Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.

Ogletree Deakins is a leading national law firm specializing in labor and employment. The firm blogs on workplace regulations and labor law updates.

Latest from Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C. - Page 9

Ogletree Deakins Insights

In an AI World, Is It Time to Impose Word Limits on Employee Complaints?

By Roger James

August 27, 2026

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Quick Hits

AI-generated employee complaints can be lengthy and persuasive but may obscure the key facts and issues.
Employers could consider word limits for internal complaints while allowing exceptions and supporting evidence.
Focusing on main issues, allowing reasonable response times,

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Ogletree Deakins Insights

Missouri Enacts Law Expanding Job Protections for National Guard Members

By Sarah Smith Kuehnel

August 26, 2026

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Quick Hits

On July 9, 2026, Governor Mike Kehoe signed a law extending legal protections under USERRA to Missouri National Guard members and Missouri employees of other states’ National Guards.
The law extends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) to

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Ogletree Deakins Insights

Florida Court Reinforces Employer’s Ability to Enforce Marijuana Policies in Public Union Contract

By Dee Anna D. Hays, Karen M. Morinelli, Publisher & John C. Getty

August 26, 2026

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Quick Hits

In Hillsborough County v. Giambrone, a Florida appellate court overturned a lower court’s unprecedented ruling that required a county to accommodate a firefighter-paramedic’s off-duty medical marijuana use after a positive random drug test.
The court emphasized that the

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Ogletree Deakins Insights

DHS Proposes New $103,265 Fee for Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions

By Andrew G. Drozdowski

August 26, 2026

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Quick Hits

DHS is proposing a $103,265 fee for every new fiscal year (FY) 2028 H-1B cap-subject petition on top of all existing fees.
The fee would apply to all cap-subject employers, regardless of size.
The fee would not apply

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Ogletree Deakins Insights

EU Pay Transparency Directive Update: Legislative Progress in Spain and Portugal

By Daniella McGuigan

August 25, 2026

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Quick Hits

Spain published its draft Royal Decree on 4 August 2026, and Portugal published its draft proposal on 5 August 2026.
Consultation for both drafts closed recently—24 August for Spain and 25 August for Portugal.
Further legislation is expected

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Ogletree Deakins Insights

Cal. Appellate Court Rejects Implied Cap on ‘Usual’ Emotional Damages

By Ryan C. Finn & Zachary V. Zagger

August 25, 2026

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Quick Hits

A California appellate court reinstated a $13.1 million jury verdict in a gender discrimination case, rejecting trial court limits on noneconomic damages.
The court found the trial court had erroneously found a cap on damages for noneconomic damages,

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Ogletree Deakins Insights

Federal Court Vacates DEI Conditions, Compliance Certification Connected to HHS, HUD Grants

By Nonnie L. Shivers, Cameron W. Ellis, Publisher & Zachary V. Zagger

August 25, 2026

Quick Hits

A federal court in Rhode Island vacated grant conditions imposed on nonprofit organizations serving unhoused individuals and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault that required certification of compliance with executive orders targeting DEI and gender ideology.
The

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Ogletree Deakins Insights

Beltway Buzz, August 21, 2026

By James J. Plunkett

August 21, 2026

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Third Republican Officially Joins NLRB. On August 17, 2026, James R. Macy was sworn in as a member of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) for a term that will conclude on August 27, 2030. Macy, a Republican, and David

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Ogletree Deakins Insights

SEC Launches New Enforcement Unit for Accounting Fraud

By Jane A. Norberg

August 21, 2026

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Quick Hits

The SEC is forming a new enforcement unit to combat fraud in accounting and financial reporting.
The new unit signals the agency’s intent to heighten regulatory scrutiny of accounting, financial reporting, and auditing practices.
Whistleblower information may play

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Ogletree Deakins Insights

Ontario Court of Appeal Ruling Clarifies Frustration Defence and Work Tool Damages

By Christina Kaszap

August 21, 2026

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Quick Hits

In Hill v. 1359768 Ontario Inc. (B&B Towing) (2026 ONCA 577), the Ontario Court of Appeal unanimously held that a trial judge did not err in finding that an employment contract was not frustrated where an employee’s physical

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