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
Weathering the Storm: Understanding Sleep Time Deductions for Extended Employee Shifts
In light of recent severe weather events, employers with round-the-clock operations—such as those in healthcare and other essential services—are likely facing workforce coverage concerns. One common solution involves requiring or permitting employees to remain on-site overnight during hazardous travel conditions. While all hours actively worked must be compensated, a significant
Potential Immigration Impacts on Employers of Another Government Shutdown
Just two and a half months after the fall 2025 record-breaking forty-three-day government shutdown ended, the federal government faces another partial shutdown if the U.S. Senate fails to pass additional appropriations bills by January 30, 2026.
New Jersey Issues Guidance on Language-Based Employment Discrimination
Employers that discriminate against employees and applicants based on their language may violate the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD) if the discrimination is tied to one or more protected characteristics, such as national origin, ancestry, nationality, race, religion, or disability, the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR) reminded
OFCCP’s Start to 2026—Proposed Funding and a Focus on Complaints and VEVRAA
The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) has begun 2026 with several information collection requests, along with a proposal to be funded in fiscal year (FY) 2026. These actions may help shape OFCCP’s priorities as the calendar year moves forward.
State Department Announces Suspension of Immigrant Visa Issuance for 75 Countries
Effective January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of State will pause issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from seventy-five designated countries. This announcement renews the Trump administration’s push for immigrants to demonstrate they are “financially self-sufficient and not a financial burden on Americans.” During this pause, the State Department will
Ontario’s Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025—Highlights
Ontario’s Working for Workers Seven Act, 2025 (Bill 30), introduced on May 28, 2025, received Royal Assent on November 27, 2025, and is now law. The introduction of six prior Working for Workers Acts significantly transformed Ontario’s labour and employment laws, influencing how employers operate and manage their workplaces. Following
Past Dismissals Aren’t Factored When Assessing Threshold for Proposed Redundancies, UK EAT Holds
Employers in the United Kingdom do not have to take into account past dismissals when deciding whether the threshold to trigger collective redundancy consultation obligations has been reached, the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) found.
Beltway Buzz, January 23, 2026
Congress Faces Government Funding Deadline While Winter Storm Looms. The November 2025 legislative deal that ended the record-breaking forty-three–day federal government shutdown expires one week from today—January 30, 2026. The good news is that lawmakers are not signaling much of a desire for another shutdown (at least not yet). Since
New Jersey Enacts ‘Historic’ Expansion of the New Jersey Family Leave Act
EEOC Rescinds Biden-Era Guidance Recognizing Unlawful Harassment Over Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity
On January 22, 2026, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) voted 2–1 to rescind anti-harassment guidance issued in 2024 under the Biden administration, which included guidance related to issues of gender identity discrimination and harassment against LGBTQ+ individuals. With a quorum and Republican majority at the EEOC, the rescission