United States: Employment and HR

The Department of Labor has proposed two significant rule changes that could reshape how employers classify workers and determine joint employment relationships under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

As World Cup 2026 approaches, Belgium's Red Devils prepare to face Seattle's passionate football culture while employers in both jurisdictions navigate evolving workplace regulations.

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, applying California law, held that an employment practices liability insurer owed no duty to defend a qui tam action alleging prevailing-wage violations...

As Philadelphia prepares to host Ecuador's national team for World Cup 2026, this analysis explores how two distinct legal frameworks approach workplace anti-discrimination protections. From Pennsylvania's newly enacted CROWN Act protecting natural hairstyles to Ecuador's prohibition against aesthetic stereotypes, discover how different jurisdictions are expanding employee protections in ways that reflect their unique cultural values and evolving workplace standards.

On May 25, 2026, Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical, “Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.”

The 2026 changes to the Equal Pay Act double available damages and expand the scope of compensation at issue in such a claim, as detailed in our prior update.

The U.S. Department of Labor has released a proposed regulation that would establish a process-based safe harbor framework for fiduciaries evaluating alternative investments in retirement plans, including private equity, private credit, real estate, and hedge funds. The proposal outlines six key factors for fiduciaries to consider when selecting investment alternatives, aiming to reduce litigation risk while expanding access to alternative assets in 401(k) plans.

Benefits committees face critical governance decisions about AI transcription tools and legal counsel membership that carry real ERISA compliance consequences. Understanding the fiduciary exception, privilege limitations, and proper committee...

House Democrats have introduced legislation that would impose substantial financial penalties on health insurers with claim denial rates exceeding 25%, with fines scaling up to $10 million based on the severity of denials.

Managing employee performance effectively requires more than business acumen—it demands careful attention to legal risk at every stage. From setting clear expectations to documenting feedback and applying discipline consistently, each decision can either strengthen an employer's position or create costly litigation exposure. Understanding how to navigate performance issues while minimizing legal vulnerabilities is essential for protecting both the organization and its workforce.

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, applying California law, held that an employment practices liability insurer owed no duty to defend a qui tam action alleging prevailing-wage violations...

A Texas Business Court ruling examines when oral conduct can override written contractual requirements, particularly focusing on nonwaiver clauses and the interpretation of undefined contract terms like 'books and records.