New Illinois Employment Laws (Likely) Coming Soon!
The Illinois Legislature has been busy this 2024 session, passing more than 10 new employment laws or amendments to existing employment laws in May 2024, only one of which in any manner affirmatively helps employers.ย
Labor & Employment Attorney Alexander “A.J.” Harwin Joins FordHarrison’s Los Angeles Office as Partner
“Disability & Diversity in the New Political, Legal & Business Landscape,” The National Disability Inclusion Roundtableโข
U.S. Department of Labor Announces It Will No Longer Enforce 2024 Independent Contractor Rule
On May 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a Field Assistance Bulletin confirming that it will no longer enforce a 2024 Biden-era independent contractor rule.
FordHarrison Adds Seven Associates Across Numerous Offices
Federal Courts Temporarily Block Enforcement of U.S. Department of Education “Dear Colleague Letter” Barring “Illegal DEI” in Education and Certification Requirements
On April 24, 2025, two federal district courts issued rulings blocking the U.S. Department of Education from enforcing its directive set out in a February 2025 “Dear Colleague Letter” aimed at eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs in federally funded preschools, kโ12 schools and higher education institutions. A third federal court also ruled on the issue, but only to bar enforcement of the Letter’s compliance certification requirement.
Spartanburg Counsel Brianna L. Schill Recognized in 2025 South Carolina Rising Stars List
EEOC Submits Proposed 2024 EEO-1 Instructions to OMB
The EEOC recently submitted its proposed 2024 EEO-1 Instruction Booklet to the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval. The proposal indicates that the EEO-1 Component 1 data collection will open on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, with a filing deadline of Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
Executive Order: Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy (April 23, 2025, President Donald J. Trump)
On April 23, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) titled Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy, which follows a string of prior EOs aimed at removing DEI programs, which we covered here and here. This most recent EO seeks to eliminate the use of disparate-impact liability across federal agencies, marking a significant shift in how civil rights statutes, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, could be enforced.
All-Female Spaceflight Highlights Ongoing Shifts in DEI Policies
Last week, the most recent Blue Origin flight went to space. Unlike past voyages, all passengers were female, including a couple of celebrities. Like with anything these days, some hailed it as progress while others criticized it as a publicity stunt.
What I find interesting as a labor employment attorney
Kevin M. Sullivan Joins FordHarrison’s Tampa Office As Partner
Supreme Court Temporarily Stays Reinstatement of NLRB Member Wilcox
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Member Gwynne A. Wilcox is out of a job, again, for the third time in less than four months.
EntertainHR: Modern Family, Modern Workforce: How Managers and Employees Interact
Over the past few months, I dove headfirst into another show that had a long, successful run that I completely missed: Modern Family. Modern Family is a comedy about a large extended family living in Los Angeles, California. The extended family consists of the Pritchetts, the Dunphys, and the Pritchett/Tuckers.