Labor and Employment Law Update

Welcome to the Labor and Employment Law Update where attorneys from SmithAmundsen blog about management side labor and employment issues. We cover topics including addressing harassment and discrimination in the workplace, developing labor law, navigating through ADA(AA), FMLA and workers’ compensation issues, avoiding wage and hour landmines, key legislative, case law and regulatory changes and much more! Learn more about our firm at www.salawus.com.

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court clarified in the case of Ames v. Ohio Dept. of Youth Services, that “the standard for proving disparate treatment under Title VII does not vary based on whether or not the plaintiff is a member of a majority group.” By unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, which applied a standard of proof that required workers in a “majority group” to meet a more rigorous burden than others who have historically faced discrimination. By removing these extra hurdles, the Supreme Court made it easier for employees who are in
Continue Reading Breaking News: U.S. Supreme Court Makes It Easier for Employees to Prove
“Reverse Discrimination”

In a 9-0 decision authored by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a ruling by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, which held that Catholic Charities Bureau Inc. (the “Charities) and its subsidiaries were not exempt from making payments to the state’s unemployment insurance program. The Wisconsin Court held that the group’s work was not religious. The U.S. Supreme Court held that denying the exemption violates the First Amendment
Continue Reading U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Catholic Charity’s Religious Exemption From
Wisconsin Unemployment Tax

On May 23, 2025, a federal court denied efforts to enjoin the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) from enforcing key provisions and amendments to the Illinois Day and Temporary Labor Services Act (the “Act”) that were signed into law by Governor Pritzker on August 9, 2024.
Continue Reading Staffing Agencies Take Note: Illinois Temporary Worker Equal Benefits
Mandate Withstands Legal Challenge

As government scrutiny of workplace immigration practices continues, employers need to be up-to-date with the latest compliance requirements to avoid legal penalties and costly litigation. Our recent webcast emphasizes why it is essential for businesses to have a clear, proactive plan in place before government agents show up unexpectedly and outlines best practices.
Continue Reading Top Takeaways – Immigration Compliance Updates: Key Legal Insights for U.S.
Employers in 2025

As modern workplaces grow increasingly diverse, employers must be prepared to accommodate employees’ religious practices and observations in a respectful, inclusive, and lawful manner. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (“Title VII”), requires employers with at least 15 employees to provide reasonable accommodations for an employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs, practices, or observances, unless doing so would create an undue hardship on the conduct of the employer’s business. This long-standing law is aimed at preventing employees from being forced to choose between their religious convictions and their job. 
Continue Reading Balancing Beliefs and Business: What Employers Need to Know About Religious
Accommodations in the Workplace

On April 10, 2025, a federal court in Texas issued an opinion in the case of Faulk Co. v. Becerra that significantly impacts how the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) employer mandate can be enforced. 
The ruling effectively prevents the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) from assessing penalties against employers that fail to provide affordable, minimum health insurance coverage to their employees as required by the ACA for companies with at least 50 full-time equivalent employees
Continue Reading Court Ruling Hamstrings IRS Enforcement of ACA Employer Mandate

As anticipated, the Missouri General Assembly passed House Bill 567 (H.B. 567), which repeals certain provisions of Proposition A—most notably, the entire Missouri paid sick time law. Governor Kehoe is expected to sign the bill into law in the coming days. Once signed, the paid sick time law will be repealed effective August 28, 2025.
Continue Reading Goodbye to Missouri’s Paid Sick Leave Law: State General Assembly Passes
Law to Repeal Sick Leave and Future Minimum Wage Increases

On April 21, 2025, a California Court of Appeal held employees working six hours or less in a single workday can prospectively waive their mandatory meal periods. The ruling provided clarification on a long-standing question: whether a meal period waiver must be executed each time an employee chooses to skip their break, or if a single, advance waiver is legally sufficient under California law.
Continue Reading California Court Affirms Employers Can Use Standing Meal Period Waiver for
Employees Working Six Hours or Less

On May 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced it is reconsidering the 2024 Independent Contractor Rule (2024 Rule), which made it more difficult for businesses to classify independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). This announcement signals the likelihood that the 2024 Rule will be rescinded under the new Trump Administration and may be replaced with a rule that applies a more business-friendly standard.
Continue Reading DOL’s Announcement Pausing Enforcement of 2024 Independent Contractor Rule
Signals Future Change to Come

On April 29, 2025, the Missouri Supreme Court issued an opinion upholding the state’s paid sick time law and significant increase in minimum wage, otherwise known as Proposition A. Consequently, the law went into full effect for most Missouri employers on May 1, 2025. Accordingly, Missouri employers must ensure they are compliant with Proposition A’s minimum wage increase and paid sick time requirements.
Continue Reading Missouri Supreme Court Upholds State’s Paid Sick Leave Law (Proposition A)

Today’s employment environment requires companies large and small to be deliberate when designing their compensation strategy. Our panelists presented a high-level overview of the options available to executive teams when designing compensation packages that align with key business goals and objectives. Read the top takeaways from this presentation. 
Continue Reading Key Takeaways – Beyond Sweat Equity: Modern Compensation Strategies for
Enhanced Engagement & Retention

In the wake the U.S. Supreme Court’s April 2024 decision in Muldrow v. City of St. Louis, some federal courts feel compelled or justified applying the same rationale to lower the standard to prove up workplace harassment claims. This will likely pave the way for more workplace harassment lawsuits to reach a jury, which in turn will lead to more harassment lawsuits being filed against employers.
Continue Reading Lowering the Legal Standard for Establishing Workplace Harassment Claims

On April 2, 2025, United States Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it will extend the work authorization for individuals who are in the U.S. on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) from Venezuela through April 2, 2026.  Employers should take note when completing the Form I-9 and E-Verify for new and current employees.
Continue Reading USCIS Extends Venezuelan Work Status Through April 2026 and Issues a New
Form I-9

In today’s competitive talent marketplace, traditional compensation models alone are no longer enough to attract and retain top performers. Explore innovative approaches to total rewards that can help drive measurable business outcomes and increase employee retention and engagement on April 16.
Continue Reading Join Us for Beyond Sweat Equity: Modern Compensation Strategies for
Enhanced Engagement & Retention

Missouri’s paid sick time law, Proposition A, is scheduled to go into effect on May 1, 2025. While the constitutionality of Proposition A is currently being challenged under a state lawsuit before Missouri’s Supreme Court and Missouri’s General Assembly is considering legislation to repeal the mandate altogether, the paid sick time requirements are still on course to take effect May 1.
Continue Reading Missouri’s Paid Sick Time Law Is Set to Take Effect May 1, 2025