Although later than anticipated, the New York State Legislature has just passed an amendment to the New York Retail Worker Safety Act (S8358C/A8947C, Chapter 308) that would extend the effective date of the act’s workplace violence prevention policy, training, and notice provisions from March 4, 2025, to June 2, 2025.
Seventh Circuit Rules Forfeiture-for-Competition Clauses Under Delaware Law Enforceable and Not Subject to Reasonableness Review
In 2021, LKQ Corporation (LKQ) filed suit against Robert Rutledge, its former plant manager, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. LKQ alleged that Rutledge’s working for a competitor within nine months of his leaving LKQ breached his restricted stock unit (RSU) agreements and his separate
Seventh Circuit Clarifies Plaintiffs’ Evidentiary Burden in FLSA Cases
In Osborn v. JAB Management Services, Inc., No. 24-1573 (January 22, 2025), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit affirmed a district court’s entry of summary judgment in favor of an employer on a former employee’s overtime claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), finding her testimony
The Opening Act: Significant Developments in Trump’s First Two Weeks
During the first two weeks in office, President Donald Trump’s administration released many policies impacting employers in areas like immigration, labor, and workplace safety, and reshaping federal regulatory and enforcement policies regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and unlawful employment discrimination and harassment.
Here is a roundup summarizing the key
Federal Judge Blocks President Trump’s Executive Order on Birthright Citizenship
On February 5, 2025, a federal judge in Maryland issued a nationwide preliminary injunction that halts President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at terminating birthright citizenship for children born in the United States to undocumented and temporary immigrants.
DOJ Effectively Pauses Its Civil Rights Division’s Litigation, Which May Impact IER’s Pursuit of New Claims
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a directive to its Civil Rights Division, freezing all ongoing or new litigation. The specifics of the freeze are not clear; however, it appears to freeze new claims presented to the DOJ’s Immigrant and Employee Rights Section (IER).
Trump Administration’s ‘Regulatory Freeze Pending Review’ Pauses OSHA’s Rulemaking on Heat Illness and Emergency Response
The second term of President Donald J. Trump started with a flurry of executive orders, presidential memoranda, and directives, some of which were signed on January 20, 2025, shortly after he took the oath of office. While the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is not mentioned by name in
More Shake-Up of NLRB: President Trump Appoints New NLRB Acting General Counsel
On February 3, 2025, President Donald Trump appointed William B. Cowen as the new acting general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), according to a statement from the NLRB. The move comes days after President Trump discharged Acting General Counsel Jessica Rutter, who served for less than a
Laken Riley Act Could Impact U.S. Visa Stamping for Certain Foreign Nationals
On January 29, 2025, President Trump signed the first bill of his second presidential term into law. The legislation, named the Laken Riley Act, gives substantial power to state attorneys general (and other authorized state officers) to interpret and implement federal immigration policies.
IRS Issues Guidance on Federal Tax Treatment of State Paid Family and Medical Leave Contributions and Benefits
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released new guidance on the federal income and employment tax treatment of contributions and benefits paid under state paid family and medical leave (PFML) statutes. This guidance also outlines the related reporting requirements for employers and employees. There was no published guidance that addressed
Love Actually (Might Cause Legal Troubles for Employers)
Valentine’s Day is around the corner, so the time is right to consider the legal pitfalls of office romances.
Maryland’s FAMLI Program, Part III: Claims and Dispute Resolution Proposed Regulations
Starting July 1, 2026, Maryland’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) law will provide up to twelve weeks of paid family and medical leave, with the possibility of an additional twelve weeks of paid parental leave, through a state-run program. Contributions from employers and employees to fund the program will
Beltway Buzz, January 31, 2025
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.
OFCCP Welcomes New Acting Director Amidst Policy Shift
In a significant move, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has announced that Michael Schloss will be the new acting director and deputy director of policy. This announcement comes as part of the Trump administration’s broader strategy to reshape the agency’s mission following the issuance of executive order
Resetting the EEOC: President Trump Removes Two EEOC Commissioners, Discharges General Counsel
President Donald Trump removed Democratic U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC) commissioners Charlotte A. Burrows and Jocelyn Samuels and discharged EEOC general counsel Karla Gilbride. The removal of the commissioners upends the Democratic voting majority on the EEOC. This development could potentially lead to the rescission of more of the EEOC