McDonald’s escapes class-action lawsuit for franchisees’ alleged PUMP Act violations

A federal district court dismissed PUMP Act claims against McDonald’s because the plaintiffs did not allege it directly employed them or knew about the alleged violations and failed to address their concerns.

By Laurel Kalser • Oct. 14, 2025

Newsom vetoes ‘No Robo Bosses Act,’ calling it ‘unfocused’ and ‘overly broad’

But the California governor did sign bills that expand eligibility for the state’s paid leave program and require employers to annually apprise workers of their rights.

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 14, 2025

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

Back to Basics: How to find and fix FMLA abuse without harming employee rights

Employers can be assertive and proactive about leave misuse without being too rash, an attorney told HR Dive.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 10, 2025

Black worker’s use of anti-Black slur not protected under Title VII, judge holds

Such a concept would be “impossible” for employers to apply, according to the decision.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 10, 2025

David Keeling confirmed as new head of OSHA

The former Amazon and UPS safety executive takes on the role as the agency is expected to advance a heat safety regulation.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 10, 2025

IBM can’t avoid arbitrating former worker’s age bias charge, court says

The employee signed a separation agreement that appeared to cut short his legal statute of limitations, but such rights are not waivable, a Massachusetts court determined.

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 10, 2025

This week in 5 numbers: EEOC records lowest litigation rate in a decade

Here’s a roundup of numbers from the last week of HR news — including how many employers report disciplining workers over social media posts.

By Ginger Christ • Oct. 9, 2025

HR business partner at ComEd can’t move forward with bias claims, court says

The lawsuit’s dismissal is the latest argument for standardized interview criteria and detailed note-taking.

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 8, 2025

6th Circuit OKs disabled driver’s firing for painting graffiti on customers’ goods

Courts have said that knowledge of an employee’s disability is not enough to show pretext for discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 8, 2025

White manager, Walmart agree to dismiss lawsuit alleging DEI policy led to termination

The plaintiff invoked the Civil Rights Act of 1866, a 159-year-old piece of legislation that is gaining traction in “reverse discrimination” cases.

By Emilie Shumway • Updated March 11, 2026

Brittany Panuccio confirmed by Senate as commissioner, restoring EEOC quorum

EEOC has operated with only two commissioners since January, when President Donald Trump fired Democratic commissioners Charlotte Burrows and Jocelyn Samuels.

By Ginger Christ • Oct. 7, 2025

EEOC’s last year marked by record-low litigation, shifting priorities

While few lawsuits raised eyebrows this year, a quorum on the horizon could bring a range of controversial complaints from the agency — including discrimination based on DEI programs.

By Emilie Shumway • Oct. 7, 2025

Countdown is on for employers to comply with California’s ‘stringent’ AI regulations

The rules will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026, and will likely be the most restrictive in the country, Littler attorneys say.

By Ginger Christ • Oct. 7, 2025

What HR should watch as the Supreme Court begins its new term

The high court has so far agreed to hear two employment-related cases — and it could soon revisit a few hot-button issues.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 6, 2025

California lawsuit challenges Trump’s H-1B visa fee

The president’s Sept. 19 proclamation “caused a widespread panic” among employers and exceeded his authority, the plaintiffs alleged.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 6, 2025

South Carolina staffing firm faces EEOC ire over male-only hiring

Staffing agencies can end up in hot water for perpetuating recruiter biases, repeated cases show.

By Caroline Colvin • Oct. 6, 2025

DOL clarifies overtime pay requirements in new opinion letters

The second batch of wage-and-hour letters released during the second Trump administration addressed a joint employer scenario as well as firefighter emergency pay.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 3, 2025

Why do employees organize and join a union? Littler data has insight.

Employers may underestimate the willingness of workers to join a union, Littler said in its annual labor report. Here’s what HR should know. 

By Caroline Colvin • Oct. 2, 2025

Amazon, Apple, Meta probed by Senate panel over H-1B visa hiring

The debate over H-1B visas is heating up after President Donald Trump imposed a $100,000 fee on new petitioners, citing “systemic abuse” of the program.

By Alexei Alexis • Oct. 2, 2025

How the government shutdown will affect HR

Employers should expect suspension of key functions at agencies like the EEOC and the DOL until lawmakers come to an agreement.

By Ryan Golden • Oct. 1, 2025

EEOC sues Apple for allegedly discriminating, retaliating against a Jewish worker

The lawsuit is the latest in a series of religious accommodation complaints filed by the agency, demonstrating the Trump administration’s priorities.

By Ginger Christ • Oct. 1, 2025

California State University faces systemwide EEOC probe over antisemitism concerns

The federal agency has begun contacting faculty and staff members to “review allegations of antisemitism,” Chancellor Mildred García told the system. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Sept. 30, 2025

Questions linger in the wake of Trump’s $100K H-1B visa proclamation

The lack of clarity around how and when the fee will be paid — and who must pay it — means employers don’t have a straightforward path ahead, an attorney told HR Dive.

By Emilie Shumway • Sept. 30, 2025

Court denies rehearing of Title VII secular preferences case

A panel of the 9th Circuit had held that the plaintiff's religious exemption request from a vaccine mandate was based on "personal and secular" preferences rather than a religious belief.

By Ryan Golden • Updated April 15, 2026

6 things HR should know about intermittent FMLA leave

Above all, it’s important for employers to maintain a sincere, employee-centered approach, said Littler Mendelson’s Jeff Nowak.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 29, 2025