A new opinion letter from the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division explains that employees may use leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) not only to attend qualifying medical appointments, but also for the time spent traveling to and from those appointments. Notably, employers
CBP’s Proposed Changes to the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA for B-1 and B-2 Visitors
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has proposed significant updates to its Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application process. ESTA is an automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to and enter the United States (by air, sea, or land) under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
Revisions to New York’s Trapped at Work Act Already in the Works
Just weeks after New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law prohibiting certain “stay or pay” agreements, state lawmakers have proposed new amendments that, if enacted, would allow employers to require reimbursement for educational expenses for degrees or licenses that qualify employees for other jobs with other employers but that
Proposed Federal Regulation Pushes for More Price Transparency in Health Plans
On December 23, 2025, three federal agencies released a proposed rule to make costs more transparent in health plans. The proposal aligns with an executive order that President Donald Trump issued in February 2025 to enforce regulations requiring hospitals and health plans to make actual prices for medical services easier
USCIS Premium Processing Fees Will Increase on March 1, 2026
On January 12, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule that will increase fees associated with its Premium Processing Service. The increased fees will take effect on March 1, 2026, and are based on inflation measured from June 2023 through June 2025.
New York City Now Requires Construction Safety Training to Include Mental Health and Substance Abuse Awareness
On January 3, 2026, the New York City Council enacted legislation (Int. No. 1384-2025) amending Local Law 126 of 2021, which regulates the city’s site safety training (SST) requirements. The new amendment mandates new training on mental health awareness, alcohol and substance misuse, and suicide risk and prevention for construction
Snow Days and the FMLA: DOL Clarifies How Partial-Week Closures Count Toward Leave
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division has issued a new opinion letter, FMLA2026-2, clarifying how to calculate leave usage under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) when an employer shuts down operations for less than a full workweek due to unscheduled events, such as inclement
New Jersey Department of Labor’s Employer Access Portal Is Live—Required and Optional Information
New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL) has changed how employers must provide employee separation–related information. This update explains what has changed operationally and what employers can do now to remain compliant and avoid delays or penalties in the unemployment process.
New Florida Law Compels Certain Employers to Include Background Check Resource in Job Listings
Certain organizations in Florida that work with children and vulnerable adults must link to the Agency for Health Care Administration’s (AHCA) new background checks resource in their job postings for any position that requires a screening through Florida’s Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse, commonly referred to as Level 2 Background
USCIS Broadens Scope of Adjudication Hold for Pending Benefit Requests of Certain Foreign Nationals
On January 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0194, expanding its suspension of adjudicating pending benefit requests filed by or on behalf of foreign nationals from countries named in Presidential Proclamation 10998, issued December 16, which added new countries to the existing travel ban list.
State Department’s Visa Bond Program: 32 New Countries and 6 New Airports Added to the List
The U.S. Department of State announced an update to its “Countries Subject to Visa Bonds” notice on January 6, 2026, expanding the pilot program to include thirty-two additional nations—including Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Uganda, and Venezuela—and expanding acceptable ports of entry to include nine international airports in the United States and
Beltway Buzz, January 9, 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.
New York Federal Court Says Denial of Remote Work Not Equivalent to Disability Discrimination
On January 2, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled that the denial of an employee’s request to continue working from home as a disability accommodation was not enough to constitute disability discrimination, finding that the failure to accommodate alone is not an adverse
The Evolution of Workplace Drug Testing: What Employers Need to Know for 2026
The legal landscape for workplace drug testing is likely to see some significant changes in 2026. This article summarizes the shifts in federal and state policy, continuing and emerging challenges for employers, and what employers can do to be prepared in 2026.
Flu Season at Work in Germany: Who Is Actually Unable to Work?
Every year, flu season presents companies in Germany with similar questions: What happens if an employee falls ill while on vacation? Can they work from home, and how should sick children be dealt with? The following guide provides some orientation.