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Policies / Handbooks

EEOC chair warns employers about DEI discrimination risks

03/09/2026
In a letter sent to chief executives, general counsel and board chairs, the agency’s leader emphasized that workplace initiatives tied to diversity, equity and inclusion must still comply with longstanding protections under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Department of Justice tees up DEI challenge for Supreme Court

03/02/2026
Still missing in early 2026 is a Supreme Court ruling forcing employers to drop DEI efforts. Now the Department of Justice has signaled that it will push for a Supreme Court decision along those lines.

FTC warns entities about DEI certifications

02/23/2026
The FTC letter warns that law firms may be deemed to have conspired to limit hiring of other groups based strictly on the goal called for in the certification. That sharing of information among law firms, the letter claims, could violate antitrust laws the FTC enforces.

DEI executive orders remain in effect after ruling

02/23/2026
For now, contractors, grant recipients and employers will have to work with their attorneys to determine whether their programs discriminate.

How to craft a ‘no recording’ handbook rule

02/09/2026
Back in late 2025, the NLRB laid out a new rule on when employers may ban workers from carrying and using recording devices, including phones and other smart devices like Apple watches. That new rule told employers that banning recording via a handbook rule was presumptively an NLRA violation, and employers have a heavy burden to prove their handbook rule is legal. Now an NLRB administrative judge has clarified what employers must show to justify a no-recording handbook rule.

Lunchroom food rules may lead to discrimination charges

02/09/2026
If you’ve had to create lunchroom rules based on what employees are bringing to eat or heating up in the microwave, it’s time to rethink that strategy. An employer recently paid $200,000 to a couple whose discrimination lawsuit began with a co-worker’s complaint about allegedly “pungent” Indian food and deteriorated from there.

A Valentine’s Day reminder for HR: Check your fraternization policy

02/09/2026
Heading into the Valentine’s Day holiday is always a good time for HR professionals to dust off their company’s fraternization policies, and to remind your managers and employees of these guidelines.

OPM guidance puts telework policies back under the microscope

01/26/2026
Federal telework policies moved back into the spotlight after the Office of Personnel Management updated its guidance to emphasize in-person work as the default for most federal employees. While the revisions align with the Trump administration’s January 2025 return-to-office orders, the guidance also outlines practical guardrails that HR teams outside the government can use as benchmarks when reviewing their telework frameworks.

Flu surge highlights importance of clear HR policy

01/20/2026
The flu is surging well beyond typical seasonal levels, and HR leaders can’t rely on outdated policies to protect their workplaces.

New York set to enact first AI law after Trump executive order

01/12/2026
On Dec. 11, President Trump signed an executive order on artificial intelligence aimed at promoting the United States as a global leader in AI development. Almost immediately after, New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation that will establish new state rules on the development of AI models.