A recent opinion letter from the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (WHD), FLSA2026-5, offers a helpful reminder for employers managing exempt classifications — particularly in workplaces where employees may perform a mix of exempt and non-exempt work.
The key takeaway: An employee does not lose exempt status simply because they perform
As summer approaches, many organizations welcome interns and host a variety of social events, including happy hours, outings, and team-building activities. While these programs can boost morale and provide valuable networking opportunities, they also introduce additional workplace risks, particularly when alcohol, power dynamics, and inclusion concerns intersect. For employers with summer interns, thoughtful planning can
The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division welcomed the new year by issuing six new opinion letters on January 5, 2026 — four regarding the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and two regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). As background, opinion letters explain how the DOL applies federal employment laws
As the year comes to a close, year-end performance reviews are in full swing. While these reviews may not be everyone’s favorite part of the job, they remain an important tool to support workplace development. This year, take a moment to revisit some best practices for conducting fair, effective performance reviews — and why these
Just this week, in Richards v. Eli Lily & Co., the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals became the third circuit to depart from the long-standing Lusardi standard for distributing notice to potential plaintiffs in collective actions. The Seventh Circuit adopted a new test that lower courts must now follow to determine whether notice should
Federal layoffs have been a focal point of President Trump’s administration, drawing both strong support and opposition. On March 15, Trump issued an executive order directing seven federal agencies to make workforce cuts. Among the agencies affected was the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. Downsizing this agency could prove problematic for resolving many employer-union disputes
When did you last look at your employee leave policies? As the calendar turns to a new year, new changes often arrive, and 2025 is no exception. Employers should take note of the recent updates to state leave laws that went into effect on January 1, 2025.
Here are some states have implemented new or
With Thanksgiving right around the corner, now is the perfect time to reflect on things for which we have to be thankful. In the ever-evolving world of labor and employment law, there have been several significant developments over the past year that employers can appreciate.
Here are five key updates for which we are thankful: