Week@Work

This episode highlights several key developments. Leadership changes at the Department of Labor are already driving movement, with Acting Secretary Keith Sonderling advancing a new proposed joint employer rule under both the FLSA and FMLA, even as California employers remain subject to a broader state standard and increasing litigation targeting indirect liability in vendor and staffing relationships. Union activity continues to draw scrutiny, with the Ninth Circuit enforcing a bargaining order despite a failed union vote, while internal conflict at the EEOC has surfaced in a lawsuit alleging discrimination and retaliation tied to recent policy positions. A growing wave of California lawsuits underscores familiar risk areas, including terminations and demotions following protected leave, hiring-related misrepresentation claims, and wage and hour allegations paired with joint employer theories, with high-profile cases involving a celebrity employer and an AI startup accused of rescinding an offer after alleged misrepresentations. And in our bizarre case, a SantaCon executive faces federal fraud charges after allegedly diverting more than $1 million in charitable funds for personal use.

This episode highlights several key developments. Turmoil at the Department of Labor intensifies with investigations, misconduct allegations, and leadership shakeups. The NLRB moves closer to a Republican majority, setting up potential reversals on joint employer rules, handbook policies, and union elections. New York bans the use of credit history in employment decisions, reinforcing a trend that California employers already face. California releases new pay data confirming the gender wage gap and signaling targeted enforcement ahead of reporting deadlines. SoFi Stadium faces labor charges tied to potential ICE presence during the World Cup. A wave of California lawsuits hits employers, including meal and rest break claims, misclassification suits, a wrongful termination case against PG&E, and allegations of workplace misconduct by a CEO. And our bizarre case involves a fan performer accused of creating a hostile work environment at Madison Square Garden.

This episode highlights several key developments. IBM pays $17 million to resolve DEI-related federal claims as enforcement priorities shift. The EEOC reports $660 million recovered while signaling a renewed focus on religious bias and “anti-American” discrimination. The Trump administration proposes a major budget shakeup, boosting the EEOC while cutting the Department of Labor. A federal judge dismisses a high-profile race discrimination case against CBS. The NLRB targets joint employer relationships in a ruling involving Google and orders a union re-vote tied to USC. A wave of new lawsuits hits major employers, including disability claims, a Bachelor editor’s wage and hour case against Warner Bros., and a nationwide parental leave discrimination suit against Deloitte. And our bizarre case involves a late-night city hall encounter, missing pants, and a fired IT worker raising real questions about free speech, retaliation, and what counts as protected activity.

This episode highlights several key developments. President Trump issues another DEI Executive Order. Lively’s harassment claims “ends with” NY judge. Woman referee sues NFL for “gender humiliation.” Tech company settles failure to hire case for big bucks. Plaintiff lawyers say “can you hear me now” with cell phone reimbursement suits. And our bizarre case asserts piglet protection claim.

This episode highlights a $5 million jury verdict against BMW, a major wage and hour settlement tied to regular rate miscalculations, and increased federal scrutiny on religious accommodations, all developments California employers need to know. It also underscores that the biggest risks remain familiar but costly, misclassification, wage and hour violations, and retaliation, where small compliance gaps continue to fuel significant litigation exposure.

This episode highlights the intensifying scrutiny of DEI programs, including the proposed expansion of the FEHA to include menopause and a major wage and hour class action against Walmart. It also highlights how emerging workplace issues, from employee monitoring to evolving technologies, are creating new challenges for employers navigating compliance.