--- title: "Employment Law Newsletters | Labor Law Newsletters" description: "" url: "https://wimlaw.com/publications/newsletters?start=649" date: "2026-06-29T21:24:11+00:00" language: "en-US" --- # Employment Law Newsletter: A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues Our Monthly Report on Labor Law Issues, also known as the Employment Law Bulletin, is a monthly newsletter that covers a wide range of labor law issues, including affirmative action plans, strikes, OSHA regulations, minimum wage requirements, and more. Other topics covered have included issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as workplace walk-outs and strikes, vaccinations, and employee rights related to positive test results and quarantine. The newsletter also covers issues related to discrimination, such as artificial intelligence and racial bias, and issues related to unions, such as organizing efforts and union successes at companies like Amazon and Starbucks. The newsletter also covers issues related to taxes, immigration, and court cases related to labor law. ***[Stay informed and avoid legal missteps, by subscribing to email updates here.](https://wimlaw.com/updates)*** ## [WHAT THE SUPREME COURT’S GAY MARRIAGE DECISION MEANS FOR EMPLOYERS](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=253:what-the-supreme-court-s-gay-marriage-decision-means-for-employers&catid=67) May 13, 2016 | [August 2015](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=67) On June 26, 2015, a narrow majority (5-4) of the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry. While some States already had recognized such marriages, the Supreme Court ruled that all States must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples on the same basis as opposite-sex couples and must recognize the marriages of same-s… [Learn More](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=253:what-the-supreme-court-s-gay-marriage-decision-means-for-employers&catid=67) ## [NEW LABOR DEPARTMENT GUIDANCE AS TO DETERMINATION OF WORKER OR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR CLASSIFICATION](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=251:new-labor-department-guidance-as-to-determination-of-worker-or-independent-contractor-classification&catid=68) May 13, 2016 | [September 2015](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=68) Without employment status, persons generally cannot organize a union, pursue employment litigation, or have employment taxes taken out of their paychecks. But unions, plaintiffs’ litigators, and of course the U.S. government, like employment status for tax, enforcement, and other reasons. On July 15 of this year, the U.S. Department of Labor (D… [Learn More](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=251:new-labor-department-guidance-as-to-determination-of-worker-or-independent-contractor-classification&catid=68) ## [SUPREME COURT ALLOWS EMPLOYER TO REDUCE RETIREE HEALTHCARE BENEFITS](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=250:supreme-court-allows-employer-to-reduce-retiree-healthcare-benefits&catid=68) May 13, 2016 | [September 2015](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=68) Many employers provide healthcare benefits not only for active employees, but also for retirees. While pension benefits are normally thought of as vested, by and large employers have a great degree of leeway to design health and welfare plans according to their own wishes. However, once the welfare plan is written, courts will enforce the terms… [Learn More](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=250:supreme-court-allows-employer-to-reduce-retiree-healthcare-benefits&catid=68) ## [FIRST TRANSGENDER, NEXT TRANSRACIAL?](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=249:first-transgender-next-transracial&catid=68) May 13, 2016 | [September 2015](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=68) In light of the government's effort to provide protected status to transgender persons, and to require employers to honor an individual's choice as to what sex they wish to identify with, one wonders about recent "transracial" issues that arose concerning former NAACP Spokane Chapter President Rachel Dolezal. Dolezal resigned on June 15 amid controver… [Learn More](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=249:first-transgender-next-transracial&catid=68) ## [EMPLOYER SURVIVES CHALLENGE THAT ITS SEVERANCE PLAN WAIVERS WERE INVALID, NOT MEETING REQUIREMENTS OF GROUP WAIVERS](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=245:employer-survives-challenge-that-its-severance-plan-waivers-were-invalid-not-meeting-requirements-of-group-waivers&catid=70) May 13, 2016 | [November 2015](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=70) The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) contains various protective provisions governing the binding nature of a settlement or waiver of a potential age discrimination claim. The ADEA is somewhat unique in setting forth additional requirements that are not necessary for a settlement or waiver to be binding in any other discrimination claims, s… [Learn More](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=245:employer-survives-challenge-that-its-severance-plan-waivers-were-invalid-not-meeting-requirements-of-group-waivers&catid=70) ## [EXECUTIVE ORDER ON MANDATORY SICK LEAVE FOR FEDERAL CONTRACTORS](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=244:executive-order-on-mandatory-sick-leave-for-federal-contractors&catid=70) May 13, 2016 | [November 2015](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=70) In celebration of Labor Day, President Obama on September 7, 2015 announced an Executive Order requiring federal contractors to provide minimum amounts of paid sick leave to their employees. This rule follows others, such as the $10.10 mandatory minimum wage, that make a broad statement but apply only to employers who do business with the federal gove… [Learn More](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=244:executive-order-on-mandatory-sick-leave-for-federal-contractors&catid=70) ## [STRATEGY REGARDING NLRB ATTACKS ON COMMON EMPLOYMENT POLICIES](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=243:strategy-regarding-nlrb-attacks-on-common-employment-policies&catid=70) May 13, 2016 | [November 2015](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=70) The blows seem to keep coming from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) attacking common employer personnel policies. The NLRB's philosophy is that any policy that could be read by an employee to prohibit legitimate union or other concerted activities is unlawful because it "chills" such union or other concerted activities. Further, the NLR… [Learn More](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=243:strategy-regarding-nlrb-attacks-on-common-employment-policies&catid=70) ## [OTHER CONCERNS ABOUT REFUSING TO HIRE OR DISCHARGING EMPLOYEES PRESENTING A NEW SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=242:other-concerns-about-refusing-to-hire-or-discharging-employees-presenting-a-new-social-security-number&catid=71) May 13, 2016 | [December 2015](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=71) In our March newsletter, we discussed a provision in the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Handbook for Employers, Guidance for Completing Form I-9, which deals with a situation where an employee informs the employer that his or her identity is different from that previously used to complete Form I-9. The Guidance states that: "In that circums… [Learn More](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=242:other-concerns-about-refusing-to-hire-or-discharging-employees-presenting-a-new-social-security-number&catid=71) ## [CONCEPT OF DISPARATE TREATMENT EXAMINED CONCERNING APPLICATION OF ATTENDANCE RULES AND OTHERS COMMITTING SIMILAR OFFENSE](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=241:concept-of-disparate-treatment-examined-concerning-application-of-attendance-rules-and-others-committing-similar-offense&catid=71) May 13, 2016 | [December 2015](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=71) A recent case illustrates important principles concerning whether an employer has equally applied its attendance policies, as well as its other work rules. Watkins v. EFP, LLC, 125 FEP Cases 1756 (N.D. Ala. 2014). The African-American plaintiff first contended that the employer treated him differently than a similarly-situated white employee whe… [Learn More](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=241:concept-of-disparate-treatment-examined-concerning-application-of-attendance-rules-and-others-committing-similar-offense&catid=71) ## [RIGHT TO REPRESENTATION WHEN EMPLOYEE ORDERED TO TAKE DRUG TEST](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=240:right-to-representation-when-employee-ordered-to-take-drug-test&catid=71) May 13, 2016 | [December 2015](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=71) A couple of recent cases from the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) create additional issues for employers when unionized employees refuse to take drug tests, and/or demand some type of representation prior to taking such tests. Some 40 years ago the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a case involving a unionized employer that, when an employee is questi… [Learn More](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=240:right-to-representation-when-employee-ordered-to-take-drug-test&catid=71) ## [ELECTION RESULTS SINCE QUICKIE ELECTION RULE WENT INTO EFFECT IN APRIL](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=239:election-results-since-quickie-election-rule-went-into-effect-in-april&catid=71) May 13, 2016 | [December 2015](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=71) Jim Wimberly attended a presentation by the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board, Richard Griffin, in San Diego, California, on November 11, 2015. Griffin presented up-to-date election statistics on petitions filed for elections with the NLRB for the first six months under the new quickie election rules, running from mid-April to mi… [Learn More](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=239:election-results-since-quickie-election-rule-went-into-effect-in-april&catid=71) ## Top 10 Content (All-Time) - [![person outdoors standing with a sign that says, I'm sticking with my union](https://wimlaw.com/media/yootheme/cache/c9/manny-becerra-GTPK-Wt1qoY-unsplash-c95084a4.jpg) Union Fines Employee $22,000.00 for Crossing Picket Lines ](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=310:union-fines-employee-crossing-picket-lines&catid=53) - [![chickens, roosters](https://wimlaw.com/media/yootheme/cache/2e/iq1f9gmtie0-2e8806a5.jpg) OSHA Regional Emphasis Program for Poultry Processing Facilities ](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=362:osha-regional-emphasis-program-for-poultry-processing-facilities&catid=52) - [![lightbulb sticky note on board](https://wimlaw.com/media/yootheme/cache/5c/absolutvision-82TpEld0_e4-unsplash-5c5067af.jpg) GOVERNMENT Position: Worker Presents New Social Security Number and States Previous Documents Were Not Real ](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=367:government-position-worker-presents-new-social-security-number-and-states-previous-documents-were-not-real&catid=52) - [![poultry farm](https://wimlaw.com/media/yootheme/cache/d3/thomas-iversen-4W8FgDVyUME-unsplash-d3ac22fc.jpg) OSHA ALERT: OSHA Regional Emphasis Program Targets Southeastern Poultry Processing Facilities ](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=370:osha-alert-osha-regional-emphasis-program-targets-southeastern-poultry-processing-facilities&catid=52) - [![AI post it note](https://wimlaw.com/media/yootheme/cache/52/hitesh-choudhary-t1PaIbMTJIM-unsplash-523fd46e.jpg) AI Is Another Relevant Area of Employment Law Issues ](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1310:ai-employment-law-issues&catid=53) - [![What Does It Take to Create a Hostile Work Environment? Apparently, a Single E-Mail Will Do.](https://wimlaw.com/media/yootheme/cache/25/030217_2112_whatdoesitt1-25ac7853.jpg) What Does It Take to Create a Hostile Work Environment? Apparently, a Single E-Mail Will Do ](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1030:hostile-work-environment-email&catid=205) - [![restaurant webinar promo 1](https://wimlaw.com/media/yootheme/cache/8b/WimLaw-Promo-Slide-july-restaurant-tips-01-8bde36e9.jpg) Tips on Tipping for Georgia Restaurateurs — Part 1: Mastering Wage & Hour Regulations ](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1325:restaurateurs-tipping-wages-hour-regulation&catid=221) - [![NLRB Explains What Employer Rules Are Unlawful and How to Make Them Lawful](https://wimlaw.com/media/yootheme/cache/23/rules-markus-spiske-pwpvgq-a5qi-unsplash-230cf9e2.jpg) NLRB Explains What Employer Rules Are Unlawful and How to Make Them Lawful ](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=368:nlrb-explains-what-employer-rules-are-unlawful-and-how-to-make-them-lawful&catid=52) - [![man with a leather briefcase](https://wimlaw.com/media/yootheme/cache/e6/marten-bjork-6dW3xyQvcYE-unsplash-e61a536b.jpg) DOL Proposes to Increase Salary Threshold for Overtime Exemption: Will It Raise Wages or Cut Hours? ](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=369:dol-proposes-to-increase-salary-threshold-for-overtime-exemption-will-it-raise-wages-or-cut-hours&catid=52) - [![supreme court bench](https://wimlaw.com/media/yootheme/cache/8c/richard-cohrs-DeRk8Mlnd78-unsplash-8c60b2e4.jpg) Supreme Court Addresses Wage-Hour Collective Actions and Statistical Proof in Tyson Case ](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=363:supreme-court-addresses-wage-hour-collective-actions-and-statistical-proof-in-tyson-case&catid=52) ## Schema ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://wimlaw.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Publications", "item": "https://wimlaw.com/publications" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Newsletters", "item": "https://wimlaw.com/publications/newsletters" } ] } ```