Policies / Handbooks

Court: Toxic social media posts justify denying promotion

09/29/2025

Not everyone wants to spend their time deleting emails, blocking co-workers they don’t see eye to eye with or reading rants on message boards or “forward to all” emails. But employers sometimes don’t know when they can discipline over employees’ posts on and off company resources. Now, a federal appeals court has clarified some limits in a recent case.

Detecting, preventing and eliminating drug abuse at work

09/15/2025

September is National Recovery Month, highlighting the work being done to help Americans recover from often-devastating addictions to drugs and alcohol. It’s a good time to review your policies on detecting, preventing and eliminating drug abuse in the workplace to make sure you’re doing so the legal way.

10 workplace policy trends shaping HR in 2025

09/15/2025

When rules shift quickly at the federal level, HR professionals often feel the impact first. Littler’s 2025 Labor Day Report points to a year defined by legal battles, state-level countermeasures and ongoing questions about the balance of power between employers, workers and regulators. These are the major trends to watch, according to the law firm.

Political shifts prompt DEI pullbacks—and ripple effects for workforce diversity

08/11/2025

A new survey from Resume.org of 965 U.S. business leaders shows that diversity, equity and inclusion efforts have sharply declined in the wake of President Trump’s November 2024 reelection—and the consequences are already visible.

Paramount merger came with a DEI disclaimer

08/04/2025

When Paramount sought to merge with Skydance, an apparent condition precedent for approval by the Federal Communications Commission was that the resulting merged organization eliminate all diversity, equity and inclusion programs or initiatives.

Check your policies and stay cognizant of antisemitism at work

07/14/2025

Jonathan Segal, a partner at Duane Morris LLP, tells HR professionals to stay cognizant as he witnesses “an explosion and evolution” of antisemitic views. He advises them to condemn antisemitism as they would other workplace -isms.

How discrimination beliefs are driving resistance to DEI initiatives

06/23/2025

When conversations around workplace equity stall or spark conflict, it’s often not because someone is unwilling to engage, but because people are starting from entirely different premises. A new Pew Research Center report highlights how vastly Americans’ perceptions of discrimination differ across political, demographic and social lines.

DOJ to seek criminal charges against federal contractors with ‘illegal’ DEI programs

06/02/2025

A memo makes clear that the DOJ wants whistleblowers to come forward with allegations of rogue DEI programs.

OK to terminate even if handbook doesn’t address obvious employee wrongdoing

05/19/2025

If an employee does or says something that clearly requires immediate discharge, don’t let the lack of a handbook policy stop you from acting. Courts usually side with employers that fire workers for behavior that runs counter to the employer’s best interest.

Understand the difference between legal and illegal DEI

05/15/2025

Quotas and preferences based on protected characteristics are unlawful. But what if you want to improve representation of marginalized groups in your workplace, and do it legally? Thankfully, the EEOC has long offered guidance.