Federal Employment Law Articles

The Beltway Buzz ® is a weekly update summarizing labor and employment news from inside the Beltway and clarifying how what’s happening in Washington, D.C., could impact your business.

On June 25, 2026, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) published a notice in the Federal Register that confirms that the government’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) contract clause reaches well beyond traditional contractors. Any GSA contractor, including companies that lease space to federal agencies or operate concessions on federal property, now fall within its scope, and noncompliance can carry suspension, debarment, or False Claims Act risks.

The Supreme Court of the United States’ opinion in Blanche v. Lau , No. 25-429 (June 23, 2026), reshapes how border officers may treat returning green card holders suspected of having committed offenses that would render them inadmissible. The ruling is important for lawful permanent residents (LPRs) planning international travel.

On June 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a technical release confirming that employer contributions to a child’s Trump Account won’t be subject to Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA).

Looking Forward to October 2026: Next Phase of Changes under the UK Employment Rights Act 2025 The next phase of significant reforms under the UK Employment Rights Act 2025 (“ERA 2025”) is expected in August and early October 2026, which includes introducing wide-ranging trade union provisions, enhanced duties on employers to prevent sexual harassment in the workplace, and potential liability for harassment by third parties, among other changes. In this article, we set out the key changes for A…

On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States held in Trump v. Slaughter that the "for cause" removal provision for Federal Trade Commission (FTC) members is "contrary to the separation of powers enshrined in the [United States] Constitution." The decision could have broader implications for the president’s authority to remove officers of other federal agencies, such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB).

Takeaways DHS rule cleared by the White House and would replace the long-standing “duration of status” (D/S) framework with fixed admission periods. Extension filings and increased government oversight may create additional administrative burdens and uncertainty for visa holders. The proposal has not been finalized, and the current D/S system remains in effect. A proposed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule that recently cleared White House review could fundamentally change how internati…

The U.S. Supreme Court passed on an opportunity last month to address a question that has quietly divided courts across the country: when can an employer be held liable for harassment committed by someone who

Routine practices may lead to the mistaken impression that filings in court are exempt from copyright infringement, they are not. Read more.

Labor & Employment World Cup 2026: Canada and Switzerland on Working Time and Workplace Flexibility Kickoff: Getting to Know the Switzerland National Team While the Swiss national football team is not traditionally viewed among the continent’s elite football powers, Switzerland has consistently qualified for major international tournaments and is known for its ability to compete effectively against stronger opponents. It has earned a reputation as one of Europe’s most tactically organized s…

In this episode of our Defensible Decisions podcast series, shareholder Scott Kelly (Birmingham/Washington) is joined by Pete Bell and Chrissy Blantz from the firm’s Data Analytics team to introduce the firm’s Talent Risk Assessor—a comprehensive dashboard built to help employers identify workforce risk across the entire employment lifecycle. Scott, who is chair of the firm’s […]

In this installment of our Workplace Strategies Watercooler 2026 podcast series, shareholders Simone Francis (St. Thomas/New York) and Lauren Hicks (Indianapolis) explore the fast-moving legal landscape surrounding AI ethics in the workplace, from the ethics rules that already govern attorney AI use to the cautionary tales of real cases with real consequences. Lauren and Simone […]

On 16 June 2026, the European Parliament voted 423-to-57 to formally amend the EU AI Act for the first time since the regulation entered into force in August 2024.

Labor & Employment World Cup 2026: Colombia v. Mexico on the Changing Workforce Kickoff: Getting to Know the Colombian National Team Colombia returns to the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2018, carrying a sense of unfinished business that dates back more than a decade and involves a bit of heartbreak. For many supporters, the defining moment remains the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Colombia produced one of the most memorable tournaments in its history, advancing to the quarterfinals w…

Shaw Law Group founder Jennifer Shaw was recently quoted in HR Dive's article, "Don't Be Scared, Be Prepared: Preventing Workplace Violence," sharing practical guidance for employers on creating safer workplaces and complying with workplace violence

A recent study by Stanford University’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) provides new large-scale evidence that artificial intelligence (AI) hiring tools can produce racially…