Volume 24 / October 2025

HR and the Law in the News

Religion Faith Believe Belief Praying Religion Concept

EEOC's Action to Protect Religious Freedom at Work


I was thinking that I had seen an increase in the number of news stories about lawsuits and charges being filed alleging employment discrimination based on religion. Then I saw the EEOC’s announcement recapping its actions in the first 200 days of the current Administration. While many of the cases revolve around employers’ mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement, plenty of others do not.

Click here for some examples and pitfalls to avoid.
3d Illustration of Male foot with ankle pain

Court Calls 3 Strikes Against Employer in ADA Claim


An employee's job required her to walk an average of 15,000 steps per day. She requested a reasonable accommodation due to a torn ligament in one foot. Her employer replied that it could not reasonably accommodate her request and fired her. The employee filed suit, alleging ADA (1) discrimination; (2) retaliation: and (3) failure to accommodate. The court denied the employer's request to have all three claims dismissed. Why?
 Click here to find out. 
illustration of retaliation paper message on white background

How Active Must Protected Activity Be?


A manager called an Arab American employee a rude, vulgar name (nope, I'm not printing it). A coworker, who was also Arab American, asked the manager, “Don’t you know I’m Lebanese?” The manager answered, “I thought you were Mexican.” Sometime thereafter, the coworker was fired by the manager. The employee sued for unlawful retaliation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Did the employee engage in lawfully protected activity when he defended his coworker and made the comment to the manager?
Click here to find the answer.

FTC Has Its Eyes on Noncompetes & More


The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued three announcements in just five days related to employers' use of noncompete agreements and other restrictive covenants. What words of warning did the FTC Chair give all employers?

Close up of businessman hands breaking employment contract. Boss dismissing an employee. Bankruptcy redundancy and getting fired concept. Employee losing job or failing interview. Human resources
Click here to find out. 

U.S. DOL Publishes Spring Regulatory Agenda


What's on the horizon? While the DOL is not obligated to meet any of its self-imposed deadlines, the agenda gives us some ideas of actions that may be forthcoming in the next six months. Issues and topics include: independent contractor classification, joint employer status, minimum wage for covered contractors, and more.

Click here for more information.
A person is answering question about hazards. He knows about workplace violence.

Do Your Employees Feel Safe?


This survey caught my attention. It is not addressing psychological safety, which I hear so much about lately. It is about employees' perception of their physical safety at work.


Click here for the full survey results.
UPCOMING EVENTS is written in white on a black board next to a phone_ notepad_ glasses_ pencils and a green plant.

Seven (7) Upcoming Events in October

1 FREE!


The public speaking schedule is back in full swing! Seven public events in October, plus a few already scheduled for November. Here's a partial listing.
 
Click here for a full listing with more in November

This publication does not constitute the rendering of legal advice. Please consult your company's legal counsel for guidance on any matter. 

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