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.
Archives for February 8, 2026
DOL to Release EEO-1 Reports Following Ninth Circuit Ruling
On February 5, 2026, the parties in Center for Investigative Reporting v. U.S. Dep’t of Labor filed a stipulated request in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to lift the temporary stay that has paused the disclosure of federal contractors’ EEO-1 reports at the center of this case. Case Background In… Continue Reading…
New Jersey State Court Addresses Scope of NJEPA
Does the New Jersey Diane B. Allen Equal Pay Act (NJEPA) apply retroactively to claims for unequal pay that predate its effective date? Can a plaintiff-employee pursuing an unequal pay claim obtain discovery of comparator pay data nationwide, or are they limited only to those comparators working in New Jersey?
Fourth Circuit Allows Enforcement of DEI Executive Orders to Proceed
Fourth Circuit Allows Enforcement of DEI Executive Orders to Proceed
On February 6, 2026, The U.S.
tgelbman@littler.com Fri, 02/06/2026 – 15:26
California High Court Limits Use of Formatting and “Fine Print” Arguments to Defeat Arbitration
California High Court Limits Use of Formatting and “Fine Print” Arguments to Defeat Arbitration
The California Supreme Court (the “Court”) has confirmed that an arbitration agreement’s formatting—standing alone—does not render its terms substantively unconscionable, even where the text is difficult to read.1 The Court rejected efforts to “double count” formatting
Policy Week in Review – February 6, 2026
Policy Week in Review – February 6, 2026
DOL Announces Minimum Wage Rate Change for Federal Contractors
tgelbman@littler.com Fri, 02/06/2026 – 13:51
Home Care Agencies and Sign-On Bonuses: Understanding the Recent Advisory Opinion of HHS’s Office of Inspector General
On December 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General (OIG) published Advisory Opinion No. 25-12 (AO 25-12) concerning home care agencies’ proposal to market compensation packages, including sign-on bonuses, to prospective caregivers with the intention of employing them for the provision of personal
5 Ways Humans Still Beat AI In A Layoff Economy
AI is driving layoffs and faster decisions—but weakening human judgment. Here are five judgment skills leaders need to stay relevant in a layoff economy.
Colorado Implements Changes to Wage and Hour Rules for 2026
Several important changes will impact legal compliance for Colorado employers in 2026. This article summarizes the most notable changes, particularly concerning wage and hour rules.
DOL Notice Indicates Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Does Not Apply to Contracts Entered Into or Renewed After January 29, 2022
DOL Notice Indicates Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Does Not Apply to Contracts Entered Into or Renewed After January 29, 2022
In 2014 President Obama issued Executive Order 13658, creating a minimum wage for work performed on or in connection with certain federal contracts that is higher than the minimum wage
The Workplace Revenge Fantasy We All Need Now
“Send Help” is a modern take on a timeless workplace desire: destroying your boss
EEOC Consolidates Power, Signaling Aggressive, ‘America First’ Agenda Enforcement
In January 2026, through a series of party-line votes, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) continued its agency overhaul—revising internal voting procedures, restricting the general counsel’s litigation authority, and rescinding Biden-era harassment guidance.
The moves signal that agency scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, together with a
Kansas Passes Legislation to Restrict Transgender Bathroom Access in Government Buildings
Kansas recently became the latest state to pass legislation to restrict transgender individuals’ access to bathrooms and other private spaces in government-owned buildings. The legislation highlights legal questions over sex-segregated spaces in workplaces, as federal lawmakers consider national legislation in line with the Trump administration’s view that gender and sex
Managing Employee Leaves in California Without Getting Sued Workplace Wake-Up with Jen Shaw
California’s leave laws are some of the most employee-and lawsuit-friendly in the country. In this episode, Jen walks through the most common leave scenarios…
Untangling the Varying Requirements of State and Local Fair Workweek Laws
Untangling the Varying Requirements of State and Local Fair Workweek Laws
Many localities across the United States, including Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, Berkeley, San Francisco, and Emeryville, California; New York City, New York; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Chicago and Evanston, Illinois; Seattle, Washington; and the state of Oregon, have enacted a