EEOC Report Reveals Gender and Ethnic Disparities in Federal Workforce

On January 5, 2024   /   EEOC, Employment Law   /   Leave a comment
EEOC Report Reveals Gender and Ethnic Disparities in Federal Workforce

A federal agency has released a set of comprehensive reports focusing on the status of women in the federal government. The reports from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) explore the experiences of American Indian and Alaskan Native, African American, and Hispanic and Latina women to offer critical insights into their representation, career progression, and compensation within the federal sector.  Analyzing data from fiscal year 2020 (FY2020) , the reports compare the participation, retention, advancement, and

Read More... →
Back to Top

New Bill Would Provide Greater Protections for Older Employees

On January 3, 2024   /   ADEA & Age Discrimination, Discrimination, Employment Law   /   Leave a comment
New Bill Would Provide Greater Protections for Older Employees

The U.S. House of Representatives recently introduced a bill that aims to bolster protections against age-related workplace discrimination. The Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act of 2023 (POWADA) would amend the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA) to foster a more equitable and age-inclusive work environment. The bill would re-establish the traditional burden of proof standard for age discrimination claims in the workplace.  The ADEA prohibits discriminatory practices throughout the employment process, from hiring and

Read More... →
Back to Top

New NLRB Decision Makes it Harder for Employers to Classify Workers as Independent Contractors

On June 15, 2023   /   Employment Law, NLRB   /   Leave a comment
New NLRB Decision Makes it Harder for Employers to Classify Workers as Independent Contractors

In a recent decision, in Atlanta Opera Inc., the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) returned to the 2014 FedEx Home Delivery (FedEx II) standard for determining independent contractor status under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).  This decision overturns the SuperShuttle ruling from 2019 and establishes that makeup artists, wig artists, and hairstylists working at the Atlanta Opera are considered covered employees, rather than independent contractors.  The Board’s decision reinforces the use of common law factors in determining employment status

Read More... →
Back to Top

EEOC Unveils “Level the Paying Field” Campaign to Promote Equal Pay

On June 14, 2023   /   EEOC, Employment Law   /   Leave a comment
EEOC Unveils “Level the Paying Field” Campaign to Promote Equal Pay

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has launched a social media video campaign called “Level the Paying Field,” in commemoration of the anniversary of the Equal Pay Act of 1963 on June 10. The campaign, which will run from June 9 to August 20, coincides with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, set to begin on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand. The objective of the campaign is to draw attention to the

Read More... →
Back to Top

New York Senate Passes Non-Compete Agreement Prohibitions

On June 12, 2023   /   Employment Law, Non-Compete Agreement   /   Leave a comment
New York Senate Passes Non-Compete Agreement Prohibitions

The New York State Senate has successfully passed a bill that aims to prohibit the use of non-compete agreements within the state to safeguard every employee’s future employment opportunities. The bill, S.3100A, if signed into law, will effectively curb employers from imposing restrictions that hinder their employees’ mobility, without unduly impeding businesses from protecting proprietary information through alternative means such as confidentiality agreements and non-solicitation agreements. According to State Senator Sean Ryan, who has championed

Read More... →
Back to Top

Job Seekers who Embrace AI to Gain an Edge in Seeking Employment Should Tread Carefully

On June 9, 2023   /   Artificial Intelligence, Employment Law, Generative AI   /   Leave a comment
Job Seekers who Embrace AI to Gain an Edge in Seeking Employment Should Tread Carefully

In an era of technological advancements, job seekers are constantly seeking new ways to stand out in the competitive job market. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a game-changer, empowering job seekers to gain a significant edge in securing their dream job. From resume optimization to interview preparation and personalized job recommendations, AI is quickly impacting every aspect of the job search process.  With the advanced AI tools available today, employees searching for their next

Read More... →
Back to Top

Natalie Koss Wins Re-Election to D.C. Bar Board of Governors

On June 8, 2023   /   Employment Law, Uncategorized   /   Leave a comment

Natalie Koss, Managing Partner of Potomac Legal Group PLLC, has won re-election to a second three year term on the D.C. Bar Board of Governors. “Since 1972 the District of Columbia Bar has been enhancing access to justice, improving the legal system, and empowering lawyers to achieve excellence. It is the largest unified bar in the United States, with more than 115,000 members in all 50 states and over 80 countries and territories,” according to

Read More... →
Back to Top

EEOC Releases New Resource for Incorporating AI & Automated Systems into Employment Decisions

On May 19, 2023   /   Artificial Intelligence, Bias Audit, EEOC, Employment Law   /   Leave a comment
EEOC Releases New Resource for Incorporating AI & Automated Systems into Employment Decisions

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has published a comprehensive technical assistance document to address the growing concern of discrimination against job seekers and workers in relation to the use of automated systems, including those incorporating artificial intelligence, by employers. The EEOC, as the primary federal agency responsible for enforcing Title VII, seeks to ensure that these technologies align with civil rights laws and promote fairness, justice, and equality. The new publication, Assessing Adverse Impact

Read More... →
Back to Top

Two New California Initiatives Seek to Regulate AI in Employment Decisions

On May 17, 2023   /   Artificial Intelligence, Bias Audit, Employment Law   /   Leave a comment
Two New California Initiatives Seek to Regulate AI in Employment Decisions

The California State Assembly has introduced a new bill to regulate artificial intelligence systems. The proposal, A.B. 331, requires developers of AI systems to mitigate inherent bias within automated decision-making tools (ADTs). The bill seeks to regulate ADTs, which are used to make decisions on any type of eligibility for a benefit or penalty. While these systems have been traditionally used for credit decisions, their usage has expanded to employment screening, insurance eligibility, and health

Read More... →
Back to Top

Maryland Employment Law Updates: Minimum Wage, Time to Care Act & Non-Compete Agreement Limitations

On May 3, 2023   /   Employment Law, Family & Parental Leave, Maryland Employment Law, Non-Compete Agreement, Pregnancy Discrimination   /   Leave a comment
Maryland Employment Law Updates: Minimum Wage, Time to Care Act & Non-Compete Agreement Limitations

At the end of its recent session, the Maryland legislature passed two new pieces of employment legislation for Governor Wes Moore’s signature. In its long-running efforts to implement family leave, the legislature passed Senate Bill 828, which is a modification to the Time to Care Act that governs Maryland’s new Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program. The bill would delay the start date and make administrative changes to the program. The legislature also sought to

Read More... →
Back to Top