Two months into the new year, federal labor agencies have announced significant regulatory changes that could reshape how your business engages staffing agencies, contractors, and gig workers.
On February 26, 2026, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”) formally reinstated its 2020 joint employer rule, while the U.S. Department of Labor (“DOL”) proposed returning to the
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In a novel decision, the New Jersey Supreme Court held in Rutgers v. AFSCME, Local 888, that the 2020 Title IX regulations preempted the grievance procedure in a collective bargaining agreement with a state university because the grievance procedure was in direct conflict with Title IX regulations. The decision tracks the well-known principle
A challenge by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (“CBIA”) to Connecticut’s so-called “captive audience” law failed when a federal court in Connecticut found that the CBIA lacked standing to bring the claim. The decision is a setback to those challenging the law, which bars mandatory employer meetings on political and religious topics.
The decision by
Arbitration clauses are everywhere in today’s workplace — but are they right for your organization?
In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, host Dan Schwartz is joined by Shipman attorney Emily McDonough Souza to break down arbitration agreements in plain English. They explore the real pros and cons: speed, privacy, predictability, cost concerns
In a significant decision for Connecticut employers, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in Del Rio v. Amazon.com Services, Inc. (SC 21109) that employees must be compensated for time spent undergoing mandatory security screenings on their employer’s premises. The unanimous decision establishes that Connecticut wage laws are more protective than federal law on this issue.
Massachusetts continues to be one of the most active and technical states for employment law compliance. In this episode of From Lawyer to Employer, host Dan Schwartz is joined by Shipman partner Jared Lucan to break down the most important developments impacting employers with Massachusetts-based employees (or operations spanning both Massachusetts and Connecticut).
They cover
On January 22, 2026, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission voted 2-1 to rescind its 2024 Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace effective immediately. The recission comes as no surprise, as Chair Andrea Lucas of the EEOC signaled her opposition to portions of the guidance almost a year ago. Although the development is technically
In this seasonal episode, host Dan Schwartz and Shipman partner Peter Murphy unpack the workplace risks that often accompany end-of-year celebrations — from alcohol service to harassment concerns to wage-and-hour pitfalls. They offer practical, proactive tips for planning inclusive, safe, and genuinely fun events while keeping legal risk in check. Whether you’re gearing up for
Massachusetts has finalized a new salary range transparency law, An Act Relative to Salary Range Transparency. If you have employees whose primary place of work is in Massachusetts, or you post roles that can be performed from Massachusetts or report to a Massachusetts worksite, this law changes how you advertise jobs and how you share