A group of Democratic US senators sent a letter to the Department of Labor expressing alarm over a significant drop in workplace safety enforcement under the Trump administration in 2025. In the…
Archives for March 24, 2026
One Big Beautiful Bill’s Impact on TPS Work Permits
One Big Beautiful Bill’s Impact on TPS Work Permits
On July 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed into law H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” This federal budget reconciliation law addresses various issues including tax policy, border security and immigration, defense, energy production, the debt ceiling, and modifications
Washington Becomes Latest State to Ban Noncompete Agreements
On March 23, 2026, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed into law a bill banning nearly all noncompete agreements for employees and independent contractors, effective June 30, 2027. The law, Substitute House Bill (SHB) 1155, declares that all “noncompetition agreements” are “void and unenforceable” after that date, and prohibits employers from
Washington Bans Noncompetes—and Most Training Repayment Agreements With Them
Washington Bans Noncompetes—and Most Training Repayment Agreements With Them
On March 23, 2026, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1155 (ESHB 1155), implementing an extensive noncompetition prohibition in Washington State. Beginning June 30, 2027, all noncompetition covenants are void and unenforceable unless they fall under an exception
The Form I-9 “Hire Date” Trap
Employers have become highly efficient at onboarding new hires. Electronic systems now allow employees to complete tax forms, benefits elections, and employment paperwork before their first day of work. That efficiency has created a surprisingly common
Cross-Border Catch-Up: Mutual Separation Agreements Across Multinational Jurisdictions (Podcast)
In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Kristyn Lambert (New Orleans) and Samantha Duncan (Washington) explore how multinational employers can effectively use mutual separation agreements (MSAs) to navigate employment terminations in jurisdictions that do not recognize at-will employment. The speakers cover a four-step framework for evaluating whether an
Half of the workforce is struggling, Gallup study shows
Forty-nine percent of employees told the research firm last fall that they were facing challenges in their lives.
Utah’s New Workplace Violence Reporting Law: What Hospitals Need to Know
Workplace violence in healthcare is not a new issue, but it is an escalating one. In response, Utah has taken a significant step with the passage and enactment of House Bill (H.B.) 380, a law aimed at better understanding and ultimately reducing violence against healthcare workers.
How To Lead Like A Woman And Own Your Power At Work
Here are 6 actionable ways to align with your natural leadership style and own your power – without needing to change everything about yourself.
Ninth Circuit Says Severability Clause Doesn’t Negate Arbitrator’s Authority to Decide Validity
On March 19, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed a lower court’s refusal to compel arbitration, holding that a generic severability clause does not undermine a clear delegation of arbitrability to the arbitrator. The arbitration agreement at issue incorporated institutional arbitration rules, which delegated questions
Finding the Best Place to Work: A Look at Careers at More Than 1,700 Companies
A new analysis shows which workplaces provide the best earnings potential and professional growth—overall and for your specific job.
Survey reveals what drives workplace happiness
A new study is revealing how the environemnt you work in can contribute to your overall happiness.
California Workplace AI Notice and Disclosure Bill Would Impose Hefty Penalties
Introduced by Assembly Member Nick Schultz on February 12, 2026, Assembly Bill 1898 (AB 1898) would impose significant new notice and transparency obligations on California employers that use AI-powered tools to manage workers or make employment-related decisions. If signed into law, this bill would represent one of the most comprehensive
3 Surprising Things You Can Do At Work To Boost Creativity
Creativity habits may surprise you at work because they are counter intuitive yet easy to implement everyday.
Payroll is Not a Defense: Regular Rate Mistakes That Trigger Lawsuits Workplace Wake-Up with Jen Shaw
Think your payroll provider has wage-and-hour covered? Think again. From regular rate miscalculations to meal period premium errors and bonus mistakes, the…