Expert Compliance Insights & Tips for Businesses

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently issued a letter to 500 of the largest employers in the United States regarding Title VII compliance and potentially "illegal" DEI initiatives. Notably, the document was drafted for the chief executive officers, general counsel, and board chairs of these organizations.

On February 26th, 2026, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) officially reinstated its 2020 Joint Employer standard. Specifically, to do so, the agency needed to formally withdraw a 2023 Joint Employer standard. That final rule was to go into effect on February 26th, 2024.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released a new workplace job safety and health notice. Specifically, the OSHA Cares Job Safety and Health poster informs workers about their rights under the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act. Per OSHA’s poster page, employers do not have to replace existing posters with the new version at this time.

On February 26th, 2026, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed rule designed to help determine independent contractor status. Overall, the new independent contractor rule would help employers better understand when a worker is an employee. Conversely, the rule will allow employers to know when a worker could be classified as an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

On February 18th, 2026, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced the launch of a modern open data portal. Specifically, according to the DOL, the data portal makes information more transparent. The data portal itself is also an efficient way for users to access data on the American workforce.

On February 13th, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS’s) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced a new program involving substance use disorder information. Specifically, the program implements and enforces statutory and regulatory requirements that protect the confidentiality of substance use disorder patient records.

As February begins to wind down, the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL’s) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) wants to remind employers of their obligations regarding workplace injury and illness reporting. Specifically, many employers must submit workplace injury and illness information electronically by March 2nd, 2026.

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL’s) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the launch of a voluntary, self-guided initiative on workplace safety programs. The new OSHA framework outlines several core practices employers should incorporate into their workplace safety and health plans.

Starting next week, on February 16th, 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS’s) Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is requiring all health plans and most health care providers to update their Notices of Privacy Practices (NPPs). Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is also reminding employers of the upcoming deadline.

On January 23rd, 2026, the Department of the Treasury (DOT) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs). Specifically, Fact Sheet 2026-01 addresses the new deduction for qualified overtime compensation under the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB).