Belgium: (Tele-)work Performed Simultaneously Within the European Economic Area – What Changes with the Moguntia Ruling?
The Court of Justice of the EU’s Moguntia ruling clarifies that all professional activities, even those performed outside the EU, must be considered when determining the applicable social‑security legislation for employees working across Member States. The decision directly challenges the Belgian National Social Security Office’s current interpretation of the 2023 European Framework Agreement on Telework. Belgian employers will need to reassess remote‑work arrangements to ensure contributions are paid to the correct jurisdiction. The ruling broadens the scope of cross‑border telework regulation throughout the EEA.
Policy Week in Review – March 27, 2026
The Senate approved a partial funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security that excludes ICE and CBP, but the House rejected it, extending the agency's shutdown. President Trump signed an executive order guaranteeing TSA workers’ pay and another banning...
Court Declares “Interested Party” Provisions of the Illinois Day and Temporary Labor Services Act Unconstitutional
An Illinois Circuit Court ruled that Section 67 of the Day and Temporary Labor Services Act is unconstitutional, stripping unions and other "interested parties" of the right to file private civil actions. The court classified the provision as an improper qui...
DOL Proposed Rule Seeks Higher Prevailing Wages Levels for Foreign Workers
The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a rule that would raise prevailing wage levels for employment‑based immigration programs, including H‑1B, H‑1B1, E‑3, and PERM EB‑2/EB‑3 visas. Entry‑level wages would shift from the 17th to the 34th percentile, while the...
UK: Consultation Launched on Protection From Detriments for Taking Industrial Action
The UK Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces new protections that forbid employers from imposing detriments on workers whose sole or main purpose is to prevent, deter or penalise participation in protected industrial action. The government has opened a consultation until...
New Duty for UK Employers – Annual Leave Record-Keeping From April 6, 2026
From 6 April 2026, UK employers must keep adequate records of workers’ annual leave and holiday pay under the Employment Rights Act 2025. The obligation covers all leave types, including irregular hours and carried‑over entitlement, and records must be retained for six years....
First Circuit Rejects Per Se Rule that Performance Improvement Plans Automatically Qualify as Adverse Employment Actions
The First Circuit ruled that placing an employee on a performance improvement plan (PIP) does not automatically constitute an adverse employment action under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act or Title VII. The court emphasized that a fact‑intensive inquiry is required,...
New York City Proposes Bill That Sets Higher Minimum Wages and Eliminates Tip Credits
The New York City Council introduced Bill Int. No. 757, proposing a city‑wide minimum wage that outpaces the state level and climbs to $30 per hour for large employers by 2030, with smaller firms reaching $27‑$29 per hour. The plan phases in automatic cost‑of‑living adjustments...
UK Employment Rights Act 2025 Unfair Dismissal Deep Dive Part 1: Polkey in a World Without Caps
The UK Employment Rights Act 2025 eliminates the statutory cap on compensatory awards for unfair dismissal, raising the previous limit of £118,223 (about $150,000) to an uncapped figure that will rise to roughly $157,000 after April 2026. The basic award...
Crispin Odey Denies Being Unable to “Control Himself” Around Female Staff
Crispin Odey publicly denied claims that he cannot control himself around female staff, rejecting allegations of inappropriate conduct. The denial comes amid a broader trend of rising non‑financial misconduct reports filed with the UK Financial Conduct Authority over the past...
7 Employer Tips For Handling Calif. Privacy Risk Assessments
California employers must now meet the California Consumer Privacy Act’s (CCPA) risk assessment mandate, which requires a systematic review of personal data practices. Law360 outlines seven practical steps, including data mapping, privacy impact analyses, vendor oversight, employee training, documentation, continuous...
AI Legal Risks Abound Despite Trump’s Push for Federal Policy
Companies deploying AI-driven human resources tools face mounting legal exposure despite the Trump administration’s push for a federal AI regulatory framework. Even if Congress preempts state AI statutes, firms remain vulnerable to discrimination lawsuits under existing civil rights laws when...
Managing Injury and Lineup Information as Employers in the New Age of Legal Sports Betting
The expansion of legal sports betting across U.S. states is turning player injury and lineup data into high‑value, nonpublic information. Teams and universities now face heightened legal and compliance scrutiny when handling that data, as regulators view leaks as potential...
Why US Legal Teams Need to Assess Non-Solicitations Now
Scott McDonald explains that the enforceability of U.S. non‑solicitation agreements hinges on the employer’s goodwill investment in cultivating customer relationships and the confidential information surrounding those ties. Recent court decisions have sharpened scrutiny of vague or overly broad clauses, prompting...
Trump Administration Policies on Immigration Have Impacted 65% of Businesses
A recent HR Brew analysis finds that 65% of U.S. businesses say Trump‑era immigration rules have disrupted operations. Since January 2025 the administration tightened H‑1B caps, expanded public‑charge criteria and intensified I‑9 verification, forcing employers to overhaul hiring processes. Companies...
When Is a Compliance Officer Also a Whistleblower?
Compliance officers are increasingly stepping into whistleblower roles, filing legal actions against their own firms for alleged misconduct. This shift reflects heightened regulatory scrutiny and expanded statutory protections for internal reporters. Employers must navigate the delicate balance between enforcing compliance...
Liability Under Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave
Massachusetts courts have clarified that the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) law imposes liability only on employer entities, not on individual officers or directors. A Superior Court ruling dismissed claims against individuals, while the Supreme Judicial Court affirmed that...
Littler Lounge: OSHA Explained – Prevention, Preparedness and Protection
The Littler Lounge podcast episode breaks down OSHA’s role, detailing what employers can expect during inspections and why written safety policies matter. Hosts Claire Deason and Nicole LeFave, joined by OSHA practice leader Alka Ramchandani‑Raj, explore emerging issues such as...
Colorado’s Artificial Intelligence Law Could Be on the Chopping Block
Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed the state’s AI law (SB 24‑205) in 2025, but warned that its complex compliance regime could stifle innovation. The governor’s AI Policy Working Group has drafted a bill to roll back many employer obligations while preserving...
Policy Week in Review – March 20, 2026
On March 20 the White House unveiled a national AI policy framework built on seven pillars that address child safety, community benefits, creator rights, free speech, innovation, workforce development, and preemption of state laws. Simultaneously, Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the...
Ones To Watch: Legislation Landscape for 2026
Littler’s 2026 legislative outlook highlights a surge of state‑level bills affecting employment law, from expanded E‑Verify mandates and new tip‑and‑overtime tax deductions to stricter job‑posting transparency. Lawmakers are also advancing portable benefit accounts for gig workers, curbing TRAP and stay‑or‑pay...
Washington Updates Paid Family and Medical Leave Premium Split to Align with Federal Tax Guidance
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 2345, revising the allocation of Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) premiums without altering the total amount. Employers can now fully deduct the employee‑share of the medical‑leave premium, while deductions for the family‑leave premium...
Balancing Title IX Compliance with CBA Enforcement
New Jersey’s Supreme Court in Rutgers v. AFSCME Local 888 held that collective‑bargaining grievance procedures cannot override Title IX obligations. The ruling forces higher‑education employers to align CBAs with federal gender‑equity mandates, rejecting any contract language that conflicts with Title IX. Littler’s...
Third Circuit Ames to Level Playing Field for Reverse Discrimination Claimants Under New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination
On March 6, 2026, the Third Circuit in Massey v. Borough of Bergenfield held that New Jersey’s “background circumstances” rule— which required majority‑group plaintiffs to prove employer intent— is incompatible with the NJ Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD). Citing the U.S....
Littler’s Stephan Swinkels Talks US Policy Impact on European Employers
Stephan Swinkels of Littler uses the firm’s European Employer Survey to highlight how recent U.S. policy volatility has shifted from a political footnote to a strategic employment risk for European companies. He explains that unpredictable tax, trade and labor regulations...
Specialists Warn Against Excessive Use of Overtime with the Reduction of Working Hours
Specialists caution Mexican firms that relying on overtime to offset the shift toward a 40‑hour workweek could backfire. They argue that permanent overtime inflates labor costs and exposes companies to legal liabilities under Mexico's labor code. The warning follows recent...
Trump DEI Stance Being Felt By Employers, Survey Finds
The 2026 WPI Survey Report reveals that 71% of employers say their businesses felt the effects of President Trump’s IE&D policy shifts during the first year of his second term. The administration’s rollback of diversity, equity and inclusion mandates forced...
Deregulation Can Solve Labor Market Woes
Alexander MacDonald argues that deregulating the labor sector could alleviate persistent workforce shortages and rigid hiring practices. He cites excessive compliance costs and inflexible rules as primary obstacles to matching workers with jobs. The piece suggests targeted rollbacks—such as simplifying...
The New AI Regulatory Landscape: Proposed Legislation, Compliance Risks and Employer Readiness
Littler Mendelson is hosting a one‑hour webinar on April 14, 2026, to dissect emerging AI legislation targeting employers. The session will cover federal and state proposals, including rules for automated decision‑making, surveillance‑based wage setting, and chatbot transparency, with a focus...
Policy Week in Review – March 13, 2026
The Workplace Policy Institute highlighted a surge of industry petitions to the NLRB, seeking new rules to protect secret‑ballot elections, reevaluate captive‑audience meetings, and restore a common‑law test for independent‑contractor classification. The Board also declined to overturn the 1970 Ex‑Cell‑O...
2026 Round Up for New York Employers
On April 16, 2026, Littler hosted a two‑hour Breakfast Briefing for New York employers at the Hilton Long Island. The session addressed a wave of state‑mandated changes covering pre‑hire credit checks, mandatory Narcan stocking, updated minimum‑wage and overtime rates, new...
New York Department of Health Issues Updated Guidance on Wage Parity Compliance Forms and Certification Submission Dates
On March 9, 2026 the New York Department of Health released updated guidance clarifying wage‑parity compliance deadlines for home‑care providers through 2025 and beyond. The guidance fixes previous uncertainty by setting firm LS300 reporting dates for 2025 (May 31, 2026) and establishing annual LS301 audit...
Littler Lightbulb – February 2026 Employment Appellate Roundup
The February 2026 appellate roundup highlights several pivotal employment‑law decisions. The Fifth Circuit affirmed that overtime liability hinges on an employer’s actual or constructive knowledge of hours worked, rejecting a contractor’s claim of unlimited‑hour entitlement. The Sixth Circuit required age‑discrimination...
Littler Lounge: Unpacking the EU Pay Transparency Directive
Littler’s latest Lounge episode examines the EU Pay Transparency Directive as it takes shape across member states. The discussion outlines new recruiting disclosures, employee pay‑information rights, and varying reporting thresholds that firms must navigate. Hosts emphasize the need for precise...
NLRB Declines to Overrule Ex‑Cell‑O: What Employers Should Know
On February 26, 2026, the National Labor Relations Board denied a request to overturn the 1970 Ex‑Cell‑O decision, preserving the longstanding rule that limits remedies when an employer refuses to bargain during a test‑of‑certification. The Board, led by two Trump...
Don’t Be Fooled: What Employers Need to Know About False Claims Act Enforcement
On April 1, 2026, Littler hosted a one‑hour webinar titled “Don’t Be Fooled: What Employers Need to Know About False Claims Act Enforcement.” The session examined how recent FCA enforcement and settlement trends are expanding scrutiny of employers’ internal compliance programs and...
UK Government Launches Guidance on Pay Gap and Menopause Action Plans
The UK government released new guidance on March 4, 2026 requiring large employers (250+ staff) to publish gender pay gap action plans that also address menopause support. The requirement stems from the Employment Rights Act 2025 and will become mandatory after a voluntary...
California Risk Assessments: Seven Steps for Employers
Effective January 1, 2026, California’s CCPA will require employers with over $25 million in revenue to complete documented risk assessments before any covered data‑processing activity begins. The rule targets automated decision‑making, biometric and location tracking, and the use of sensitive personal information, demanding...
Nevada Supreme Court Unanimously Requires Prevailing-Wage Disputes to Be Resolved by the Nevada Labor Commissioner
On February 26, 2026 the Nevada Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Nevada’s prevailing‑wage statutes (NRS Chapter 338) provide no private right of action for employees to recover wages or overtime in court. The court held that disputes must be filed...
Navigating Florida’s CHOICE Act: Strategies for Strengthening Employer Noncompete Protections
Florida’s Contracts Honoring Opportunity, Investment, Confidentiality and Economic Growth (CHOICE) Act, effective July 1 2025, creates two new non‑compete agreement structures aimed at protecting employers from unfair competition by highly compensated staff. The legislation tightens enforcement mechanisms, allowing faster judicial remedies and...
Middle East Crisis: The 4 Most Important Employment Law Questions for HR in Germany
The Middle East escalation forces German employers to reassess travel, duty‑of‑care and compensation policies. Employees can lawfully refuse business trips to regions flagged as dangerous by the Federal Foreign Office. Companies must intensify monitoring of staff on overseas assignments and...
Virginia General Assembly Sends Bill Limiting Non-Competes to Governor’s Desk
The Virginia General Assembly approved Senate Bill No. 170, which restricts the enforceability of non‑compete agreements for employees laid off without severance or other monetary payment, unless terminated for cause. The bill requires employers to disclose any severance benefits at the...
Warehouse Quota Notice Laws: Connecticut Joins the Club
Connecticut enacted a warehouse quota notice law effective July 1 2026, joining California, New York, Minnesota, Washington and Oregon. The statute applies to non‑exempt employees in large warehouse distribution centers—those with at least 250 workers at a single site or 1,000 across the...
Labor Law Updates Every Healthcare Employer Needs to Know
Healthcare employers are facing heightened labor activity, especially in unionized hospitals across the Northeast and New York City, prompting concerns over staffing ratios, wages, and broader workforce strategy. Littler Law is hosting a webinar on April 16, 2026, to dissect...
What Builders Need to Know About E-Verify in 2026
Builders face a new compliance landscape as E-Verify becomes a prerequisite for most federal construction contracts in 2026. While the system can streamline hiring by confirming employee eligibility, it also exposes firms to government scrutiny of their workforce data. Errors...
NYC's Expanded Leave Law Goes Into Effect
Mayor Brad Lander’s administration has enacted an expansion of New York City’s Earned Safe and Sick Time Act, raising the mandatory paid leave entitlement to 80 hours per year. The rule, effective immediately, applies to private employers with five or...
Denmark’s Bill to Implement the EU Pay Transparency Directive Sent for Public Consultation
Denmark’s Ministry of Employment has issued a draft bill to transpose the EU Pay Transparency Directive, opening a public consultation until 27 March 2026. The law will take effect on 1 January 2027, a year after the EU deadline, giving larger firms a delayed...
AI Transcription and Note-Taking Technologies: Seven Points for Employers to Consider
AI note‑taking tools are rapidly entering workplaces, with a 2025 survey showing one in five professionals regularly using them to draft meeting notes. These systems can transcribe, attribute speaker comments, generate summaries, and even suggest action items, promising higher engagement...
Telework as a Reasonable Accommodation After the EEOC’s New Guidance: What Actually Changes for Employers?
The EEOC and OPM released new guidance on February 11 2026 clarifying when telework qualifies as a reasonable accommodation under the ADA and Rehabilitation Act. The agency stresses that remote work is required only if it effectively enables participation in hiring, performance...
New York Enacts Chapter Amendment to “Trapped at Work Act,” Clarifying Scope, Creating Targeted Exceptions, and Delaying Effective Date
Governor Hochul signed a chapter amendment to New York’s Trapped at Work Act, narrowing its coverage to employees and redefining repayment obligations. The amendment postpones the law’s operative provisions to December 19 2026, effectively delaying compliance for a year. It introduces targeted...