EEOC Rescinds Harassment Guidance
On January 22, 2026, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) voted 2-1 to rescind its “Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace” (Harassment Guidance), a 190-page document which had been approved in 2024. Although the Harassment Guidance did not have the force of law, it aimed to help employers identify and prevent activities that could […]
EEOC and DOJ Warn Against Unlawful DEI-Related Discrimination
On March 16, the EEOC and the Department of Justice (DOJ) warned against DEI-related discrimination in the workplace in a technical assistance document.
Presidential Executive Orders Reject Gender Ideology and Illegal DEI Programs
Employer responses to Executive Orders should be tailored based on corporate and regulatory status, funding sources, and industry. Lake Effect is here to answer your questions and discuss potential implications of these recent Orders.
DOL Final Rule Blocked: No Salary Level Increase for January 1, 2025
With this decision, the federal court rendered all elements of the Final Rule null and void: the July 1, 2024 salary level increase, the January 1, 2025 salary level increase, and planned future increases for both.
Federal Court Vacates 2021 US Department of Labor Final Rule on Tipped Workers
On August 23, 2024, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in Texas vacated the US Department of Labor (DOL) 2021 Final Rule which had set strict guidance on the payment of tipped employees. As a reminder, the 2021 Rule had established three different categories of work that may be performed by tipped employees and specified […]
FTC Ban on Noncompetition Agreements Takes Effect
As we previously reported, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued its final rule on April 23, 2024, banning noncompetition agreements and related provisions. The rule will take effect on September 4, 2024, 120 days after publication in the Federal Register. As of September 4th, employers who have employees under existing noncompete agreements and related provisions, […]
New Wisconsin Employment-Related Laws
On March 27, 2024, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers signed two bills into law that have the potential to require actions for some employers.
Review Your Handbooks Now
In the fall of 2023, we encouraged organizations to review their handbooks based on recent NLRB decisions focused on employees’ rights to engage in protected activity even in non-union settings. We are renewing that call – as several states have implemented new laws that could have a significant impact on handbooks and employment policies. For […]
New Test for Employee vs. Independent Contractor
As of March 11, 2024, the US Department of Labor (DOL) will return to the analysis it has historically used to classify workers, employing a six-factor balancing test.
Benefits Limits for 2024
2024 IRS limits for employee benefit plans, flex plans, and retirement plans.
