Workplace Blog

Employers have often treated remote work as a flexible workplace policy, or something that can be expanded, modified or withdrawn as business needs change. Two recent labor developments at DreamWorks Animation and Blizzard Entertainment demonstrate why that assumption may no longer hold, particularly when employees are unionized or considering organization. On August 21, 2026, DreamWorks’…

The Louisiana Behind the Counter Protection Act (“LBCPA”), which took effect on August 1, 2026, aims to deter workplace violence against employees who work directly with the public in retail, restaurant, and other customer-facing businesses.[1] The Act strengthens criminal penalties for certain acts of violence against employees working at checkout stations, service counters, drive-through windows,…

A federal court ruling on June 24, 2026, raises interesting questions about whether noncompete restrictions impacting Tennessee healthcare providers that are broader than those specified in Tenn Code Ann. § 63-1-148 may be enforceable. First, a little background: In 2005, the Tennessee Supreme Court ruled that noncompete restrictions inhibiting a physician from competing are void as…

On May 7, 2026, Governor Bill Lee signed into law a new bill recently passed by the Tennessee General Assembly that significantly impacts noncompete agreements. Specifically: The new law goes into effect on July 1, 2026, and only applies to agreements executed after that date. Common questions for employers are answered below. Q. How is the $70,000…

As of April 2026, the National Labor Relations Board is functioning again, but not at full strength. The Board officially has five seats, yet only three are currently filled: Chairman James R. Murphy, Member David M. Prouty, and Member Scott A. Mayer. Murphy and Mayer were sworn in on January 7, 2026, restoring the Board’s…

Employer-sponsored networking events and leadership programs are often created to support professional development and employee engagement. But when access to those opportunities is limited based on a protected characteristic, the program itself can become the basis for a Title VII claim. That issue is at the center of the EEOC’s recent lawsuit against Coca-Cola Beverages…

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) offers the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) program as a voluntary pathway for employers to self-identify and resolve certain wage-and-hour and leave issues under federal law. Under PAID, employers can work with WHD to correct potential minimum wage, overtime, and tip-retention issues under the Fair…

The U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Wage and Hour Division (“WHD”) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“2026 Proposed Rule”) that would again revise the standard used to determine whether a worker is properly classified as an independent contractor under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). If finalized, the 2026 Proposed Rule would largely reinstate…

As the “Big Beautiful Bill” takes effect and additional proposals are discussed in Congress, businesses that rely on foreign talent should pay close attention to immigration reforms. Employer-sponsored visas have long been a critical tool for companies seeking to fill specialized roles, but changes could be in the works that significantly alter the way employers…

The Louisiana legislature recently enacted two new laws that affect Louisiana employers by providing anti-discrimination protections for military status and an exemption from final pay requirements for certain equity-based compensation. Below is a practical breakdown of the new laws and key takeaways for employers. Expanded Protections: “Military Status” Now Covered Under LEDL On August 1,…