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
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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…
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…
Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals Finds Remote Employee Who Did Not Reside or Work in Minnesota Is Not Protected by the Minnesota Human Rights Act
A three-judge panel of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit recently issued a decision in Kuklenski v. Medtronic USA, Inc., No. 24-1310 (8th Cir. Apr. 9, 2025), finding that the definition of “employee” in the Minnesota Human Rights Act (“MHRA”) requires physical presence within Minnesota; virtual presence and work-related contacts…
SEPA SHRM and Ballard Spahr LLP 2025 HR Legal Summit
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 to stay informed about legal trends and developments, ensuring compliance and effective management of workplace issues.
Ballard Spahr and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of SHRM (SEPA SHRM) is hosting our 13th Annual HR…
American Alliance for Equal Rights Files Complaints with the IRS Seeking Investigations into Tax-Exempt Foundations Based on Allegations of Racial Discrimination
On April 1, 2025, the American Alliance for Equal Rights (“AAER”) filed complaints with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) alleging three tax-exempt private foundations—the Gates Foundation, the Lagrant Foundation and the Creative Capital Foundation—have engaged in racial discrimination by excluding white citizens from benefits and opportunities based on their race. Each complaint requests that the…
New Leadership at the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Signals Potential Overhaul of Affirmative Action Compliance Framework
On March 24, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor announced the appointment of Catherine Eschbach as Director of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), the agency charged with overseeing regulation and enforcement of affirmative action laws for government contractors and subcontractors. Eschbach signaled a shift in the agency’s mission, stating the OFCCP “will…
Trump Rescinds Additional Biden-Era Executive Orders, Rolling Back Minimum Wage and Labor-Friendly Provisions for Federal Contractors
Following President Trump’s issuance of Executive Order 14148 on January 20, 2025, which rescinded 78 executive actions taken by Former President Biden, the President rescinded an additional slew of Biden-era executive actions on March 14. Among the 18 executive actions revoked is a duo of Executive Orders which applied to federal contractors and subcontractors and…
Senate Confirms Chavez-DeRemer as 30th Secretary of Labor and Sonderling as Deputy Secretary
On March 10, 2025, in a 67-32 vote, the Senate confirmed the appointment of one-term Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer as the 30th Secretary of Labor and former EEOC Commissioner Keith Sonderling as Deputy Secretary.
Formally nominated by President Trump on January 20, 2025, Chavez-DeRemer (R) represented Oregon’s Fifth Congressional District from 2022-2024, sitting on House Committees…