💼New H-1B Visa Entry Restrictions Due to Labor Market Abuse
Proclamation 10973 addresses the abuse of the H-1B visa program, highlighting its impact on American workers and national security. It mandates new restrictions on nonimmigrant worker entries, especially for specialty occupations, requiring a significant payment from employers to ensure compliance and to prioritize high-skilled, high-paid foreign workers.
Learn More🐾Proposed FTC Consent Order Against Gateway Services on Noncompete Agreements
The consent agreement in this matter settles alleged violations of Federal law prohibiting unfair methods of competition. The attached Analysis of Agreement Containing Consent Orders to Aid Public Comment describes both the allegations in the complaint and the terms of the consent order--embodied in the consent agreement--that would settle these allegations.
Learn More⚖️Withdrawal of Proposed Rule on Employment of Workers with Disabilities
The Department of Labor (Department) is withdrawing its notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published on December 4, 2024 (89 FR 96466), which proposed to amend 29 CFR part 525 to phase out the issuance of subminimum wage certificates under section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). With this action, the Department is formally discontinuing the rulemaking process and removing the proposal from further consideration.
Learn More🪖Proposed Rule Modifications for Veteran Employment Regulations
The U.S. Department of Labor is proposing to revise its implementing regulations for the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, as amended, 38 U.S.C. 4212. The proposed revisions will better align the regulations with recent case law and executive orders, including Executive Order 14173, "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," and Executive Order 14219, "Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President's `Department of Government Efficiency' Deregulatory Initiative."
Learn More🗂️Selective Service System Notice on Privacy Act Records Modification
Pursuant to the provisions of the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, the Selective Service System (SSS) is issuing a public notice of its intent to modify a Privacy Act System of Records titled, "Reasonable Accommodation, Religious Exception, and Medical Exception Health Records." This System of Records notice (SORN) describes Selective Service's collection, maintenance, and use of records related to requests for reasonable accommodation under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 or the applicable provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act as applied to the Federal Government through the Rehabilitation Act and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. This newly modified system will be included in the SSS inventory of record systems.
Learn More📄Analyze Executive Order on Strengthening Federal Probationary Periods
Executive Order 14284 mandates improvements in the assessment of Federal employees during probationary periods. It aims to enhance workforce efficiency by ensuring agencies actively evaluate and confirm the suitability of new appointees, thereby optimizing the Federal workforce dedicated to public interests. The order initiates a new Civil Service Rule XI and repeals ineffective regulations, ensuring agencies can take decisive actions as needed.
Learn More⚖️Executive Order 14281 on Disparate Impact Liability Reform
Executive Order 14281 emphasizes restoring equality of opportunity and meritocracy in the United States by eliminating disparate-impact liability. It argues such liability undermines business integrity and national values, directing agencies to revoke previous regulations and review current investigations related to this issue.
Learn More🚻Executive Order on Gender Ideology and Biological Sex Recognition
Executive Order 14168 seeks to uphold biological definitions of sex, rejecting gender ideology within federal policies. It outlines comprehensive definitions and mandates agencies to revise documents and regulations accordingly. Key focuses include privacy in intimate spaces, enforcement of sex-based rights, and the prohibition of funding for gender ideology, aiming to protect women and uphold biological truths in federal governance.
Learn More⚖️MSPB's Proposal for Reasonable Accommodation Information Collection
The U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, intends to request approval of a new information collection from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. MSPB is submitting this Information Collection Request (ICR), entitled Accommodation Request Form, OMB Control No. 3124-0NEW, for approval in accordance with Federal regulations, and is requesting public comments. This collection was developed as part of MSPB's effort to streamline the process for collecting information from employees and applicants to MSPB, as well as participants in MSPB functions (parties and/or participants in MSPB appeals, respondents to surveys, and all other individuals engaged in activity conducted by the MSPB), who seek a reasonable accommodation in order for MSPB to carry out its functions with respect to these individuals. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment preceding submission of the collection to OMB.
Learn More📋EEOC Final Rule on Recordkeeping and Exemption Requirements
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC" or "Commission") is issuing a final rule amending its regulations regarding recordkeeping and reporting requirements to delegate authority for making determinations on hardship exemption applications, to set forth the procedure for applying for exemptions, and to provide a non-exhaustive list of criteria for considering exemption applications.
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