Articles by Erick Lange

October 31, 2023

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FTC Amends Safeguards Rule to Include Data Security Breach Reporting

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently approved an amendment to its Safeguards Rule to introduce the data security breach reporting requirement for all covered entities, including non-banking financial institutions. Specifically, this requirement applies when a non-banking financial institution discovers that information affecting 500 or more people has been exposed without authorization. ...

Company Pays $3.2M to Settle Exempt Worker Misclassification Case

October 31, 2023

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The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced on October 27 that a company in Massachusetts paid $3.2 million to settle an exempt worker misclassification case that affected over 700 sales representatives. The DOL found that the employer had misclassified the employees as exempt from overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act’s (FLSA’s) administrative exemption rule. In July 2023, the DOL s...

October 26, 2023

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California Legislative Updates – October 2023

The following legislation was recently passed in the state of California. As an employer, the information included in this post may apply to your business. It is every employer’s responsibility to verify that they are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Assembly Bill 933 (2023-2024) Privileged Communications: Incident of Sexual Assault On October 10th, 2023, Governor Gavin Ne...

October 25, 2023

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Agencies Announce Plan to Protect Migrant Workers in the H-2B Program

On October 19th, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), along with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announced new efforts to strengthen protections for migrant workers under the H-2B program. According to the agencies, these individuals are often vulnerable to exploitation under more unscrupulous employ...

October 25, 2023

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SEC Examines Non-Disclosure Agreements for Securities Law Violations

Recent court cases have shown that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) continues to examine non-disclosure agreements for securities law violations. Specifically, this refers to violations of Rule 21F-17 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act). This rule is critical to the SEC’s ability to protect workers under the Dodd-Frank Act and prote...

Contractor to Pay Settlements for Labor Law Violations in Two Cases

October 25, 2023

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This month, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) secured significant settlements in two cases for different labor law violations at the same company. In the first case, investigators found wage and hour violations at a federally-contracted provider of security and facility services. The contractor was ordered to pay over $1 million. In the second case, the same security and facility services prov...

October 18, 2023

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NIOSH Launches National Respirator Survey

On October 12th, 2023, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced that they will launch a national survey of employers to assess current respirator use and practices in the workplace. This is the first time since 2001 that the agency has sought updated data on employers’ respiratory protection practices. The survey will collect data from U.S. employers across al...

October 18, 2023

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CA Expands Law to Prohibit Discrimination for Prior Cannabis Use

Earlier this month, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 700, which amends the state’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) to protect applicants from discrimination for prior cannabis use. The law also provides for some specific exceptions. This isn’t the first time California has expanded cannabis law into the realm of employment. In October 2022, Governor Newsom signed ...

Firm Pays $2.4M in Age Discrimination Case

October 18, 2023

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The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently announced that a pharmaceutical company in Indianapolis, Indiana, will pay $2.4 million in a nationwide age discrimination lawsuit. According to the EEOC’s charges, the company failed to hire older individuals (over 40 years of age) for pharmaceutical sales representative roles. Last month, the EEOC reached a settlement in a separ...

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About author

Erick Lange

Recent Articles

Practical articles on HR, Safety, compliance, and people operations—written for real businesses, not legal textbooks.

EPA Aligns Hazardous Chemical Requirements with Latest Hazard Communication Standard

At the end of June, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a final rule updating the agency’s current hazardous chemical inventory reporting requirements. Specifically, the rule aligns those requirements with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA’s) Hazard...

EEOC Rescinds Permissible Affirmative Action Guidance

On June 30, 2026, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) officially rescinded two longstanding documents relating to permissible affirmative action. The documents were part of the EEOC's guidance on affirmative action under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

USCIS, E-Verify Issues Updated Temporary Protected Status Guidance for Seven Countries

On June 25th, 2026, the United States Supreme Court (Court) issued a decision in Mullin v. Doe that has ramifications for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for some employees. Specifically, the decision allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to move forward with ending...

DOJ Challenges EEOC's Stance on Disparate Impact Claims

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) recently issued a legal opinion that may signal major changes ahead in federal workplace discrimination enforcement. In a June 9, 2026 memorandum, the DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) expressed the opinion that the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's...

Department of Labor Issues 2026 Civil Penalty Update: No Adjustments This Year

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently published its annual update announcement regarding federal civil monetary penalties under the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act. In a notice published in the Federal Register on May 27th, 2026, the DOL announced that no penalty increases...

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Articles by Erick Lange