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EEOC Increases Pressure on DEI Programs

On February 4, 2026, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed suit against Nike in the Eastern District of Missouri, claiming the company had not complied with the agency’s requests for information in its investigation that it discriminated against white employees and applicants. The case was filed in Missouri because the EEOC’s St. Louis office […]

EEO Reporting Deadline Has Passed for Massachusetts Employers: What to Know If You Missed It 

The Massachusetts Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) workforce data reporting deadline of February 2 – established by the Wage Transparency Act that became effective in 2025- has now passed. Covered employers were required to file their EEO reports with the secretary of the commonwealth by that date. Employers who met the deadline should retain confirmation of their submission for their records. Those who did not file on time […]

Trump Administration Expands Politicization of Civil Service

The Trump administration announced a final rule creating a new category of federal workers who would have fewer job protections and be easier to fire. The new rule implements an Executive Order from 2025 that could diminish or eliminate venerated due process protections for 50,000 employees at federal agencies. The creation of the new category […]

Even With Accommodations, Essential Functions are Required Under ADA

The U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals (whose rulings apply to all West Virginia employers) has been busy deciding Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accommodation cases this year. In at least two cases, it found that the employees were not protected by the ADA with regard to discrimination and failure-to-accommodate claims because they were not […]

HRDA Frankly Speaking: The Silent Feedback

As HR professionals, and really as people, we opt to be nice and polite when dealing with anything in the workplace. But what happens when that blanket “agreeable”-ness produces a stagnant and stale environment instead of something productive? When the status quo becomes more harm than good, how can you break the mold? Amira Barger, […]

Leading in a “Human Plus” World: 9 Actionable Takeaways from LinkedIn’s Director of Talent Development

As the Director of Talent Development at LinkedIn, Dr. Chrissy Roth-Francis currently oversees the growth of 3,000 leaders. She is at the forefront of a major cultural shift: the “Human Plus” future. Ahead of her sessions at SPARK HR 2026, HR Daily Advisor sat down with Dr. Roth-Francis to discuss how HR professionals and people leaders […]

DOL Clarifies Travel To and From Medical Appointments is FMLA Protected

The Department of Labor (DOL) rang in the new year with some new guidance for employers covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This time, the DOL addressed whether an employee’s travel to and from medical appointments qualified as FMLA-protected time. Example Scenario An employee who works from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. […]

When Fairness Meets Finance: The New Reality of People Decisions 

People decisions are some of the most scrutinized decisions organizations make. Pay adjustments, promotions, bonuses, and headcount choices are no longer quiet HR moments, they are visible, questioned, and often challenged. Employees expect fairness and transparency. Finance leaders expect discipline and predictability. Managers are asked to balance empathy, accountability, and cost often all at once.  This shift matters because it […]

The New Reality of Worksite Enforcement: Navigating I-9 and E-Verify Shifts in 2026 

For many HR and compliance leaders, the past year has been a lesson in volatility across the I-9 and E-Verify landscape. The speculation that defined early 2025 has given way to a more dynamic environment where the risks of I-9 errors and potential liability are increasingly tangible. From the return of visible worksite enforcement to […]

At Public Meeting, FTC Indicated Intent to Prosecute Unreasonable Noncompetes

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) held a half-day program on January 27, 2026, focused on employee noncompetes. The FTC indicated its intent to pursue prosecution of agreements that violate antitrust or otherwise inappropriately limit employee choice. However, the commission is not reproposing the prior rule banning all noncompetes. If workers have issues, the agency suggests […]