On September 5, 2025, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) confirmed that it is abandoning a Biden-era rule that, had it taken effect, would have barred the use of virtually all noncompete agreements across the country. While that long-expected announcement
Employment Law Watch
Analysis and commentary by Reed Smith attorneys on developments in employment and labor law
Employment Law Watch, published by Reed Smith LLP, focuses on developments and issues in employment law affecting employers and employees. The blog covers topics such as noncompete agreements and their regulatory scrutiny, state-specific employment law changes including leave and break time regulations, labor relations including National Labor Relations Board policies, workplace privacy concerns like secret recordings, and compliance with local ordinances such as paid prenatal leave requirements. It addresses both federal and state legal updates, enforcement trends, and practical implications for workforce management and employer policies.
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New employment laws coming into effect for Illinois employers
Governor J.B. Pritzker of Illinois has been busy this August, signing off on several pieces of legislation that will impact Illinois employers. While most of these developments will not become effective until January 1, 2026, it is always advisable for…
NLRB GC signals strong stance against secret recordings
Two recent memoranda from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Division of Advice and the General Counsel have clarified the agency’s position on surreptitious recordings, including those made by employees in the workplace and those occurring during collective bargaining sessions.…
New York City expands regulations on paid prenatal leave
On July 2, 2025, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DWCP) adopted new rules amending the city’s Earned Safe and Sick Time Act (ESSTA) to address the requirements of New York State’s Paid Prenatal Leave law,…
Virginia expands non-compete restrictions to cover all non-exempt employees
Effective July 1, 2025, the current Virginia statutory restriction on non-competition agreements for “low-wage employees” will expand to cover all non-exempt employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This amendment, enacted through SB 1218 and signed into law on…
New Jersey pay transparency: How employers can remain compliant
On June 1, 2025, New Jersey officially joined 13 other states participating in the wage transparency trend. Governor Phil Murphy signed the New Jersey Pay and Benefit Transparency Act (NJPBTA or the Act) this past November, requiring employers with 10…
Justices reject higher standard for majority-group plaintiffs asserting Title VII claims
BREAKING: New York amends labor law to stymie flood of frequency-of-pay lawsuits
Employment law, whether shaped by legislation or litigation, is often driven by trends. For instance, in the mid-to-late 2010’s, lawmakers across the U.S. enacted numerous bills concerning paid time off for employees, such as for sick and family leave. A…
California Civil Rights Council makes final revisions to regulations that address use of AI systems in employment-related decision-making
California is one step closer to becoming one of the first states to adopt anti-discrimination regulations regarding employer use of automated-decision technology to make employment-related decisions.
Since May 2024 the California Civil Rights Council (CRC), a branch of the Civil…
New York Federal Appeals Court shifts standard for assessing workplace accommodations
The workplace accommodation process associated with employee health conditions can be one of the trickiest HR issues for U.S. businesses to navigate. For employers in New York, Connecticut, and Vermont, a federal appeals court may have just added a further…