‘Why haven’t you retired?’: Railroader gets $1.6M in age bias win

Norfolk Southern declared the employee in his mid-60s unfit for duty despite multiple medical clearances and successful completion of two physical evaluations, he alleged.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 16, 2026

Restaurant chain to pay $3M to settle EEOC allegations of rampant sexual harassment

The agency learned of at least 100 women negatively affected by the work environment at California-based Il Fornaio’s multiple locations, an EEOC attorney said.

By Laurel Kalser • Oct. 16, 2026

Explore the Trendline➔

Inside the rapidly changing world of compliance

The HR landscape is ever-shifting, leaving compliance professionals to meet today’s requirements while keeping an eye on the future.

By HR Dive staff

Time spent waiting to work is compensable if required, appeals court rules

Lidl employees can continue with their allegations they were required to report to work but couldn’t clock in until a manager unlocked the store.

By Kate Tornone • Oct. 14, 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

SHRM loses service dog trial, owes former job applicant $400K

While SHRM strongly decried the decision and said it was considering an appeal, attorneys for the plaintiff vowed to “vigorously defend” the judgment.

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 13, 2026

Roofer sues after allegedly being told ‘no one pays overtime in construction work’

While it is common for certain salaried workers to be exempt from the FLSA’s overtime requirement, blue-collar workers are nonexempt.

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 13, 2026

Noncompete agreements may not do what they’re supposed to do

A recent study found that including this restriction in a contract not only makes it difficult to hire workers, it also does not prevent information leaks.

By Lara Ewen • Oct. 13, 2026

Whole Foods defeats bias suit after catching plaintiff faking time records

A federal judge cited the company’s investigation of video recordings in which the worker immediately left the worksite after clocking in to work.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 12, 2026

FedEx worker’s 6 harassment reports not protected by Title VII, 5th Circuit says

The plaintiff’s allegations of bullying, aggressive and passive aggressive behavior don’t automatically rise to the level of discrimination, the court held.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 12, 2026

Company’s male-only job openings lead to $500K settlement with EEOC

The commission has repeatedly challenged hiring policies that exclude applicants because of their sex and employers that retaliate against HR professionals for hiring women.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 12, 2026

EEOC’s FY 2026 was ‘historically anemic’ but big on messaging

As FY 2027 kicks off, a partner at Seyfarth Shaw said he expects to see EEOC keep its attention on Trump administration priorities that have risen to the fore.

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 9, 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

DHS proposes $70K fee for initial Optional Practical Training participation

Colleges would be on the hook for up to $100,000 in fees for each international student seeking to participate.

By Natalie Schwartz • Oct. 9, 2026

US authorities crack down on IT outsourcing

Federal authorities suspended Microsoft, Adobe and other big names in the tech space from the permanent labor certification program on Thursday.

By Matt Ashare • Oct. 9, 2026

AAUP gets order over Jewish employee records at Penn ‘off the books’

Although the Trump administration backed off a subpoena, the faculty group won an appeal vacating a court order that instructed the university to comply.

By Ben Unglesbee • Oct. 8, 2026

EEOC moves to rescind conviction and arrest record guidance from 2012

While the EEOC may be rescinding the guidance, employers should not necessarily change their approach, an attorney warned.

By Caroline Colvin • Oct. 8, 2026

Supreme Court sidesteps employment law cases on disability bias, vaccines

Appeals courts have taken up several issues that the justices have so far refused to weigh in on during the new term.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 7, 2026

SHRM service dog trial begins — with plaintiff’s dog by her side

The HR giant’s second jury trial in under a year is a reminder that “how you react matters so very much,” Ashley Herd, former co-host of the HR Besties podcast, told HR Dive.

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 6, 2026

The ADA’s interactive process: Key principles for HR professionals

A recent appeals court opinion provides a reminder of the importance of getting the basics right.

By Jessica Thaller-Moran and Lauren Hoffman • Oct. 6, 2026

Miami furniture store will pay $1.3M to settle charge it favored Hispanic applicants

EEOC significantly ramped up its enforcement of national origin and race discrimination claims in fiscal year 2026, including some alleging majority-group discrimination.

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 6, 2026

Transgender former EEOC employee may proceed with bias lawsuit, judge says

The allegations plausibly showed that the commission, under the leadership of Chair Andrea Lucas, maintained a hostile work environment, according to the decision.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 5, 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

How to pay international contractors without losing money to cross-border fees

Curious how the fee and settlement math actually works across different corridors and currencies?

By Vivek Shankar • Oct. 5, 2026

Firm settles EEOC charge that it let Indian staff work remotely, but not US employees

Determinations on remote work should not be based on an employee’s race or national origin, a director for the agency said.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 2, 2026

EEOC takes aim at trans rights in investigations involving ‘biological’ pronouns, single-sex spaces

Recent litigation actions from the agency demonstrate a new strategy for the administration on fighting “gender ideology.”

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 2, 2026