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OSHA Announces Final Rule Updating the Hazard Communication Standard

May 23, 2024

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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

May 21, 2024

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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

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

May 7, 2024

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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

May 2, 2024

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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

April 30, 2024

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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

April 26, 2024

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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

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

April 17, 2024

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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...

DOL Joins Other Agencies in Call for Fair and Equal Artificial Intelligence Usage

April 9, 2024

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On April 4, the Department of Labor (DOL) joined other federal departments and agencies by releasing artificial intelligence (AI) guidance. Specifically, the DOL’s release calls for “fairness, equality, justice[,] and compliance as automated systems [like AI] become more commonly used.” Generally, the DOL also emphasizes that existing laws apply to using automated systems as they currently do t...

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

EEOC Releases Updated 2026–2030 Strategic Plan

On August 26th, 2026, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) adopted its 2026–2030 Strategic Plan. The 2026–2030 Strategic Plan lays out specific, measurable strategic goals and objectives that will advance the agency’s mission through Fiscal Year 2030.

Federal Agencies Issue Guidance and Proposed Rules Regarding Employee Savings and Retirement Plans

Last week, the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) jointly released important information surrounding employee savings and retirement plans. Specifically, the two agencies both issued proposed regulations on one topic, while providing guidance on the...

New Guidance Addresses Expanded Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit

On August 5th, 2026, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Department of the Treasury (Treasury) issued guidance relating to paid family and medical leave. Specifically, the information was included in Notice 2026-28 and includes specific information on employer credits for paid family...

Internal Revenue Service Updates Qualified Overtime Deductions FAQs

On August 6th, 2026, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding overtime deductions. Fact Sheet 2026-13 updates frequently asked questions for qualified overtime compensation (commonly referred to as No Tax on Overtime) under the One Big Beautiful...

IRS Announces Retroactive Increase to the Business Standard Mileage Rate

Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Announcement 2026-11, a notice that retroactively increases its 2026 standard mileage rate for calculating mileage deductions. In brief, 2026-11 amends previous Notice 2026-10 and provides the optional rates for computing the deductible costs of...

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