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WIRTW #795: the ‘girls club’ edition

By Jonathan Hyman on April 17, 2026
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Trump’s EEOC is expanding its crackdown on DEI by targeting women-only workplace networking and similar programs as potential illegal “reverse discrimination.”

Here’s what I told USA Today about this issue:

Women banding together to “build the relationships and visibility that have historically been handed to men is not the moral equivalent of the conduct that gave rise to the Civil Rights Act,” said Jon Hyman, who chairs the employment and labor practice at the Wickens Herzer Panza law firm.

“When the agency charged with protecting workers from discrimination starts treating informal women’s networking as its enforcement priority, it sends a message − not just a legal one, but a cultural one. And that message isn’t ‘we’re enforcing the law equally.’ It’s ‘we’re using the law as a weapon against the very communities it was designed to protect.'”

You can read the rest of the article here, including thoughts from Chai Feldblum, David Glasgow, Brian Uzzi, and Reshma Saujani.

Thanks to Jessica Guynn for including me in her story.


Here’s what I read this week that you should read, too.
Why Do Employers Demand Notice When They Fire At-Will? — via Improve Your HR by Suzanne Lucas, the Evil HR Lady

Why AI readiness training fails — via HR Dive

When Creating an AI Strategy, Don’t Overlook Employee Perception — via Harvard Business Review

When the Algorithm Is Your Boss: Remote Workplace Surveillance and Its Potential Violation of Labor Law — via The L•E•Jer

Lifestyle blogger said to have inspired Devil Wears Prada character uses unpaid student interns — via The Guardian

New Decision Reaffirms Roadmap for Employers on the Interactive Process — via Dan Schwartz’s Connecticut Employment Law Blog
“Take it or leave it” is not a religious accommodation strategy — via Eric Meyer’s Employer Handbook Blog
Trump’s NLRB Doesn’t Want to Investigate Worker Complaints — via The American Prospect
Sens. Warren and Blumenthal investigate NLRB decision to drop charges against SpaceX for retaliatory firings — via CNBC

4th Circuit Rules Agreements Can’t Shorten Time to File Antidiscrimination Claims — via EntertainHR

Signature Required for Arbitration Agreements — via San Antonio Employment Law Blog

Is it wrong to hire a replacement before an employee is fired? — via Ask a Manager

Ohio Craft Beer’s Case for Optimism — via Ohio Craft Brewers Association
A Year of Correction for Craft Beer, With Early Signals of Recovery — via Brewers Association

BA Economist: 2026 Could Be a ‘Buying the Dip’ Moment for New Brewers — via Brewbound

     

Related Stories

  • WIRTW #794: the ‘philanthropy’ edition
  • WIRTW #793: the ‘Waterloo Sunset’ edition
  • WIRTW #792: the ‘CBC’ edition

 

Tags: AI
Photo of Jonathan Hyman Jonathan Hyman
Jon Hyman is a trusted advisor to small and mid-sized businesses across various industries, helping them solve workforce challenges and defend against legal disputes.
He is a shareholder at Wickens Herzer Panza in Avon, Ohio, where he chairs the firm’s Employment and Labor
…
Jon Hyman is a trusted advisor to small and mid-sized businesses across various industries, helping them solve workforce challenges and defend against legal disputes.
He is a shareholder at Wickens Herzer Panza in Avon, Ohio, where he chairs the firm’s Employment and Labor practice group and its Craft Beer practice group, and serves on the firm’s Board of Directors. Jon works closely with clients on all aspects of labor and employment law, providing proactive solutions to prevent issues and a strong defense in litigation when conflicts arise.
As outside in-house counsel, Jon is the go-to advisor businesses call when they need help with employee terminations, drafting policies, handling leave or accommodations, or navigating tricky internal complaints. He also brings deep expertise in areas like wage and hour compliance, workplace technology issues, and union avoidance. Jon builds lasting partnerships with his clients, understanding their unique challenges and helping them achieve long-term compliance and success
When it comes to litigation, Jon stands up for businesses in disputes over discrimination, harassment, wrongful discharge, non-competes, trade secrets, wage and hour issues, and union matters. Jon works with his clients to craft targeted defense strategies that protect their interests and aim for resolutions that support their broader business goals.
Jon also leads the firm’s Craft Beer practice, where he helps breweries, brewpubs, taprooms, and other craft beer businesses tackle their unique legal and regulatory needs.
Jon writes the award-winning Ohio Employer Law Blog, which the ABA Blawg Hall of Fame recognized for its daily insights on labor and employment law. His updates help his clients, HR professionals, and other business leaders stay ahead of labor and employment law changes that impact their daily operations.
Read more about Jonathan HymanEmailJonathan's Linkedin Profile
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  • Posted in:
    Employment & Labor
  • Blog:
    Ohio Employer Law Blog
  • Organization:
    Wickens Herzer Panza
  • Article: View Original Source

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