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
Articles on U.S. Labor, Employment, Benefits & Immigration Law
Determining Work Authorization for Employees on TPS and Humanitarian Parole – Updated January 15, 2026
Determining Work Authorization for Employees on TPS and Humanitarian Parole – Updated January 15, 2026
The Trump administration has enacted significant policy changes impacting individuals authorized to work under various immigration programs, including Temporary Protected Status (TPS), humanitarian parole, and the CHNV programs.
tgelbman@littler.com Thu, 01/15/2026 – 09:54
Pay Transparency + the Power of Preventive Strategies: Episode 2 — Healthcare Compliance Crossroads
Fast-evolving challenges, including telehealth transitions and health system acquisitions, are redefining pay transparency/equity expectations. In this episode, we offer healthcare employers actionable insights for harmonizing compensation and boosting workforce morale amid industry-wide change.
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)
State Department to Suspend Consular Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries Starting 1.21.26
The Department of State is expected to pause consular immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries starting Jan. 21, 2026, according to multiple public reports. This development represents a significant expansion of the Trump Administration’s efforts that include more intensive screening and review of overseas visa applicants. The government reportedly is undertaking a wide‑ranging… Continue Reading
EntertainHR: Flag on the Play: Power Dynamics and Workplace Romance
Michigan football recently made headlines after the university terminated its head football coach following an internal investigation that revealed “credible evidence” of an inappropriate relationship between the former coach and a staff member. The university later affirmed its “zero tolerance” policy for such behavior. The decision and resulting headlines underscore the legal and reputational consequences that can arise when
Top Five Labor Law Developments for December 2025
The National Labor Relations Board has a quorum for the first time in nearly 12 months following the swearing-in of James Murphy and Scott Mayer as Board members. Their appointments restore the Board to the three-member quorum required to issue decisions. In addition, management-side attorney Crystal Carey was sworn in as the Board’s new general counsel (GC). The GC acts as the prosecutorial arm of the Board and is responsible for enforcing the National Labor Relations Act.
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.
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
Ninth Circuit Decision on EEO-1 Reports Is In, But the Case Is Not Over
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit case involving EEO-1 reports and the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) has taken another procedural turn. The court’s July 2025 decision in Center for Investigative Reporting v. U.S. Dep’t of Labor upheld the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California’s finding that workforce composition… Continue Reading…
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.
Navigating FMLA: DOL’s New Opinion Letter Clarifies Travel Time
- The DOL confirmed in a 01.05.26 opinion letter that FMLA leave may be used for time spent traveling to and from a medical appointment for a serious health condition.
- It also confirmed that a healthcare provider need not provide an estimate of travel time.
- The opinion letter provides helpful examples of when travel time is and is not related to a serious health condition.
DOT Random Drug and Alcohol Testing Rates for 2026
The Department of Transportation’s operating agencies have announced their random drug and alcohol testing rates for 2026. The rates are the same as 2025, except that the FRA Mechanical annual random alcohol testing rate has been decreased to 10%. Agency 2026 Random Drug Testing Rate 2026 Random Alcohol Testing Rate Federal Aviation Administration 25%…
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