As Mental Health Awareness Month (annually observed each May) draws attention to the prevalence of mental health conditions in the workplace, employers should be reminded that mental health conditions may qualify as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and, if so, employers have the same reasonable accommodation obligations
Archives for May 10, 2026
Beltway Buzz, May 8, 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.
DHS Rule Proposing Changes to F, J, and I Visa Programs Under Final Review
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) proposed rule that would eliminate the longstanding duration of status system for individuals admitted as foreign students, exchange visitors, or representatives of foreign media has been submitted to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for final review.
Laptops at the Ballpark: Concerns for Employers Managing Remote Workers
Baseball is often referred to as “America’s pastime,” but for some baseball fans, it may double as worktime. While employers have long known that workers occasionally play hooky to attend afternoon ballgames, viral videos and photos now show employees openly using laptops in the stands, raising legal and compliance questions
Employers Gain as Second Circuit Restricts Out-of-State Plaintiffs from Joining FLSA Collective Actions
TakeawaysRelying on the U.S. Supreme Court’s Bristol-Myers decision, the Second Circuit held in Provencher that out-of-state plaintiffs cannot join an FLSA collective action. The Second Circuit joins the solid majority of federal circuits in its holding.As a result, employers will be less vulnerable to nationwide collective actions in any jurisdiction where they are not incorporated and also do not have their principal place of business.Related linkProvencher v. Bimbo Foods Bakeries Distrib. LLCArticle
Maine Revises Drug Testing Law, Broadens Employers’ Drug Testing Options
Significant revisions to the Maine Substance Use Testing Law, 26 Maine Rev. Stat. 681 et seq., will take effect on July 29, 2026. Maine House Bill 1425 (2025-2026). New Types of Tests Permitted Maine law currently permits pre-employment testing, “probable cause” testing, and random testing in certain circumstances. The revised law will permit pre-employment testing…
Dirty Steel-Toe Boots: Inside the Beltway—Unpacking the DOL’s Shifting Leadership (Podcast)
In Washington, D.C., there is a saying: “personnel is policy.” In this episode of our Dirty Steel-Toe Boots podcast series, shareholders Phillip Russell (Tampa) and Jim Plunkett (Washington) break down the significance of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s departure and the rise of Acting Secretary Keith Sonderling for employers. They examine
Early Dismissal of Applications by HRTO Critiqued by Ontario’s Divisional Court (Podcast)
In this podcast, Kathryn Bird (Toronto), Erin Schachter (Montréal), and Shir Fulga (Toronto) examine the Ontario Divisional Court’s 2025 decision in Bokhari v. Top Medical Transport Center Services, which reviewed the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario’s preliminary dismissal of a disability discrimination claim. The discussion focuses on the tribunal’s use
The job market is healing for everyone—except in the office
The April jobs report showed America is hiring again at the strongest pace in over a year, but white-collar sectors keep shedding workers, and AI may be part of why.
10 percent happier at work: Dan Harris on mental health, burnout and more
This post was originally published on this site.
It feels as though the employee benefits industry is constantly moving and changing, which can be overwhelming for employers and employees alike. In fact, according to a report, over half of Americans experience burnout. Dan Harris addressed mental health and burnout during his keynote at the BenefitsPRO Broker Expo, held
ICE’s I-9 Shift Changes When Employers Can Fix Errors
ICE’s updated I-9 guidance expands which errors may be treated as substantive violations, changing when employers can still fix issues before penalties apply.
How playing golf alone can make you better at your job
Former ESPN The Magazine editor Gary Belsky has a new book arguing that solo rounds deliver what group golf never can: focus, mental space, recalibration.
EEOC Files Subpoena Enforcement Action Against Psychological Dimensions, LLC
DENVER – The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced today the filing of a federal court action to enforce two administrative subpoenas issued against Psychological Dimensions, LLC, a company which conducts psychological assessments for job applicants with the Arapahoe Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) and the Board of County Commissions for
Why The Most Productive Person In Your Hiring Pool Is Probably A Mom
Mothers are the most productive people in your hiring pool, backed by data and CEO experiences. Learn why being a mom makes women even more effective at work.
Why Employees Hurt Their Career By Staying In Jobs They Have Outgrown
Staying in your job may feel like the safest career move, but strong performance can hide stalled growth. Many capable employees stay too long without realizing the risk.