Employment Law Observer

Discover the key QDRO requirements every employer and plan administrator should know to reduce risk and ensure compliant plan administration.

Identify common workplace risks before they become costly legal claims and learn how a proactive compliance review can help protect your business in our latest blog post.

Learn about three Illinois employment law changes taking effect on January 1, 2027, what they mean for employers, and practical steps organizations can take now to prepare for compliance.

A $4.75M retaliation verdict under the Massachusetts Paid Family and Medical Leave Act signals heightened risks for employers disciplining employees after leave. Learn key takeaways to protect your business.

Chicago’s revised Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance rules took effect on June 1, 2026—is your business prepared for compliance?

Employers: Prepare for the December 31, 2026, compliance deadline by learning more about the key retirement plan requirements set by amendments to the SECURE Act of 2019, the CARES Act of 2020, and the SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022:

Read how Illinois employers using AI in hiring, promotion, or other employment decisions face new notice and compliance obligations under amended Human Rights Act rules effective January 1, 2026.

Learn about compliance guidance for California’s recently updated requirements under the Fair Employment Housing Act, which protects against employment discrimination arising from AI, algorithms, and other automated decision systems.

Learn who’s covered under New York City’s Earned Sick and Safe Time Act (ESSTA), new tracking/reporting rules, and compliance steps for employers.

Read key takeaways and practical compliance recommendations for plan sponsors from a recent Seventh Circuit decision underscoring the importance of strictly following plan procedures when updating beneficiary designations.

Read the practical takeaways for employers from a recent Eleventh Circuit decision that clarifies when expenses such as transportation, travel to worksites, tool collection, and waiting at a labor hall are, or are not, compensable.

Read how New York’s Trapped at Work Act makes “stay-or-pay” promissory notes unlawful and protects a broad definition of “workers,” including employees, contractors, interns, and more.

Is your payroll compliant for 2026? Ensure your business is in compliance with New York State’s increased minimum wage rate, effective January 1, 2026.

Explore our annual "12 Days of the Holidays" blog series as we review key California labor and employment law updates for 2026, covering workplace safety, discrimination, paid leave, and more.

Read our blog post to ensure your business is prepared to comply with Minnesota’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave program, taking effect January 1, 2026. 

A recent Illinois appellate court decision could provide a roadmap for plaintiffs to sue employers over a workplace attack by a coworker. Read our analysis and key risk management takeaways in our new blog post.

Learn how Illinois’ new VESSA amendment requires employers to permit employees to use company devices to document workplace violence. Ensure your policies are compliant by reading our new blog post.

The Executive Order directs federal agencies to eliminate or de-prioritize disparate impact liability “to the maximum degree possible,” fundamentally realigning federal enforcement around intentional discrimination and away from statistical disparities alone.

Learn about key changes to the Illinois Workplace Transparency Act requirements taking effect January 1, 2026, and read our latest blog post for practical guidance on how employers can ensure compliance.

Learn the new employer obligations under the Illinois Family Neonatal Intensive Care Leave Act, taking effect on June 1, 2026.