On January 29, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced an award of $1 million paid to a whistleblower for information that led to the prosecution of antitrust violations and fraud in automobile auctions under its newest monetary program—the Antitrust Whistleblower Award Program, launched in July 2025 and largely
As Flu Season Surges, Fourth Circuit Offers Guidance on Vaccine Mandate Litigation
May an employer ask an employee about his or her vaccination status? And may the employer then take an adverse employment action based on that status? A recent case from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, Finn v. Humane Society of the United States, found that employers
Pay Attention or Pay Up: A Costly Lesson in New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Noncompliance
On January 28, 2026, the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, issued a landmark decision in Cano and Bonelli v. County Concrete Corp.—a case that marks the first published appellate interpretation of New Jersey’s Earned Sick Leave Law (ESLL).
Washington State Seeks Input on New Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring Work Plan Rules
Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) is moving to make changes to its excavation, trenching, and shoring standard, and they want to hear from employers. On February 10-12, 2026, Washington’s State Department of Labor & Industries will hold public hearings on DOSH’s proposal to amend Chapter 296-155-655 WAC,
Beltway Buzz, January 30, 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.
Maine Will Launch PFML Benefits in May 2026
Maine’s paid family and medical leave (PFML) program will begin paying benefits on May 1, 2026. Employers with at least one employee in Maine began making contributions to the PFML fund in January 2025 through employee payroll deductions and employer contributions. On January 20, 2026, the Maine Paid Family and
Three Takeaways From the NLRB’s FY 2025 Petition Statistics
Workers in 2025 filed the fewest union election petitions since 2022, according to recently released annual statistics from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), but filings still topped the first two years of the Biden administration, suggesting continued interest in organizing.
NLRB Clarifies New Charge Intake Procedures Aimed at Reducing Backlog
On January 28, 2026, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) issued a notice regarding a recent modification to its procedure for processing and assigning unfair labor practice cases, which requires charging parties to submit evidence and documentation before a case is docketed. The notice clarifies that the new procedure does
The EU Pay Transparency Directive’s Progress Explained
With less than six months before the EU Pay Transparency Directive 2023/970 deadline of 7 June 2026, no member state has yet published a completed piece of legislation. Employers can expect an increase in updates at the member state level in the next few months. Those that do not stay
Maine Enacts Law Requiring Employers to Notify Employees About Surveillance Tools
On January 11, 2026, Maine enacted a law (House Paper (H.P.) 25 / Legislative Document (L.D.) 61) prohibiting employers from using surveillance tools without first informing job applicants and employees. The new law, which took effect immediately, is part of a growing trend of states restricting employers’ ability to monitor
Managing Risk During a Government Shutdown: What Contractors Should Know
Government shutdowns can throw a wrench into the gears of even the most well-oiled contracting operations. When Congress and the president fail to pass a funding bill, the resulting lapse in appropriations can halt nonessential federal activities, leaving contractors in a precarious position.
But fear not—by taking proactive steps and
Sexual Harassment Case Ends in $5.5 Million Verdict
On January 16, 2026, a jury awarded an employee $5.5 million in a sexual harassment and retaliation case in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. A former security guard for a private security firm in Atlanta sued for hostile work environment, negligence, and unlawful discharge.
Clarification From Germany’s Federal Labor Court: 3rd League Soccer Referees Are Not Employees
Soccer fans are familiar with the nerve-wracking situation in which players and spectators have to wait for the video assistant referee (VAR) to review a decision during a soccer match, and a referee sometimes reverses his previous decision after a long wait. The referees in the third division may have
Pivotal Healthcare Labor and Employment Law Issues in 2025 Continue on Into 2026
In 2025, employers in the healthcare industry navigated challenges imposed by rapid change and a shifting regulatory landscape, including changes related to artificial intelligence (AI) and data privacy, staffing and wage and hour concerns, workplace safety, and immigration. In 2025, Ogletree published on many of these issues, which are summarized
ACTS Countdown: Who Must File, What to Report, and What’s at Stake?
On December 18, 2025, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) opened the new IPEDS Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) after receiving approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). ACTS operationalizes the August 5, 2025, presidential memorandum and the secretary’s directive on “Ensuring Transparency in Higher Education