The disparate impact theory of discrimination—under which a facially neutral policy or practice may be challenged based on its effects rather than direct evidence of discriminatory intent—is facing renewed federal scrutiny under the Trump Administration. Three recent actions from the
Consistent with its recently announced National Enforcement Plan to ferret out what the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) regards as unlawful DEI activities, on May 5, 2026, the agency filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against The New York Times
Maryland employers and those with employees in Maryland should begin preparing now for the state’s new paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. With employer and employee contributions beginning in January 2027 and benefits becoming available in 2028, understanding
On April 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) that would revise the agency’s analysis for assessing joint employer status under three federal wage and hour laws. The proposed
In a 6-3 ruling, the Supreme Court confirmed that independent agency officials who exercise executive power serve at the President’s pleasure and may be removed without cause. In doing so, the Supreme Court overruled a 91-year-old case restricting the
On April 15, 2026, the Federal Trade Commission announced an enforcement action against one of the nation’s largest pest-control companies, Rollins, Inc., ordering the company to stop enforcing noncompete agreements against more than 18,000 workers nationwide. The FTC simultaneously sent
Employers hiring employees in Colorado beware! You may inadvertently commit a hate crime without even knowing it.
The Colorado legislature ended the 2026 regular session by passing a law that makes it a hate crime for an employer, or that
This year’s 14th Annual HR Legal Summit, co-hosted with Ballard Spahr’s Labor & Employment Group, will feature keynote speaker, Christina Butler.
Christina is a former Emmy-nominated television news anchor and reporter with two decades of experience connecting with audiences during
Maryland employers can now register early for the State’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (“FAMLI”) program as part of the Maryland Department of Labor’s employer registration “soft launch.”
The soft launch gives employers an opportunity to create their FAMLI accounts,
As online shopping and rapid delivery services continue to reshape the economy, employers increasingly rely on individuals who transport goods for their “last mile,” from warehouses and distribution centers to retail locations and consumers. A recent Supreme Court decision may
