Articles by Editorial Staff

OSHA Publishes OSH Act Anti-Retaliation Final Rule

September 8, 2021

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On September 3rd, 2021, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) published a revised anti-retaliation final rule. Accordingly, the final interpretive rule changes previous anti-retaliation provisions within the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act). Previously, OSHA released updated safety guidelines to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and its Delta variant in the wo...

CDC Issues Updated Mask and Vaccination Guidance

September 7, 2021

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On September 1st, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated previously released mask and vaccination guidance. Chiefly, the guidance addresses both fully vaccinated and nonvaccinated individuals and measures to keep everyone safe from illness. Previously, the CDC released guidance on what fully vaccinated individuals can do in public. Definition of “Fully Vaccinated” ...

Federal Agency Extends Form I-9 Physical Inspections Exemption

September 7, 2021

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The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) recently announced an additional extension to the Form I-9 physical inspections exemption for businesses hiring remote workers. The August 31 announcement is similar to extensions granted throughout 2020 involving Form I-9 compliance flexibilities during the pandemic. However, due to continued COVID-19 precautions, the Department of Homeland Securit...

Labor Department Issues New Notice for Expiring COBRA Premium Assistance

August 31, 2021

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The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued a new notice to address upcoming expiring COBRA premium assistance for covered employees. Markedly, the Notice of Expiration of Period of Premium Assistance satisfies specific requirements under the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP). Previously, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued updated COBRA coverage guidance relating to tax breaks. Accordingly, th...

COVID-19 Vaccine Required for Green Card Applicants

August 31, 2021

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On August 24th, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced new rules affecting new green card applicants. Markedly, effective October 1, the CDC will require the COVID-19 vaccine for applicants to obtain permanent residence and refugee status. Previously, due to the COVID-19 Delta variant outbreak, the CDC updated vaccination and mask guidance. Background of Current V...

Judge Rules California Gig Worker Law Unconstitutional

August 30, 2021

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On August 20th, 2021, a California Superior Court judge ruled that Prop 22, the California gig worker law is unconstitutional. Particularly, the 2020 ballot measure exempted ride-share and food delivery drivers from California state labor law, making them independent contractors. Earlier this year, the Department of Labor withdrew a pending federal independent contractor rule before it took eff...

Fully Approved Vaccines Could Lead to More Workplace Vaccine Mandates

August 24, 2021

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The recent announcement of the FDA fully approving Pfizer vaccines may have implications involving workplace vaccine mandates. For example, according to a Fisher Phillips survey, 10% of employers said they were hesitant to impose vaccine mandates. However, this hesitancy would cease after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) fully approved a vaccine. Presently, now that the FDA has approved o...

Biden Administration Announces New Actions in Fighting COVID-19

August 23, 2021

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On August 18th, 2021, the White House released a new fact sheet announcing further actions in fighting COVID-19. Drafted by President Joseph Biden’s administration, the resource states that the highly transmittable COVID-19 Delta variant has taken hold. Because of the recent rise in COVID cases, the administration has created new actions to try and get ahead of the virus. Previously, in April, ...

EEO-1 Data Collection Deadline Extension Announced

August 23, 2021

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After delaying the EEO-1 data collection deadline in June, the EEOC has announced another data collection deadline extension. Previously, the deadline for submitting both the 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 Component 1 data was August 23rd, 2021. However, on August 23, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) moved the deadline to October 25th, 2021. Previous Updates to EEO-1 Data Collection On...

OSHA Issues Updated COVID-19 Safety Guidance

OSHA Updates Workplace COVID-19 Safety Guidance

August 17, 2021

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On August 13th, 2021, the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released updated COVID-19 safety guidance. Issued earlier in January, the safety guidance helped employers implement a coronavirus prevention program and identify workplace exposure risks. Subsequently, on June 10th, 2021, OSHA updated the guidance to focus mainly on unvaccinated workers...

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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