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
U.S. Department of Labor Self-Audit PAID Program Returns, Allowing Employers to Identify and Resolve FLSA and FMLA Violations
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced several self-audit programs to assist employers, unions, and benefit plan officials with voluntarily assessing and correcting their compliance with federal labor laws. One of those programs is the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program. The PAID program encourages employers to self-identify and resolve minimum wage and overtime violations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and certain leave violations under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).… Continue Reading
New Philadelphia Ordinance Aims to EmPOWER Employees
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
Reverse Discrimination Lawsuits Are So Back
On June 5, 2025, a unanimous Supreme Court eliminated the requirement for a higher evidentiary standard for majority plaintiffs (white, male, heterosexual, etc.) who claim discrimination under Title VII (also known as reverse discrimination). Ames v. Ohio Department of Youth Services, 605 U.S. ___ (2025).This ruling is expected to make it easier for reverse discrimination claimants to bring their claims in federal court.… Continue Reading
Congress Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Provide Federal Paid Family Leave Funding for States
On April 30, 2025, Congressional Representatives Stephanie Bice (R-Oklahoma) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pennsylvania) introduced the More Paid Leave for More Americans Act in the House of Representatives.
The bill would develop a three-year pilot program administered by the federal Department of Labor (DOL) that would provide grant funding to states that establish paid family leave programs in partnership with private companies.… Continue Reading
Department of Labor to Reconsider Rule Increasing Overtime Salary Thresholds for White Collar and Highly Compensated Workers
During the Biden administration, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a final regulation (the “2024 Rule”) seeking to increase the salary threshold for overtime eligibility for the “white-collar” exemption (also referred to as the “EAP” exemption – executive, administrative, and professional) and the “highly-compensated employee” (HCE) exemption under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).… Continue Reading
Maryland Delays Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program Again & Clarifies Parental Leave Law
Maryland Postpones the Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI)
On May 6, 2025, Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed into law HB 102, delaying the start date of Maryland’s highly anticipated paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance program (“FAMLI”). Maryland employers and employees now will begin making contributions to the insurance program on January 1, 2027. … Continue Reading
Court Permanently Blocks DOL from Enforcing DEI Certification Provisions
In our previous post, we discussed the nationwide temporary restraining order issued by the United States District Court for the North District of Illinois that temporarily prevented the Department of Labor from requiring federal contractors to certify that they do not operate any diversity, equity, or inclusion programs that violate the Trump Administration’s recent Executive Orders (“Certification Provision”).… Continue Reading
The Dole Act Expands Workplace Protections for Military Service
The 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act, also known as the Dole Act, was signed into law by President Biden on January 2, 2025. This legislation expands employment protections for veterans under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (“USERRA”). USERRA establishes rights and benefits for employees and job applicants who have served in the military or engaged in other forms of protected governmental service (including the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Medical Disaster System, and the Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service).… Continue Reading
Federal District Court Temporarily Blocks DOL from Requiring DEI Certification Provisions
On March 27, 2025, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois granted a nationwide temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the Department of Labor (DOL) from requiring federal contractors and grant recipients to certify that they do not operate any diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs that violate the Trump Administration’s recent DEI related Executive Orders.… Continue Reading