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Employment Law

EEOC lawsuit highlights how not to use a point-based absenteeism system

12/22/2025
A recently filed EEOC lawsuit against JCPenney highlights how employers must account for absences under an attendance point system. While such systems cut down on employees whose absence causes scheduling problems, managers and supervisors must be trained on how to handle call-offs that may be covered under the FMLA, ADA and PWFA.

Senate confirms NLRB nominees: What it means for labor law

12/22/2025
The newly constituted board will likely tackle priorities stymied over the past 11 months.

President Trump reclassifies marijuana

12/22/2025
President Trump signed an executive order changing how marijuana is handled under the federal Controlled Substances Act. The drug has been reclassified to Schedule III, from its previous classification as a Schedule I drug, along with heroin and other drugs with high addiction and abuse potential and little or no established medical uses.

EEOC files class action on behalf of recovering addicts

12/22/2025
In a new class-action lawsuit, the EEOC claims that a blanket rule against hiring applicants who take prescription medication to treat illegal drug addiction violates the ADA. While the ADA fails to protect current users of illegal drugs, it protects those in recovery.

EEOC expected to revise Pregnant Workers Fairness Act regulations

12/22/2025
If you’re struggling with administering reasonable accommodations under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, help may be on the way. It looks like the EEOC may soon be revising the first set of regulations the agency approved during the Biden administration.

Court confirms not every invitation is harassment

12/15/2025
Strict harassment rules are an employer’s prerogative, even if they go far beyond what Title VII requires. Fortunately, there’s a new legal decision that offers guidance on how far employers should go and what does not amount to sexual harassment.

Doing the right thing nets HR director big payday

12/15/2025
Federal laws like Title VII protect HR professionals from retaliation for bringing discrimination and harassment to light, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has a long history of vigorous enforcement of retaliation protections. A recent EEOC settlement makes that clear.

After the SHRM verdict, 5 lessons for employers

12/15/2025
A Colorado jury awarded $11.5 million to a former Society for Human Resource Management employee on race-discrimination and retaliation claims. Employers do not need to take a side to learn from what happened. The themes in this case surface in workplaces of every size.

Worried about possible pay inequity? Here’s what to do

12/08/2025
Employers who want to fix the problem may choose to look for inequity and then equalize pay. There is a right way and a wrong way to do this. Here are the crucial steps.

Another state passes CROWN natural hair discrimination law

12/08/2025
The CROWN Act movement has won another state supporter. Pennsylvania just became the 28th state to pass a version of the model legislation, which stands for Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair.