Seattle has become the first city in the U.S. to include caste as a legally protected class for unlawful workplace discrimination. The Seattle city council voted on February 22, 2023, to amend the city law to ban caste discrimination in workplaces, housing, and public services. The new ban was signed…
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On January 20, 2023, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) released a new list of federal contractors it intends to review in the coming months for affirmative action compliance. This Corporate Scheduling Announcement List (CSAL) is a courtesy heads-up, showing which companies will be selected for random affirmative…
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On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed a bill that grants reasonable accommodation rights to pregnant workers and grants workers who are exempt from overtime the right to take breaks to express breast milk. Both provisions, which are actually separate laws, are tucked in the $1.7 trillion 2023 omnibus spending…
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On December 7, 2022, President Biden signed the Speak Out Act (S. 4524), which invalidates any language in an agreement that prohibits individuals, including employees and independent contractors, from discussing potential future allegations of sexual harassment or assault. Some companies require workers to sign agreements that include nondisclosure or nondisparagement…
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The Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) recently announced the following financial settlements with federal contractors, as the result of routine affirmative action audits. These are the first settlements to be announced during the agency’s 2023 fiscal year, which began on October 1, 2022. In each case, the company signed a…
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With the widespread easing of COVID-19 (coronavirus) restrictions, our attorneys have been fielding a number of questions about resuming company holiday parties. Here are some recommendations to enjoy a fun celebration with coworkers without getting the company into trouble: Stay healthy: Tell employees to please stay home if they don’t feel well, so…
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Question: I understand the U.S. Supreme Court is considering a legal challenge to two universities’ race-based student admissions practices. If the Court strikes down these practices, how will it affect our affirmative action obligations as a federal contractor? Answer: It won’t, for many reasons. The universities’ alleged practices of considering race/ethnicity when selecting…
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Just in time before the close of the federal fiscal year on September 30, 2022, the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) obtained a number of significant financial settlements with federal contractors. The OFCCP had selected these companies for routine audits of their affirmative action plans (AAPs) and found…
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On October 19, 2022, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced the replacement of its mandatory “EEO is the Law” poster with a new one titled, “Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal.” At long last, the revisions incorporate information from the temporary supplement to the “EEO is the Law” poster, which federal contractors…
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Question: Times are tough, and we might have to lay off employees or downsize. What do we need to think about beforehand and what steps do we need to take in advance? Answer: Two words: plan ahead. Planning for a reduction in force (RIF) and making sure everything is in order…
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