Employment Law Bulletin

A Monthly Report On Labor Law Issues

Volume XXXXIII, Issue 6

In This Issue: A recent legal newsletter highlights critical shifts in employer concerns, particularly around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and evolving immigration policies. New DOJ and EEOC guidance, alongside executive orders, signals increased scrutiny on DEI initiatives, urging employers to re-evaluate terminology, avoid "goals and timetables" for under-represented groups, ensure affinity programs are universally accessible, and carefully review training content to prevent claims of hostile environments. Further, the U.S. Department of Labor has ceased enforcing the Biden-era independent contractor rule, reverting to an older standard, and a recent executive order aims to largely eliminate federal enforcement of "disparate impact" discrimination claims, though private lawsuits may still proceed. Finally, OSHA is moving forward with a heat safety rule, and a new E-Verify+ tool is being introduced to streamline employment eligibility verification through a more electronic process, including remote document review options.