Articles by Editorial Staff

EEOC Launches Initiative for Vulnerable Workers

February 6, 2024

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On January 29th, 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) launched what is known as the REACH initiative (Initiative). Specifically, the agency named the new program “Enhancing OutREACH to Vulnerable Workers and Underserved Communities.” In summary, the REACH initiative is a multi-year effort that focuses on ensuring that the EEOC’s outreach and education efforts effectivel...

DOL Recovers $900K for Overtime Violations

January 30, 2024

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The Department of Labor (DOL) recently announced recovering $901,625 in back wages and liquidated damages for workers denied overtime pay. Specifically, the January 24 release states that a Florida grocery store employer wrongly exempted 75 workers from overtime pay. Markedly, wage and hour standards under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) include a federal minimum wage, mandatory overtime pa...

IRS Releases Guidance on Reporting Digital Asset Transactions

January 23, 2024

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On January 16th, 2024, the Treasury Department and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released information regarding digital asset transactions for employers. In summary, the IRS released Announcement 2024-4, informing businesses about updates to the reporting of digital asset transactions. Explicitly, employers will not need to report the receipt of digital assets like they must report the receipt...

Final Rule Targets Worker Misclassification

January 18, 2024

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On January 9th, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a final rule for worker misclassification prevention. In summary, the rule will help employers and workers better understand employee classifications. This includes when a worker qualifies as an employee or an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Previously, in July 2023, the DOL’s Wage and Hour Divi...

DOL Releases Annual Civil Monetary Penalty Adjustments, Effective 1/15/2024

January 16, 2024

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On January 11th, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) made civil monetary penalty adjustments for 2024. In brief, these penalties are assessed annually and enforced by the DOL. Altogether, the adjustments are pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Inflation Adjustment Act). The final rule was effective January 15th, 2024. Earlier, the DOL ...

New Year Brings New Labor Law Obligations to Employers in 2024

January 9, 2024

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Historically, new laws and minimum wages take effect every January, bringing new labor law obligations for employers. Even if the federal government fails to pass new or amend existing laws, state legislatures pass their own. In summary, this creates a patchwork of state and local laws that can impact two locations of a company differently. During 2023, the government passed laws ranging from w...

NLRB Issues New Standard to Assess the Lawfulness of Work Rules

December 19, 2023

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Recently, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) adopted a new standard for evaluating the legality of employer work rules. Specifically, the standard addresses any work rules claimed to be facially unlawful under Section 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The NLRB’s decision overruled the earlier Boeing Co. (2017), which the Board later refined in LA Specialty Produce Co. (...

OSHA Releases Guidance on Winter Weather Safety

December 12, 2023

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As December and winter begin, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated its online resources on winter weather safety. Markedly, OSHA’s Winter Weather webpages highlight the importance of safeguarding against cold stress. Correspondingly, preventing cold stress is as important as keeping employees safe from heat stress during warmer months. Overall, cold exposure can lead...

Department of Labor Adjusts Child Labor Penalties

December 5, 2023

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On November 28th, 2023, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a Field Assistance Bulletin (FAB) updating child labor penalties. According to the federal agency, in recent years, there has been a significant rise in child labor violations. Subsequently, the DOL’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) implemented new procedures for assessing Child Labor Civil Money Penalties (CL CMP). Specifically, th...

November 28, 2023

41 view(s)

NLRB Finalizes 2023 Joint Employer Rule

RECENT UPDATES: For updates on the status of this rule, click here. On October 26th, 2023, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB or the Board) released its joint employer final rule. The final rule rescinds the previous 2020 final rule. According to the NLRB, the previous rule set a higher threshold and included joint employment descriptions contrary to the statute and Congressional inten...

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

Latest EEOC Enforcement Data Shows Increased Pre-Litigation Activity

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) recently released its FY 2025 performance and enforcement results. In a news release dated April 6th, 2026, the agency reported increased monetary recoveries for victims of employment discrimination and increased enforcement activity overall....

EEOC Pens Letter to Companies Regarding Title VII Compliance and DEI Initiatives

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...

NLRB Officially Reinstates Previous 2020 Joint Employer Standard

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.

OSHA Releases New Job Safety and Health Workplace Poster

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...

Agency Releases Newly Proposed Independent Contractor Status Rule; Seeks Employer Comments

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...

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Articles by Editorial Staff