Compliance Stuff

As we move further into 2025, the employment law landscape continues to evolve rapidly, driven by significant regulatory changes and emerging workplace dynamics. For employers and counsel, staying ahead of these trends is crucial for effectively advising clients and mitigating risks. Here are the key employment law trends to watch in 2025: Regulatory Shifts Under the New Administration The new presidential administration has brought a wave of changes, particularly through executive orders and agency actions. T he focus has shifted toward reducing federal oversight and regulatory burdens on businesses. However, states are stepping in to fill the gaps, potentially increasing enforcement at the state level. This dual dynamic requires employers to stay vigilant and compliant with both federal and state regulations. EEOC’s Evolving Priorities The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has undergone significant leadership changes, impacting its enforcement priorities. The EEOC is now...

It is no surprise that businesses are seeking ways to utilize AI to increase efficiency, including developing automated decision-making systems to assist in hiring and promotion processes. The California Civil Rights Council is actively working on new laws to address potential employment discrimination based on protected characteristics when using AI in personnel decisions. This includes considerations of whether facially neutral factors ( e.g. , criminal history) may still constitute discrimination. On February 7, 2025, the Civil Rights Council published its  second round of modifications  to proposed employment regulations regarding automated decision systems. For employers in the process of implementing AI to make personnel decisions, here are some notable changes to keep in mind: The new definition of an "agent" has been expanded to include any person acting on behalf of an employer, directly or indirectly, to exercise a function traditionally exercised by the employer o...