After briefly releasing — and then quickly withdrawing — its regulatory agenda last week, the Department of Labor (DOL) has republished its Spring 2025 unified agenda. According to the DOL’s press release, the Spring 2025 agenda reflects a focus on transparency, deregulatory actions, and clarifying employer obligations across a range of labor and employment issues.… Continue Reading
Marc Seawright, former Director of Information Governance and Strategy at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), submitted a formal complaint with the EEOC alleging discrimination and harassment based on sex (specifically, gender identity and sexual orientation), as well as a hostile work environment. Seawright, who identifies as a queer transgender man, resigned from his position on June 18, 2025.… Continue Reading
The Fourth Circuit recently reminded employees of their shared obligation to participate in the interactive process with their employer when requesting a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”). The case, Tarquinio v. Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, No. 24-1432 (4th Cir. 2025), makes clear that employees must provide their employers with requested documentation and information where the connection between their disability and its limitations on their work is not obvious. … Continue Reading
Ballard Spahr LLP’s Labor and Employment Group, in collaboration with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of SHRM (SEPA SHRM), is pleased to present our sessions and speakers for the upcoming HR Legal Summit. This program is designed for HR professionals and in-house counsel to stay informed on legal trends and developments, ensuring compliance and effective management of workplace issues.… Continue Reading
Entities receiving federal funds, including educational institutions, state and local governments, and public and private employers, must ensure that their programs and activities comply with federal law and do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, or other protected characteristics, according to the latest guidance issued by the Department of Justice.… Continue Reading
On July 17, 2025, the White House sent a series of nominations to the Senate, including nominations for two National Labor Relations Board members – Scott Mayer and James Murphy. If confirmed, the nominees would join sitting Board Members Marvin E. Kaplan (Chair) and David Prouty, to create a quorum at the Board for the first time in almost six months. … Continue Reading
The National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) Acting General Counsel recently concluded that surreptitious recordings of collective bargaining sessions is a per se violation of the National Labor Relations Act (the Act). In the memo issued to NLRB regional offices on June 25, 2025, Acting General Counsel William B. Cowen instructed regions to issue a complaint, alleging bad faith bargaining, if an investigation reveals surreptitious recording occurred. … Continue Reading
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently confirmed the establishment of a temporary Office of Immigration Policy, aimed at enhancing how DOL administers employment‑based immigration programs.
The new office comes amid growing employer reliance on legal immigration pathways to ensure a “timely, qualified, and stable workforce” through improved visa access as border and interior enforcement has intensified.… Continue Reading
On May 27, 2025, Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker signed the Protect Our Workers, Enforce Rights Act (POWER Act). The ordinance, found here, aims to enhance protections related to paid sick leave, wage theft, and domestic worker rights. The POWER Act also provides for anti-retaliation protections, and it authorizes the Office of Work Protection (OWP) to investigate and enforce all provisions.… Continue Reading
Participating in SEPA SHRM’s premier legal conference, co-hosted with Ballard Spahr’s Labor & Employment Group, is essential for HR professionals and in-house counsel to stay informed about legal trends and developments, ensuring compliance and effective management of workplace issues.
Ballard Spahr LLP and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of SHRM (SEPA SHRM) are hosting our 13th Annual HR Legal Summit, where over 200 HR professionals will gain practical insights into Labor and Employment compliance for 2025 and beyond.… Continue Reading