‘This is not a new story’: Legal professionals expect tide to turn on DEI

The idea that diversity, equity and inclusion is a short-lived trend ignores history and legal reality, according to speakers at an American Bar Association conference.

By Ryan Golden • Nov. 9, 2026

Week in review: Employment growth hits unexpected high after months of tepid gains

We’re rounding up last week’s stories, including the impact of Grand Theft Auto VI’s release and religious accommodation for artificial intelligence tool use.

By Kathryn Moody • Nov. 6, 2026

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A deep dive into DEI

Staying thoughtful and engaged regarding DEI topics — as well as listening to employees — can help employers meet goals and retain people.

By HR Dive staff

Election Day 2026 sees states sound off on abortion, gender identity and unions

The success of some down-the-ballot measures translates to an even more complicated legal landscape for employers.

By Ryan Golden • Updated 3 hours ago

EEO-1’s end may not alter much. The data’s value ‘was never limited to compliance.’

The strongest organizations use data as a diagnostic tool by looking for patterns, asking questions and making improvements where needed, one source told HR Dive.

By Caroline Colvin • Nov. 4, 2026

Inside the Supreme Court case that could decide Title IX employee protections

This month, the high court will hear arguments on whether higher education workers have the right to sue their institutions for sex-based discrimination.

By David Weisenfeld • Nov. 3, 2026

How to make factory space for workers with disabilities

People with disabilities represent one of the largest talent pools manufactuers underutilize, experts said during a Manufacturing Institute webinar.

By Sara Samora • Nov. 2, 2026

Yale New Haven Hospital can’t ditch lawsuit over age-biased physician test

The discrimination lawsuit, which alleged YNH physicians over 70 years old were subjected to certain competency tests, was cleared for trial on Friday.

By Caroline Colvin • Oct. 26, 2026

Judge declines to block Trump’s March anti-DEI order for federal contractors

The ruling rejected plaintiffs’ constitutional arguments but said that the directive only pertains to conduct that is “already prohibited by federal law.”

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 16, 2026

More ‘even-handed’: Understanding EEOC’s direction on national origin bias

Under Trump 2.0, the agency has shifted its focus to anti-American bias rather than discrimination against immigrants.

By Caroline Colvin • Oct. 14, 2026

Women fall through the cracks at work, especially on boards, report says

Continued analysis of gender representation on corporate boards corroborates previous findings on the clock winding back for women at work.

By Caroline Colvin • Oct. 12, 2026

EEOC obtains $23K for Muslim barista denied accommodation for Ramadan

A manager at New York’s Hungry Ghost Coffee allegedly refused to let the barista swap shifts so he could honor his religious practice of fasting, the lawsuit said.

By Laurel Kalser • Oct. 9, 2026

EEOC votes to rescind Obama-era conviction and arrest record guidance

The rule rescinds guidance from 2012 that outlined best practices for employers screening job applicants with any kind of criminal history.

By Caroline Colvin • Updated Oct. 30, 2026

Gallup finds both parties more bullish on DEI. What does this mean for HR?

People across the political spectrum increasingly see the benefits of DEI in the workplace, including for profitability.

By Caroline Colvin • Oct. 7, 2026

Settled: 7 lawsuits employers resolved in September

Two high-profile employers paid millions last month to end lawsuits alleging that their diversity, equity and inclusion programs were discriminatory.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 5, 2026

AI might be making women sound less sophisticated

A study out of Johns Hopkins found that chatbots prompted with “woman-associated language” produced responses that were less complex than men’s.

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 1, 2026

With the iced coffee debate, Gen Z cultural differences come to a head

Experts have observed several factors that make Generation Z poised to behave differently at work than previous generations.

By Caroline Colvin • Sept. 30, 2026

Ollie’s Bargain Outlet allegedly refused to hire deaf worker, required ‘ability to hear regularly’

This case is one of several involving deaf job candidates that highlights the danger of assumptions about ability.

By Caroline Colvin • Updated Sept. 25, 2026

Older workers can struggle to showcase their true skills on freelancing platforms

As the workforce ages, HR may need to go the extra mile to connect with talent that has the skills they need.

By Caroline Colvin • Sept. 22, 2026

The wage gap is definitively widening, especially for Black women, study finds

These National Women’s Law Center findings come amid sustained unemployment for Black women, catalyzed by 2025 federal worker cuts. 

By Caroline Colvin • Sept. 21, 2026

Why aren’t women applying? It may be due to a lack of representation.

In an Emory University study, women survey-takers seemed discouraged from applying for jobs that were perceived as lacking gender diversity.

By Caroline Colvin • Sept. 21, 2026

Starbucks, Florida AG ink deal to end lawsuit over alleged illegal DEI practices

Attorney General James Uthmeier alleged that the coffee chain excluded or disfavored nonminorities in a lawsuit that mirrored recent federal enforcement activity.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 18, 2026

Ignoring a doctor’s note can be costly, EEOC reminds employers

Employers should “leave the work of identifying pregnancy-related risks and limitations to qualified medical professionals,” the agency said in conciliating two separate cases.

By Caroline Colvin • Sept. 17, 2026

Veterans caught in the middle on anti-DEI efforts, research says

The veteran cause typically attracts bipartisan support, but President Donald Trump’s anti-DEI agenda may have hurt veteran well-being overall, Rand researchers determined. 

By Caroline Colvin • Sept. 16, 2026

Alleged DEI-motivated hirings and promotions cost Accenture $25M in DOJ settlement

The U.S. Department of Justice said certain candidates were highlighted to leadership and directed into a “pipeline” due to their race and sex characteristics.

By Emilie Shumway • Sept. 15, 2026

Week in review: Leaders might lose know-how by relying on AI

We’re rounding up last week’s stories, including the percentage of HR leaders who said they’ve considered leaving their jobs in the past year.

By Kathryn Moody • Sept. 14, 2026