in the District of Columbia has placed a temporary administrative stay on implementation of a recent Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) interim final rule that would limit issuance and renewal of commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) for non-domiciled applicants individuals. Lujan, et al. v. Federal Motor
California’s 2026 Minimum Wage Increase: What Employers Must Update When the Floor Moves
California’s wage-and-hour framework is deliberately interconnected. A change in the statewide minimum wage—the foundation on which many other wage rules rest—triggers a cascade of downstream adjustments across classifications, premiums, postings, notices, and payroll operations. With the statewide minimum wage increasing to $16.90 per hour in 2026, California employers may want
Littler’s Semi-Annual Rates Update for Minimum Wage, Tips, and Exempt Pay Increases on January 1, 2026 (and Other Developments)
Littler’s Semi-Annual Rates Update for Minimum Wage, Tips, and Exempt Pay Increases on January 1, 2026 (and Other Developments)
Whether you’re planning to serve turkey or tofu during the holidays, we’re serving up notable rate-related developments since our mid-year update, along with known nonexempt and exempt employee rate changes that
New York City Adopts Expansion to Safe and Sick Leave Requirements
On October 25, 2025, New York City adopted Int. No. 0780-2024, after New York City Mayor Eric Adams returned the bill unsigned.
As we previously reported, the New York City Council passed a bill to amend the Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA) to incorporate the requirements under the
Los Angeles Updates Freelance Worker Protections Ordinance
Los Angeles Updates Freelance Worker Protections Ordinance
With the California Freelance Worker Protection Act (FWPA) now in effect statewide as of January 1, 2025, the City of Los Angeles recently revised its Freelance Worker Protections Ordinance (FWPO) to clarify how the two laws interact.
tgelbman@littler.com Wed, 11/12/2025 – 15:28
2026 Cost of Living Adjustments for Retirement Plans
The Internal Revenue Service recently announced its cost-of-living adjustments applicable to dollar limitations on benefits and contributions for retirement plans generally effective for Tax Year 2026 (see IRS Notice 2025-67). Most notably, the limitation on annual salary deferrals into a 401(k) or 403(b) plan will increase to $24,500, and the
Avoiding the Naughty List: Christmas Bonus Compliance for Puerto Rico Employers
TakeawaysThe Puerto Rico Christmas Bonus is a local tradition that comes with significant statutory requirements for employers.There are two tiers of employee eligibility and bonus amount depending on employee hire date and employer headcount.Employer profitability-related exemptions may apply, as do penalties of various percentages for failure to timely pay the Christmas Bonus.Article
‘Ban the Box’ Expands in Philadelphia: Latest Updates for Employers
TakeawaysPhiladelphia has amended its Fair Criminal Record Screening Standards ordinance, with changes going into effect 01.06.26.Among other changes, employers will only be able to consider misdemeanors convictions from the past four years (reduced from seven years) during the hiring or employee management process.Employers should update their procedures and practices to comply with the new law.Related link
Small Businesses Need Better HR Strategy Amid Uncertainty
HR strategy for small business doesn’t need to be complicated, but it should address all processes in the employee lifecycle through a well constructed workforce plan.
New Jersey Federal Court Says Remote Employee’s Retaliation Claims Belong in Pennsylvania
The U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey ruled that a claim by a remote employee in New Jersey over her Pennsylvania employer’s attempt to end her remote work arrangement, which allowed her to work from home in New Jersey, belongs in federal court in Pennsylvania. The court
Teacher’s $10 Million Jury Award in School Shooting Case Highlights Administrators’ Duties to Heed Violence Threats
An elementary school teacher shot by a six-year-old student was recently awarded $10 million in damages by a jury in Virginia, according to multiple reports. The case was brought against the former assistant principal, who allegedly failed to act on a warning that the student had a gun. The case,