Legal Issue

What Businesses Need to Know About DEI in the Trump Era: FAQs for Employers

by Fisher Phillips in Human Resources, Legal. Posted February 18, 2025

The whirlwind first few weeks of the second Trump administration have left private employers with concerns and questions related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. In order to dispel myths and provide practical answers about your legal risks, FP’s DEI and Equal Employment Opportunity Compliance Team has assembled the following series of questions and ...

AI in the Workplace: Legal Pitfalls and the Department of Labor’s Roadmap for Employers

by Darius Rohani-Shukla in Legal, Technology. Posted February 4, 2025

Understanding AI in the Workplace: What Employers Need to Know Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming how businesses operate. From automating repetitive tasks to streamlining decision-making, AI has become a powerful tool for increasing efficiency and fostering innovation. With its growing adoption, employers face many new questions about how AI should be used in the ...

ADA Disability Accommodation and Discrimination: A Guide for Employers

by Conn Maciel Carey in Human Resources, Legal. Posted January 21, 2025

ADA Overview The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a significant piece of federal legislation that protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination in various areas of life. Title I, in particular, applies to the protection of individuals with disabilities in the area of employment. Title I ensures that, so long as individuals with disabilities can ...

Nearly Half of All Hospitality Worker Fatalities in 2023 Were Caused By Workplace Violence: 10 Steps You Can Take to Address Workplace Dangers

by Fisher Phillips in Legal, Risk Management, Safety & Security. Posted January 16, 2025

Recently released statistics revealed that over 250 workers in the hospitality industry were killed on the job in the most recent reporting year, demonstrating once again that employers need to take safety seriously. According to the December 19 government release, the leading cause of workplace fatalities among restaurant and lodging workers was violent acts, accounting ...

New Year, New Goals: Why You’ll Want to Add Workplace Investigation Training to Your 2025 Resolution List

by Fisher Phillips in Human Resources, Safety & Security. Posted January 9, 2025

Before the ink dries on your professional New Year’s resolutions, you may want to add “empower leaders with investigation training.” While most employers appreciate that complaints about potential workplace misconduct or other policy violations may require a prompt investigation, many don’t appreciate what can go wrong if one is poorly executed. The most straightforward way ...

What is the WARN Act? What Employers Need to Know

by Conn Maciel Carey in Human Resources, Legal. Posted January 7, 2025

The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act requires employers to provide a 60-day notice before planned closings or mass layoffs. This law demands careful planning and communication to meet legal obligations and avoid liability. Non-compliance with the WARN Act can lead to significant penalties, including back pay, benefits to affected employees, and fines for ...

H-2 Visas Get Final Overhaul Before Change in Power in D.C. – 3 Biggest Changes for Employers

by Fisher Phillips in Human Resources, Legal. Posted January 2, 2025

Federal immigration officials announced final rules to modernize the H-2A and H-2B temporary worker programs last week in an effort to enhance flexibility, strengthen worker protections, and improve program efficiency beginning January 17, 2025. These changes from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will impact a variety of industries, such as agriculture, farming, hospitality, landscaping, ...

CSG Law Alert: Ten Tips to Avoid Your Seasonal Party Resulting in a Fa-La-La-La-Lawsuit

by CSG Law in Human Resources, Legal. Posted December 10, 2024

They say “it’s the most wonderful time of the year,” but, if you are a business owner, in-house counsel or HR professional, this can often be the most stressful time of the year, including when hosting company parties. Such celebrations, although well intended, can land your company on the “naughty list” and result in legal ...

Employer Cheat Sheet for Workplace Laws Taking Effect January 1

by Fisher Phillips in Human Resources, Legal. Posted December 3, 2024

As the year wraps up, we’re rounding up the new workplace laws that will take effect on January 1. With so many laws about to kick in, it can be hard to keep track of it all. Here’s a guide to some of the federal and state laws you’ll need to comply with on day ...

New Study Shows AI Resume Screeners Prefer White Male Candidates: Your 5-Step Blueprint to Prevent AI Discrimination in Hiring

by Fisher Phillips in Human Resources, Legal. Posted November 19, 2024

A new study reveals that popular AI-based resume screening tools often favor White and male candidates, showing that resumes tied to White-associated names were preferred 85% of the time. The University of Washington Information School study found that AI resume screening may inadvertently replicate – or even amplify – existing biases against certain demographics, and ...