Author: James W. Ward
Federal Court Vacates EEOC’s Abortion Accommodation Requirement
On May 21, 2025, a federal court in Louisiana vacated a portion of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) regulations,…
2024 EEO-1 Data Collection Now Open, Closes June 24
On May 20, 2025, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the opening of the 2024 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection. Employers have until…
U.S. DOL Reconsiders Independent Contractor, Overtime Rules
On May 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a field assistance bulletin stating it intends not to enforce its 2024 independent contractor…
Executive Order Seeks to Eliminate Disparate Impact Discrimination Liability
Through executive actions, President Trump has issued orders addressing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, federal contractor minimum wage and affirmative action obligations, among many others….
Prospective Meal Period Waivers Are Valid
In a recent case, a California Court of Appeal handed employers a rare win, finding nonexempt employees’ written prospective meal waivers — meaning employees signed…
Employers Don’t Have to Provide Indefinite Leave of Absence as Accommodation, Court Reaffirms
Managing leaves of absence — like those related to the California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and pregnancy disability leave…
EEOC Issues DEI Guidance
On March 19, 2025, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued two technical assistance documents intended to educate the public about unlawful discrimination related to…
Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Order Rescinded
On March 14, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that revoked several previous executive orders issued by former President Joe Biden, including Executive…
Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Regulation Sunsetting
As of today, February 3, 2025, California employers mostly no longer have any COVID-19 prevention regulatory requirements, with the exception of reporting and recording requirements…
Executive Order Requiring Affirmative Action by Federal Contractors Revoked
Through several significant executive actions, President Donald Trump has begun reshaping the federal administration’s priorities and objectives for the next four years. Among them, he…









