Articles by Editorial Staff

Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Increasing to $15.00 Per Hour

Final Rule Issued to Increase Federal Contractor Minimum Wage

November 23, 2021

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The federal contractor minimum wage will experience a rise starting on January 30th, 2022. Basically, federal contractors, or companies who conduct business with the United States government, will be required to pay their workers $15.00 an hour as of that date. As a result, 390,000 employees working for these types of companies will receive the increase. The new federal contractor minimum wage ...

EEOC Releases Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance - October 2021

EEOC Issues Expanded COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance

October 26, 2021

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On October 25th, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced additions to their COVID-19 vaccine guidance. In short, it provides employers with crucial information on how to avoid possible workplace discrimination claims during the coronavirus pandemic. Indeed, as the number receiving COVID-19 vaccines rises, the EEOC wanted to address employers’ questions. Overall, the a...

OSHA Submits Vaccine Emergency Temporary Standard to White House

October 19, 2021

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently drafted a vaccine emergency temporary standard (ETS) and submitted it for approval. Accordingly, on October 12th, 2021, the agency delivered the ETS to the White House’s regulatory office. As mandated by President Joseph Biden’s recent six-pronged strategy to combat COVID-19, OSHA created the new emergency temporary standard. B...

COVID-19 Federal Contracts and Subcontracts

Federal Contracts to Include COVID-19-Related Contractor Clause

October 19, 2021

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On October 1st, 2021, the Federal Acquisition Regulatory (FAR) Council released a draft COVID-19-related contractor clause for covered contracts and subcontracts. Basically, the clause followed the release of President Joseph Biden’s Executive Order 14042. Overall, the Order ensures that parties who contract with the federal government provide adequate COVID-19 safeguards to their workers. Earl...

DOL Proposes Rule to Consider New Factors in Benefits Plan Management

October 18, 2021

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On October 13th, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a proposed benefits plan management rule. Generally, the rule would remove barriers to specific plan fiduciaries’ abilities. For instance, now considering climate change and other environmental, social, and governance factors when selecting investments and exercising shareholder rights. Earlier, in August 2021, the Internal Rev...

October 12, 2021

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DOL Cites Employer for COVID-19 Exposure

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has announced levying citations on a business for purposely allowing COVID-19 exposure. In summary, a federal workplace health investigation found that an auto insurance company ignored coronavirus safety requirements. Subsequently, it permitted individuals displaying symptoms to work at the exact location where an employee previously died of COVID-19. Since t...

Notice Clarifies COBRA Coverage Deadlines

October 11, 2021

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On October 7th, 2021, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued guidance relating to COBRA continuation coverage deadlines. Also written by the Department of Treasury, Notice 2021-58 clarifies current COBRA coverage deadlines in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the U.S. Departments of Labor and Health and Human Services will also follow the new guidance. Previously, in May 20...

Frequently Asked Questions on Affordable Care Act Implementation Released

October 11, 2021

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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) oversees the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including any Affordable Care Act implementation processes. In summary, the ACA is a 2010 comprehensive health care reform law designed to extend health coverage to Americans. Accordingly, the ACA includes premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions to help lower expenses for lower-income individuals ...

Federal Agency Issues Guidance on HIPAA and COVID-19

October 5, 2021

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On September 30, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued guidance on the connection between HIPAA and COVID-19. In summary, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects patient health information from disclosure without prior consent. Chiefly, the guidance addresses when HIPAA applies to disclosures and requests for information about a person receivi...

FBI and Cybersecurity Agency Warn of Increased Ransomware Cyberattacks

October 4, 2021

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The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) recently observed increases in ransomware cyberattacks. Indeed, in Alert AA21-265A, the agencies note the use of Conti ransomware in over 400 attacks on various global organizations. By and large, in Conti ransomware cyberattacks, malicious entities steal files, encrypt servers and workstat...

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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 Editorial Staff