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DOL enforcement continues to move in progressive direction

The United States Department of Labor (DOL) recently issued an agency rule that rescinds the approach adopted under the prior Federal administration. The previous Federal administration’s practice permitted Federal contractors to use religious fait… Read More

Despite repeated examples of deadly police misconduct, the Supreme Court strengthens defense for police in misconduct cases

The United States Supreme Court adopted the defense of qualified immunity many years ago to prevent public employees from being sued successfully for what they do (or do not do) in the line of duty. This defense turns on the idea that public servants… Read More

DOL moves employment law in right direction

On July 30, 2021, the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) rescinded a rule adopted under the prior Federal administration that limited when more than one company is responsible for wage theft, employee misclassification, or other violations… Read More

EEOC steps up to address the pandemic’s impact

The United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) recently issued public guidance regarding the use of incentives to encourage employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19. This technical assistance from the EEOC outlines how empl… Read More

As the pandemic continues, so do the work-related disparities

A recent Gallup survey examined how the ongoing pandemic has affected work opportunities in the past year. Like other aspects of life, the pandemic has increased and aggravated existing inequalities when it comes to employment-related matters. For ex… Read More

State attorneys general step up and expand enforcement efforts

In multiple ways since January 2017, as has been discussed here previously, the politically appointed leadership at the United States Department of Labor, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board,… Read More

Minnesota Supreme Court expands civil rights protections in 2 additional rulings

In Fletcher Properties, Inc. v. City of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that an anti-discrimination ordinance adopted by Minneapolis does not violate either the equal protection or due process provisions of the Minnesota Constitution.… Read More

United States and Minnesota Supreme Courts issue landmark decisions favoring employees and promoting the public interest

In Bostock v. Clayton County, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the main Federal civil rights statute governing the workplace, Title VII, makes it illegal to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. The United States Supr… Read More

Trump administration continues to eliminate work protections – but advocates for workplace fairness fight back

The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) once again and recently changed its standard to favor employers over employees. Specifically, the NLRB adopted a new rule to make it more difficult to prove that affiliated companies share culpability f… Read More

2019 was a good year for large corporations, but not so much for employees

The year began with the impact of the Trump Administration’s tax “reform” becoming clear. This legislation has amounted to one of the largest redistributions of wealth in the country’s history, giving a windfall to large corporations and extr… Read More