6 stories from the ABA’s employment law conference

Attorneys discussed this year’s hot topics — most notably, how to respond to the White House’s crackdown on “illegal” DEI.

Woman welder’s workplace murder prompts calls for change

The killing of 20-year-old welder Amber Czech in Minnesota has spurred trade groups to advocate for better protections for women and transparency in harassment reporting.

This week in 5 numbers: Job openings up, but hires down

Here’s a roundup of numbers from the last week of HR news — including how many daily generative artificial intelligence users said they were more productive from using the technology.

8 in 10 companies will award executives bonuses this year, survey finds

Meanwhile, nearly a third of companies plan to lay off workers before the end of the year, per the Resume.org survey.

The ‘AI race’ has fostered better hiring decisions — and mistrust, survey finds

Hiring managers are conducting more in-person interviews to weed out fakes, while recruiters suspect their systems may be rejecting qualified candidates, according to a Greenhouse report.

Online searches for apprenticeships more than doubled in the past five years, Indeed says

The number of apprenticeship programs has grown in recent years, particularly in mechanics, electrical and manufacturing.

Executive pay stabilizes as boards shift to performance-based strategies

While CEO pay jumped significantly in 2024, driven by market recovery and aggressive long-term incentive strategies, that growth is now cooling, Gallagher said.

Mailbag: Should we follow EEOC’s lead on gender identity policy?

A University of Colorado Law School professor weighed in Friday at the American Bar Association’s annual labor and employment law conference.

Employers, workers to face healthcare ‘affordability crunch,’ Mercer warns

A “sharp growth” in prescription drug spending, including pricey GLP-1 weight-loss medications, helped fuel the increase.

DEI divide: Where do we go from here?

Recent SHRM moves and related research may hold answers about the future of DEI.

Pay equity, barrier analysis remain ‘very legal’ ways to advance DEI, experts say

As DEI is increasingly politicized, HR still has some low-hanging fruit available.

‘Treat ICE like a vampire’ — and 5 more tips for dealing with law enforcement at work

Every employer should devise a response plan, a former DHS attorney said Friday at an American Bar Association event.

HR is ‘often sidelined’ when it comes to workplace AI transformation, Beamery says

Only 12% of respondents to a survey by the HR data vendor identified CHROs as among the most influential decision-makers on AI.

HVAC technician sues Trane for dispatching a woman to work with him

The plaintiff said it’s his deeply held religious belief that he shouldn’t work with a woman unless others are at the jobsite along with them.

‘Don’t take shortcuts’: 3 things that could put DEI programs in critics’ crosshairs

Employers need nuanced solutions to address DEI issues, experts said at the American Bar Association’s annual labor and employment law conference.

Daily AI users report more access to L&D resources than infrequent users

“Based on current trends, those who are already using AI look set to extend their lead over the rest of the workforce,” a PwC report said.

Employers stall on hiring as candidate interest slows, report says

“The firms that cut red tape and move top talent through quickly will own the market,” the head of talent acquisition insights at iCIMS said.

Employee fired for false expense report not entitled to severance pay, court rules

Lilly USA appropriately denied the claim under ERISA because its severance pay plan expressly excluded employees terminated for falsifying a report, a federal court held.

‘Lean on the law’: Attorneys urge employers to stay the course on DEI

Use Title VII and company values as your North Star, experts said at an employment law event Thursday.

EEOC kicks back into gear, settles harassment claims against chicken shop

An Arkansas restaurant operator ignored complaints against a shift manager, leading to even more complaints over the span of just a few months, the commission claimed.

Equal protection, elevated risk: How HR can prepare for an uptick in reverse discrimination claims

If your team has room for improvement in documentation, now is the time to make the necessary changes, writes Melanie Ronen, partner at Stradley Ronon.

IRS sets 401(k) annual contribution limit at $24,500 for 2026

Unlike last year, the agency also announced an increase to the contribution cap for individual retirement accounts.

‘Forever layoffs’ and RTO pressure: Employers hold the power again, Glassdoor says

That power isn’t necessarily exercised in loud or expansive moves but in quiet, consistent changes, the report showed.

Most executives say refusing to adopt AI poses bigger career threat to workers than AI itself

However, AI adoption will remain stalled without employee trust, training and defined benefits for workers, Kelly Services said.

The government’s reopening sounds a death knell for EEOC policies new and old

The agency’s newly installed Republican majority will be busy in the coming weeks, Commissioner Kalpana Kotagal, the lone Democrat on the commission, predicted Thursday.