Articles by Editorial Staff

IRS Releases 2025 HSA Contribution Limits

IRS Releases 2025 HSA Contribution Limits

May 29, 2024
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On May 24th, 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a revenue procedure regarding Health Savings Accounts (HSA) contribution limits. Specifically, Rev. Proc. 2024-25 provides 2025 HSA limits adjusted for inflation. Additionally, the IRS’s revenue procedure communicates the maximum amount newly available for excepted benefit health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs). The revenue proced...
OSHA Announces Final Rule Updating the Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA Announces Final Rule Updating the Hazard Communication Standard

May 23, 2024
127 view(s)
On May 20th, 2024, the Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule updating the current Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). Specifically, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) created the update to better protect workers. Explicitly, the changes improve the information on labels and safety data sheets (SDSs). This will allow workers and first responders to react quickly...
HHS Issues New Affordable Care Act Nondiscrimination Regulations

HHS Issues New Affordable Care Act Nondiscrimination Regulations

May 21, 2024
65 view(s)
On May 6th, 2024, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a final rule under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Specifically, the HHS’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) drafted the rule. Chiefly, it advances protections against discrimination in health care. Earlier, in late 2023, the HHS adjusted Health Insura...
DOL to Restructure OSHA Regional Operations

DOL to Restructure OSHA Regional Operations

May 14, 2024
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On May 8th, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced future changes to the structure of OSHA regional operations. Basically, the DOL believes that these updates to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) structure will direct resources more effectively. Additionally, OSHA would become more resilient when investigating workplace safety hazard complaints. Markedly, ...
EEOC Updates Workplace Guidance on Harassment

EEOC Updates Workplace Guidance on Harassment

May 7, 2024
45 view(s)
On April 29th, 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued revised workplace guidance on harassment. In summary, “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace” explains the legal standards and employer liability applicable to harassment claims. Significantly, those legal standards are the federal employment discrimination laws enforced by the EEOC. Recently, in mid-Ap...
FTC Announces Rule Banning Noncompete Agreements

FTC Announces Rule Banning Noncompete Agreements

May 2, 2024
31 view(s)
Recently, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a final rule banning noncompete agreements in most aspects of employment. Specifically, the agency believes the ban will help promote competition between businesses. As a result of eliminating noncompete agreements, the FTC says a worker’s fundamental freedom to change jobs is now protected. Additionally, the agency believes that innovation wi...
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Final Regulations Issued

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act Final Regulations Issued

April 30, 2024
47 view(s)
On April 15th, 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a final rule to implement the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). Overall, the final rule is guidance from the federal agency regarding how they will interpret the PWFA. Markedly, the final rule was published in the Federal Register on April 19. It becomes effective June 18th, 2024. It is important to realize that ...
DOL Announces Final Rule on Overtime Protections

DOL Announces Final Rule on Overtime Protections

April 26, 2024
54 view(s)
On April 23rd, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and the Biden Administration announced a final rule that expands overtime protections. Specifically, the final rule ensures overtime pay for most low-paid salaried workers who earn less than $844 a week (or $43,888 a year). Additionally, the final rule includes an automatic increase within six months of its effective date. By the DOL’s est...
Supreme Court: “Significant Harm” Not Required in Title VII Cases

Supreme Court: “Significant Harm” Not Required in Title VII Cases

April 23, 2024
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On April 17th, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court (Court) issued a ruling involving employees and the concept of “significant harm.” Chiefly, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act (Title VII), employees do not need to suffer significant harm to claim discrimination. Consequently, the ruling rejected a level of proof of harm that many lower courts required. Explicitly, that level of proof limited cl...
Nationwide Staffing Agency to Pay $2.2M in EEOC Hiring Discrimination Lawsuit

Nationwide Staffing Agency to Pay $2.2M in EEOC Hiring Discrimination Lawsuit

April 17, 2024
47 view(s)
On April 9, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced that a Los Angeles, California-based staffing company will pay $2.2 million to settle a hiring discrimination lawsuit. Notably, the company’s discriminatory practices were against a staggeringly wide range of federally-protected classes. This included race, sex, age, disability, and pregnancy status discrimination. Co...