In a landmark move, Rhode Island has become the first state in the United States to mandate workplace accommodations for employees and applicants experiencing menopause and related medical conditions. The law became effective...more
In recent years, certain manufacturers are requiring workers to use wearable technologies at work to increase efficiency and productivity and mitigate health and safety risks. Although the use and application of wearable...more
10/6/2025
/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ,
Biometric Information ,
Data Privacy ,
Data Security ,
Employee Monitoring ,
Employee Privacy Rights ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Manufacturers ,
Risk Management ,
Warehouses ,
Wearable Technology ,
Workplace Safety
With fall approaching and school back in session, the end of 2025 is on the horizon. The beginning of the new calendar year serves as an opportune time for manufacturers to revisit their wage and hour practices for compliance...more
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to quickly spread across the manufacturing industry, and employers are tasked with understanding and managing the impact and capabilities of this burgeoning technology. While...more
As tariff talks continue to heat up and fuel heightened economic uncertainty, manufacturers are left to determine how to best manage their workforces while continuing to meet customer demands. Manufacturers seeking to weather...more
Employers in the home health care industry should take note of a recent proposal by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) that could change the way employees providing companionship services and live-in domestic services are...more
Manufacturers that are covered federal contractors may be wondering when they are required to certify compliance with the affirmative action plan regulations. At this point, the answer is not clear and recent proposals from...more
Every year, private sector employers with 100 or more employees, and federal contractors with 50 or more employees who met certain criteria, are required to submit workforce demographic data to the federal Equal Employment...more
Trees are beginning to bloom, and bees are buzzing in flower fields as spring is officially underway. As summertime approaches and temperatures continue to rise, employers should be prepared for “Spring Things,” such as...more
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has been a regular topic of the flurry of executive orders issued by President Trump since his inauguration. Even before his return to the Oval Office, there was speculation...more
3/25/2025
/ Employment Discrimination ,
Employment Litigation ,
Enforcement Actions ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Executive Orders ,
Gender Identity ,
LGBTQ ,
Manufacturers ,
Sexual Orientation Discrimination ,
Title VII ,
Trump Administration
In January 2025, President Trump issued a flurry of executive orders. Several may significantly impact employers; the key aspects of these orders are described below, although this is not an exhaustive summary of every...more
2/19/2025
/ Affirmative Action ,
Artificial Intelligence ,
Compliance ,
Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Diversity and Inclusion Standards (D&I) ,
Employees ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Employment Discrimination ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Executive Orders ,
Federal Contractors ,
OFCCP ,
Trump Administration
On January 21, President Trump signed an executive order titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” (the Order), revoking Executive Order 11246, the long-standing order that required federal...more
As we look ahead to 2025, several important labor and employment law changes, planned and potential, are on the horizon. With President Trump set to return to the Oval Office on January 20, 2025, labor and employment law...more
1/21/2025
/ Artificial Intelligence ,
Employment Contract ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) ,
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) ,
Independent Contractors ,
Labor Reform ,
Labor Relations ,
Minimum Wage ,
NLRB ,
Non-Compete Agreements ,
Union Organizers
Lawmakers in the city and state of New York were busy in 2024 enacting various labor- and employment-related legislation that is already impacting the workplace....more
12/20/2024
/ Anti-Discrimination Policies ,
Compliance ,
Employee Rights ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Freelance Workers ,
Labor Relations ,
Minimum Wage ,
New York ,
Paid Leave ,
Paid Sick Leave ,
Retailers ,
State Labor Laws ,
Wage and Hour ,
Workplace Safety ,
Workplace Violence
Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island lawmakers were busy throughout 2024 enacting labor and employment-related legislation already impacting the workplace. Understanding these critical legal updates is essential for...more
12/16/2024
/ Employee Rights ,
Employees ,
Employer Responsibilities ,
Family Medical Leave ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Job Ads ,
New Regulations ,
Paid Leave ,
Paid Sick Leave ,
Pay Transparency ,
Sick Leave ,
State Labor Laws ,
Wage and Hour
As most manufacturers know, the Connecticut Legislature passed significant amendments to the Connecticut Paid Sick Leave (PSL) law, which are set to go into effect on January 1, 2025, and pertains to employers with 25 or more...more
Last week, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas vacated and set aside the United States Department of Labor’s (DOL) final rule raising the minimum salary threshold for the Fair Labor Standards...more
There is no greater Halloween horror for employers than a workplace celebration that creates legal risks such as inappropriate costumes or safety hazards, among other issues. Thus, there are many considerations when planning...more
As the seasons change, so do manufacturers’ priorities. Fall is typically one of the busiest hiring periods of the calendar year, so many manufacturers are likely bracing themselves for this challenge. That said, there were...more
9/10/2024
/ Department of Labor (DOL) ,
Employee Definition ,
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) ,
Federal Labor Laws ,
Independent Contractors ,
Manufacturers ,
Minimum Salary ,
Paid Leave ,
Paid Sick Leave ,
Pay Transparency ,
Wage and Hour
On July 31, 2024, Massachusetts became the latest state to pass a pay transparency law, titled the “Frances Perkins Workplace Equity Act” (the Act), joining four states and numerous municipalities that have enacted similar...more
8/21/2024
/ Disclosure Requirements ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Job Ads ,
Job Applicants ,
Labor Reform ,
New Legislation ,
New Regulations ,
Pay Discrimination ,
Pay Transparency ,
Salaried Employees ,
State Labor Laws ,
Wage and Hour
Artificial Intelligence (AI) can greatly benefit manufacturers in the workplace. That said, it should be handled with care. States across the country are attempting to regulate the use of AI in various contexts, from...more
With the 2024 election fast approaching, and political news exploding, manufacturers are asking an important question: What is the role of political bobbleheads, pins, stickers, and discussions in the workplace?...more
7/25/2024
/ Employee Rights ,
Employees ,
Employment Policies ,
Federal Labor Laws ,
First Amendment ,
Free Speech ,
Freedom of Expression ,
Manufacturers ,
NLRA ,
NLRB ,
Political Affiliation ,
Political Expression ,
Political Speech ,
State Labor Laws
It doesn’t seem fair that human resources (HR) personnel have to manage both labor shortages and overwhelming employee management tasks, but here we are. Companies are facing a critical shortage of skilled workers that is...more
7/19/2024
/ Algorithms ,
Artificial Intelligence ,
Bias ,
Employees ,
Hiring & Firing ,
Human Resources Professionals ,
Innovative Technology ,
Job Applicants ,
Labor Shortage ,
Machine Learning ,
Risk Mitigation
In June 2024, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued guidance tailored to the construction industry concerning harassment in the workplace or at the jobsite. The guidance is important for construction...more
7/16/2024
/ Anti-Harassment Policies ,
Construction Project ,
Construction Workers ,
Corporate Culture ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Employment Policies ,
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ,
Federal Labor Laws ,
New Guidance ,
New Regulations ,
Strategic Enforcement Plan ,
Workplace Harassment Guidance
On May 21, 2024, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed legislation expanding Connecticut’s Paid Sick Leave law beginning January 1, 2025. The new legislation expands the scope of employers covered by the law, increases the...more
6/12/2024
/ Corporate Counsel ,
Employee Benefits ,
Employees ,
Employer Liability Issues ,
Labor Reform ,
Manufacturers ,
New Legislation ,
Paid Sick Leave ,
Paid Time Off (PTO) ,
State Labor Laws ,
Wage and Hour