Articles by Editorial Staff

February 19, 2021

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OSHA to Probe Whistleblower Complaints

Recently, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) would investigate additional types of whistleblower complaints. Specifically, these whistleblower complaints allege retaliation under the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020 (AMLA) and the Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act. This release comes after OSHA announced that the agency h...

February 16, 2021

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SBA Takes Steps to Improve Paycheck Protection Program

On February 10th, 2021, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced new steps to improve the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). According to the SBA, these updates allow small businesses to access PPP funds to stay afloat through the pandemic. The updates mostly include increasing access to underserved small businesses; assuring program integrity; and promoting rapid and efficient di...

February 16, 2021

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Investment Advice Exemption Rule Now in Effect

On February 16th, 2021, new fiduciary investment advice guidelines issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) went into effect. Enforced by the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the rule follows the guidelines explained within Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2020-02. This final rule comes after the DOL issued a rule on employee benefit plan rights. The Biden administration...

February 15, 2021

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CDC Updates COVID-19 Guidance on Masks, Vaccinations, and Quarantines

Since early February, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its COVID-19 guidance pertaining to exposure and containment. Specifically, the updated content has to do with mask protection, when to quarantine, and the use of vaccines. The th...

February 9, 2021

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EEOC Issues Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Performance Report

On January 19th, 2021, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a press release discussing the agency’s annual performance report. Namely, the EEOC announced that it secured a record amount of recovery for victims of discrimination. The agency also touted that it continued to provide vital services to the public through the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the EEOC reported on i...

February 8, 2021

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Tech Firm Resolves Discrimination Claims

The Department of Labor (DOL) has reached a settlement with Google LLC to resolve allegations of compensation and hiring discrimination. Announced February 1st, 2021, Google will pay over $3.8 million to more than 5,500 current employees and job applicants. The news release comes weeks after the DOL increased civil monetary fines and penalties for violating the agency’s laws. Background on Cas...

February 5, 2021

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Executive Order Expands Title IX LGBTQ Discrimination Prohibitions

On January 20th, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden signed Executive Order (EO) 13988 into law. The EO, as issued, expands sex discrimination prohibitions under both Title VII and Title IX. Specifically, the EO states sex discrimination can include discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. EO 13988 was one of the many Executive Orders that President Biden signed during...

February 3, 2021

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Extension for I-9 Compliance Flexibilities Announced

On January 27th, 2021, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced an extension to a temporary policy regarding Form I-9 compliance. This announcement is in addition to similar extensions granted throughout 2020 regarding compliance with Form I-9 rules. Now, due to continued COVID-19 precautions, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will extend this policy until March 31st, 202...

February 2, 2021

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OSHA Issues Stronger Workplace Guidance on COVID-19

On January 29th, 2021, the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced new workplace guidance on COVID-19. The safety guidance helps employers to implement a coronavirus prevention program and better identify workplac...

February 2, 2021

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UPDATED: Executive Order 13950 Training Prohibitions Overturned

Updated February 2nd, 2021 - (Originally Posted January 22nd, 2021) On January 20th, 2021, after taking office, President Joseph R. Biden overturned Executive Order (EO) 13950. Named “Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping,” EO 13950 prohibited federal contractors from including topics in their diversity and inclusion trainings. For example, EO 13950 specifically prohibited anti-American race a...

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Editorial Staff

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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