Social Security Administration Closes EEO Office

On February 26, 2025   /   Discrimination, Employment Law, Federal Employment, Federal RIF, Trump Administration  
Social Security Administration Closes EEO Office

In a shocking development, the Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced the closure of the Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity. As part of its decision, the agency has reportedly placed 100 employees on administrative leave for 30 days pending termination. The SSA has confirmed that the office’s primary functions of processing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaints and handling reasonable accommodation requests will be redistributed to other SSA divisions, in compliance with statutory requirements.

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President Trump Fires EEOC Commissioners, Agency Continues Investigations

On January 29, 2025   /   EEOC, Employment Law   /   Leave a comment
President Trump Fires EEOC Commissioners, Agency Continues Investigations

President Trump made an unprecedented move to fire two Democratic commissioners, Jocelyn Samuels and Commission Chair Charlotte Burrows, of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), on January 27, 2025, in an apparent effort introduce partisan bias into the agency’s decision making. The move also stalls policy making at the agency. Without three sitting members, the commission does not have a quorum, and the EEOC cannot move forward on any policy changes until successors are

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Mass Email Asks Federal Employees to Commit to a “Reformed” Workforce, or Resign

On January 29, 2025   /   Employment Law   /   Leave a comment
Mass Email Asks Federal Employees to Commit to a “Reformed” Workforce, or Resign

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has sent a mass email to federal employees, outlining an option for voluntary resignation with pay through September 30, 2025. According to OPM, employees interested in the offer were instructed to respond directly to the email to indicate their intent to resign. Federal employees who choose to resign by February 6th would qualify for the “severance” package. However, not all employees are eligible. Agency heads will determine certain

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States Lead in New AI Regulation

On June 24, 2024   /   Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI  
States Lead in New AI Regulation

With no federal plan in place to guide AI regulation or oversight, states have begun tackling the matter by drawing from the European Union’s (EU) regulatory framework, which establishes a risk-based approach for regulating AI systems and activities. In May, Governor Jared Polis signed the Colorado AI Act, which places new requirements on AI systems. The new law, which takes effect in 2026, impacts AI developers and deployers – including businesses and employers that require

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Will AI Replace You in Five Years?

On June 24, 2024   /   Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI  
Will AI Replace You in Five Years?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries at an unprecedented rate, raising concerns about its potential to replace many human jobs within the next five years. According to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the speed of integration of AI into the workplace could pose significant risks, including job displacement in every industry and profession. Workers whose roles are heavily based on repetitive and diagnostic tasks are at high risk of displacement by AI systems, as well

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The New FTC Noncompete Ban: A Guide for Employees

On May 24, 2024   /   Employment Law, Federal Trade Commission, Non-Compete Agreement, Non-Compete Agreement  
The New FTC Noncompete Ban: A Guide for Employees

In a recent landmark vote, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) banned nearly all existing and future noncompete agreements. The FTC has long argued that binding noncompete agreements are an unfair method of competition under Section 5 of the FTC Act.  For employees, understanding the details of this new regulation and knowing the necessary steps to take is crucial, as the new rule will significantly reshape the employment landscape. Who Will Be Affected? The FTC’s ban

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New Supreme Court Decision Upholds “Staying” Cases Subject to Arbitration

On May 24, 2024   /   Arbitration, Supreme Court  

The Supreme Court’s recent decision in Smith v. Spizzirri clarifies how courts should handle lawsuits in matters that are subject to mandatory arbitration.  Under Section 3 of the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), if any lawsuit involving an issue covered by a written arbitration agreement is brought in a U.S. court, the court must, upon request by one of the parties, stay the trial until the arbitration is completed. In Spizzirri, the high court held that

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