Company’s inability to explain one manager’s firing over another keeps FMLA claim alive

Comparators can make or break many types of employment lawsuits, including those involving protected leave.

By Emilie Shumway • Sept. 3, 2026

This week in 5 numbers: The right personality could make up for a skills gap

Here’s a roundup of numbers from the last week — including how many work-related jams HR Dive compiled for readers to listen to this Labor Day weekend.

By Ginger Christ • Sept. 3, 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

4th Circuit backs worker who cited the Bible in abstaining from COVID vaccine policy

Federal courts have closely scrutinized the nature of plaintiffs’ religious beliefs in challenges to employers’ COVID-19 vaccination mandates.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 2, 2026

Cotopaxi repays workers at Taiwan mills for predatory recruitment fees

The outdoor apparel and accessories brand has been working to remediate unethical recruitment practices initially identified at two fabric mills in 2024.

By Kelly Stroh • Sept. 2, 2026

Former Golden State Warriors employees allege retaliation for engagement survey responses

The plaintiffs said they “encountered a workplace marked by discrimination, hostility, and retaliation,” while GSW said the allegations were “without merit.”

By Ginger Christ • Sept. 2, 2026

EEOC wants to end demographic reporting. Smart companies won’t stop measuring.

As the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission moves to end demographic data reporting, employers must decide if data collection is a matter of compliance or leadership, Catalyst leaders say.

By Jennifer McCollum and Laurie Henneborn • Sept. 2, 2026

Manager who demanded doctor’s note on New Year’s Eve was not reasonable, EEOC says

A Family Dollar store manager demanded a pregnant worker produce a doctor’s note the same holiday evening she was told via phone to take a few days’ leave from work, a complaint alleged.

By Emilie Shumway • Sept. 1, 2026

Worker fired shortly after turning 60 sues for age bias

The former employee of Southern Company Services alleged a supervisor had said there were “too many people over 60” and that those over 60 “get sick.”

By Emilie Shumway • Sept. 1, 2026

California ban on workplace AI emotion surveillance heads to Newsom’s desk

If passed, the bill also would prohibit the collection of an employee’s “neural data.”

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 31, 2026

Settled: 8 lawsuits that ended in payouts in August

The settlements ranged from $75,000 to $21.5 million, court records show.

By Ginger Christ • Aug. 31, 2026

The Washington Post-Karen Attiah saga raises questions about worker social media policies

An arbitrator ordered the Post to reinstate Attiah and provide back pay after firing her for social media posts. Here’s what HR can learn from the situation.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 31, 2026

Your employees completed compliance training. Can they apply it when it matters?

New Go1 research reveals where compliance confidence and real-world readiness diverge.

Aug. 31, 2026

White HR worker gets partial win in reverse bias lawsuit against polling firm

Among other claims, the plaintiff alleged she was excluded from a company-organized diversity, equity and inclusion webinar described as “not for [W]hite folks.”

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 28, 2026

This week in 5 numbers: Healthcare costs per employee could exceed $19K next year

Here’s a roundup of numbers from the last week — including how much time The New York Times wants a court to give the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to fulfill a records request.

By Ginger Christ • Aug. 27, 2026

DOL, other agencies address questions about wellness program surcharges

Aspects of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act that were once seen as “settled” continue to be challenged, an attorney told HR Dive.

By Caroline Colvin • Aug. 27, 2026

Pearson settles claims that workers with visual impairments couldn’t access training, benefits platforms

Accessibility “cannot be an afterthought” when an employer uses online systems for such purposes, an EEOC attorney said.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 27, 2026

SHRM tentatively backs end of EEO-1 reports, but investor group calls them ‘vital’

The pair of public comments pushes back against EEOC’s assertion that the data collection program is overly burdensome.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 26, 2026

Deloitte to pay $21.5M to settle claims its DEI programs violated federal civil rights law

“Government contractors cannot reward or penalize employees based on race or sex,” the attorney general said.

By Ginger Christ • Aug. 26, 2026

4th Circuit dismisses some charges against Wells Fargo after jury’s $22.1M fee

Although the appeals court dismissed three of four charges following a worker’s disability trial, in affirming the fourth charge, it allowed him to retain most of his award.

By Emilie Shumway • Aug. 25, 2026

New York Times presses EEOC for White bias records in FOIA lawsuit

The media giant alleged the agency has dragged its feet and ignored the Times’ inquiries about when its requests for information will be met.

By Emilie Shumway • Aug. 25, 2026

United’s retention of harassing pilot may have been criminally negligent, judge finds

The airline allegedly learned of a police investigation into a pilot’s distribution of a worker’s intimate images in April 2024 but didn’t act until his arrest later that year.

By Emilie Shumway • Aug. 24, 2026

Feds to propose H-1B fee that would stack with controversial $100K payment

Employers should expect litigation against the new fee once it is finalized, a source told HR Dive, similar to what occurred after last year’s fee was announced by President Donald Trump.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 24, 2026

EFAA covers claims that emerge during an arbitration proceeding, 9th Circuit says

The parties in the case conducted arbitration proceedings for a full year — but that fact alone can’t prevent plaintiffs from seeking arbitration exemption, the court held.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 24, 2026

Beyond flexibility: Why partnership is becoming the new standard in HR services

Today's employers expect more from their HR partner. See why trust, accountability and co-employment are redefining the HR services landscape.

By Jim Neve • Aug. 24, 2026

Feds axe contractor affirmative action requirements in trio of final rules

The documents follow up on one of President Donald Trump’s first orders that sought to alter the federal government’s antidiscrimination enforcement work.

By Ryan Golden • Aug. 21, 2026