Author: James W. Ward

Federal Court Vacates EEOC’s Abortion Accommodation Requirement
3446
Posted in Pregnancy Disability Leave

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
4016
Posted in Reporting Requirements

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
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Posted in Independent Contractor Overtime

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
3472
Posted in Discrimination

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
6139
Posted in Meal and Rest Break

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,
12746
Posted in Disabilities Time Off

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
4191
Posted in Discrimination

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Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Order Rescinded
5129
Posted in Minimum Wage

Federal Contractor Minimum Wage Order Rescinded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
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Posted in COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Workplace Safety

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
4822
Posted in Discrimination Workplace Policies

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…