New York State and City have enacted new requirements for employers in recent weeks. With these recent changes and the summer upon us, now may be an ideal time for employers to review and update their handbook policies and employee notices to ensure full compliance and alignment with the latest requirements.
Read MoreThe U.S. Department of Justice (“DOJ”) recently announced the creation of the Civil Rights Fraud Initiative (the “Initiative”). The Initiative will use the False Claims Act (“FCA”) to investigate and pursue claims against any recipient of federal funds that “knowingly violates federal civil rights laws,” with a particular emphasis on bringing claims against entities engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) practices that may violate federal anti-discrimination laws. This stems from an early Trump Administration Executive Order, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” (the “Executive Order”), which first linked violations of federal anti-discrimination laws with potential enforcement under the FCA.
Read MoreAmendments passed as part of New York’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget process now limit the damages available for violation of New York Labor Law § 191(1)(a).
Read MoreIn recent months, the Trump administration has issued a series of Executive Orders, many of which may have vast implications for employment policies and procedures. Recently, the Trump administration issued an Executive Order entitled “Restoring Equality of Opportunity and Meritocracy” (“EO”) targeting disparate impact liability as “all but requir[ing] individuals and businesses to consider race and engage in racial balancing to avoid potentially crippling legal liability”. This alert summarizes the potential impact of this EO for employers.
Read MoreIn Tudor v. Whitehall Central School District, the Second Circuit recently clarified that an employer may be required to provide a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act even when an employee can perform the essential functions of their job without one.
Read MoreWe have continued to track the rapidly evolving circumstances surrounding the Trump Administration’s Executive Orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (“DEI”) programs. Recent developments include a reported retroactive review of affirmative action plan submissions by federal contractors, and the issuance of a nationwide temporary restraining order that blocks the U.S. Department of Labor from enforcing a certification requirement against grant recipients and federal contractors.
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