Expert Compliance Insights & Tips for Businesses

On February 14th, 2025, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Acting General Counsel William Cowen rescinded more than a dozen NLRB labor law policies. Specifically, Memorandum 25-05 (GC 25-05) eliminates numerous labor law policies introduced as “memos” under previous administrations. 

On January 27th, 2025, President Donald J. Trump removed National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Member Gwynne A. Wilcox. Consequently, this leaves the NLRB with only two members: Chair Marvin E. Kaplan, a Republican, and Member David M. Prouty, a Democrat.

On January 28th, 2025, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Acting Chair Andrea Lucas announced an update to the agency’s gender ideology practices. Specifically, the agency is returning to its mission of protecting women from workplace sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination.

On January 21st, 2025, President Donald Trump signed the executive order “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” (EO). Generally, the EO aims to end illegal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Additionally, illegal diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility practices are also mentioned

On January 16th, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued antitrust guidelines for business activities affecting workers. Markedly, these guidelines were jointly issued with the Department of Justice’s (DOJ’s) Antitrust Division. In general, the guidelines explain how both the FTC and DOJ assess whether business practices affecting workers violate antitrust laws.

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released its 2024 Annual Performance Report (APR). The APR contains the EEOC’s program results, accomplishments, and management challenges for the fiscal year 2024.  

On January 10th, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) made civil monetary penalty adjustments for 2025. In brief, these penalties are assessed annually and enforced by the DOL. Altogether, the adjustments are pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Inflation Adjustment Act). The final rule is effective January 15th, 2025. 

On December 19th, 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its 2023 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), providing a count of workplace fatalities in the U.S. during the calendar year. In total, the BLS recorded 5,283 workplace fatalities in 2023. 

On December 11th, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a regulatory update regarding personal protective equipment (PPE). Specifically, the DOL stated that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) finalized revisions to the PPE standard for construction. 

On December 3, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it recovered a significant amount in wage and hour damages for employees. Specifically, the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) stated that it received more than $2.4 million for 341 employees.