Archives for February 1, 2026
7 Leadership Techniques To Retain Your Top Talent
Top talent makes up just a small percentage of your team, but they drive a lot of the impact. Get clear on who your top performers are, then lead in ways that keep them.
Trump Names ‘Data Nerd’ to Lead Labor Statistics Agency
The decision to nominate Brett Matsumoto, a career government economist, came six months after the president fired the previous commissioner.
When Is Work Done Voluntarily, And When Is It Coerced?
An expert look at coerced labor explains when work choices stop being voluntary and how power imbalances shape modern employment.
Why Coaching Is More Important To Managers Than Ever Before
In business, as in sport, the difference between high and mediocre performance can be small. Soft skills like confidence building and inspiration can be key.
‘Layoff Fatigue’ On The Rise As Serial Layoffs Become The New Norm
Learn why experts say “Layoff Fatigue” is on the uptick in 2026, as serial layoffs become the new normal, and what you can do to prevent or handle the problem.
Is Your Workplace Set Up for AI Agents?
AI’s true productivity gains require redesigning organizations, not merely adding AI to human-centered systems—much like factories once had to redesign around electricity. Current productivity estimates underestimate AI because they assume task automation within existing structures. Real gains come from restructuring data into machine-readable formats, exposing systems through APIs, and eliminating silos so agents can work across domains. As AI reduces coordination and cognitive limits, human roles should shift from execution to ownership and verification—defining goals, making value-based judgments, and ensuring accountability. With proper safeguards, agent-first organizations can achieve transformative, not marginal, improvements.
DHL Supply Chain (USA) to Pay $640,000 in EEOC Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Suit
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Exel Inc., doing business as DHL Supply Chain (USA), a leading supply chain logistics services provider headquartered in Westerville, Ohio, will pay $640,000 and provide other relief to resolve a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced today.
McDonald’s Franchisee Arch Fellow North to Pay $80,000 in EEOC Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
OKLAHOMA CITY – Arch Fellow North, LLC, owner and operator of eight McDonald’s restaurants in eastern Oklahoma, will pay $80,000 and provide other relief to settle a sexual harassment and constructive discharge lawsuit brought by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) on behalf of a teenage worker, the federal
Beltway Buzz, January 30, 2026
The Beltway Buzz® is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C., could impact your business.
Maine Will Launch PFML Benefits in May 2026
Maine’s paid family and medical leave (PFML) program will begin paying benefits on May 1, 2026. Employers with at least one employee in Maine began making contributions to the PFML fund in January 2025 through employee payroll deductions and employer contributions. On January 20, 2026, the Maine Paid Family and
9th Circuit Finds DHS Overstepped in Terminating TPS
9th Circuit Finds DHS Overstepped in Terminating TPS
On January 28, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the lower court’s decision in National TPS Alliance v. Noem, that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem overstepped her authority by vacating the previously granted Temporary
Reminder: OSHA 300A Posting Period Begins February 1
Employers covered by OSHA’s recordkeeping rules should prepare now for the upcoming deadline to post the OSHA 300A Annual Summary of workplace injuries and illnesses. The required posting period runs from February 1 through April 30, 2026, leaving limited time to review records and complete the summary of 2025 data. A summary is required even…
Policy Week in Review – January 30, 2026
Policy Week in Review – January 30, 2026
NLRB Division of Advice Recommends Dismissal of Expansive Charges
tgelbman@littler.com Fri, 01/30/2026 – 14:49
Navigating 2026: Pay Transparency Laws and Employer Obligations
Takeaways