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The Employer Handbook BlogTrump’s EEOC nomination could break the deadlock—and reshape enforcement
After months of legal gridlock, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is about to get its quorum back—and a Republican majority with it. Continue reading
When an ex sets an employee on fire at work, is the employer liable for not stopping it?
The facts of this case are gut-wrenching. A former employee bypasses security, sneaks into a workplace, and brutally attacks his ex—an employee sitting at her desk. The injuries were horrific. The question for the court wasn’t whether this was awful (it was), but whether the employer could be held liable under negligence law for failing to prevent it.
The answer? No. Here’s why. Continue reading
Hostile Work Environment Claims Don’t Need to Be Personal to Be Actionable
A Black lecturer in his 70s says a fellow professor in his department regularly made racially charged remarks—not necessarily directed at him, but about Black colleagues more broadly. A federal judge says that could be enough to support a hostile work environment claim under Title VII. Continue reading
Congress Revives LGBTQ+ Rights Bill: What Employers Should Know
This week, lawmakers in both the House and Senate reintroduced the Equality Act, a bill that would explicitly prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity across numerous areas of federal law.
Although the bill has strong Democratic support, it lacks bipartisan backing—and given the political composition of Congress and the current administration’s stance, it is unlikely to become law during this session. Still, its reintroduction offers employers a timely opportunity to review existing policies and ensure compliance with current law. Continue reading
New DOL Guidance Hits Pause and Rewind on Independent Contractor Crackdown
The Department of Labor just blinked. Again. In its latest move, the agency announced that it’s stepping back from its own 2024 independent contractor rule and reverting to older, more flexible standards. That’s not just a procedural shift—it’s a clear signal that the DOL may be moving away from stricter employee classification altogether. Continue reading
There’s a new BIPARTISAN Paid Leave Proposal in Congress. Here’s What Employers Need to Know About It.
A pair of lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle just dropped one of the most ambitious paid leave proposals in years. It won’t create a national mandate—but it could reshape the paid leave landscape for employers across the country. Continue reading
This ADA Case Is a Checklist of What Not to Do
A machine operator with osteoarthritis tried to return to work with restrictions. Instead, he got terminated. Now his ADA case is headed for trial. Continue reading
DEI Meets Discrimination? Why Clorox Couldn’t Wipe Away a Gender Bias Lawsuit
Diversity goals can strengthen a workplace — or, in some cases, spark a lawsuit. Just ask Clorox, now facing a revived gender discrimination claim despite its well-meaning initiatives. Continue reading
🎤 Upcoming Event: Star Treatment, Solid Contracts: Navigating the VIP Employment Landscape
Working with VIPs can feel like walking a legal tightrope. From influencers to high-profile executives, businesses often face big questions: Are they independent contractors or employees? What must go into their agreements? And how do you protect your intellectual property—and avoid legal headaches?
On May 9 at 12 PM ET, I’ll be teaming up with my colleague, Merlyne Jean-Louis, for a free Zoom session you won’t want to miss: Continue reading
ADA Claims Aren’t About Perfect Decisions — They’re About Proving Discrimination
When employees allege discrimination under the ADA, it’s their burden to prove bias — not the employer’s burden to defend every business decision. A recent Seventh Circuit case reinforces that when employers apply clear policies consistently, even imperfect decisions won’t amount to discrimination. Continue reading