On June 4, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation restricting travel to the United States of nationals from 19 countries. The proclamation is a result of a Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order issued to reaffirm the Trump administration’s commitment to stricter national security policies. The restrictions, effective 12:01 am EDT on Monday, June 9, 2025, are based on concerns over terrorism, inadequate vetting, failure to accept removable nationals and high visa overstay rates.

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What is the new non-U.S. citizen registration requirement?

The law requires non-U.S. citizens residing in the United States to register with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), providing personal information such as fingerprints and home addresses. The new rule aims to enhance national security and ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws.

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After President Trump’s DEI-related Executive Orders and Presidential Acts, employers have grappled with their DEI policies. Employers now have some agency guidance on what the Trump Administration considers illegal DEI practices and potential implications. The documents linked below focus on “educating the public about unlawful discrimination related to ‘diversity, equity and inclusion’ in the workplace.”

Continue Reading What employers need to know about the EEOC’s guidance regarding discrimination related to DEI and Title VII

Question: Our employees drive vehicles strictly for work purposes, but we do not have a policy on such use. After employees received several speeding tickets, we would like to introduce a policy that would allow management to deduct the cost of tickets from employees’ wages. Are we allowed to start introducing this type of payroll deduction?

Continue Reading Q&A: Can you deduct speeding tickets from employee wages?

Last year, we reported on the Tenth District Court of Appeals’ decision limiting employers’ defenses to temporary total disability compensation following the termination of an employee. Recently, the Supreme Court of Ohio reversed the lower court decision and issued a decision favorable for Ohio employers. In State ex rel. AutoZone Stores, Inc. v. Indus. Comm., 2024-Ohio-5519, the Supreme Court clarified when employers may contest an employee’s request for temporary total disability compensation. 

Continue Reading Ohio Supreme Court clarifies employers’ defenses to temporary total disability compensation in workers’ compensation cases

Immigration reform will be a focal point of the new administration in the early days of Trump’s transition back to the White House with a likelihood that some changes initially will come by way of executive action. The practical implications of any immigration policy changes may begin to take shape in the early months of the new administration, but based on his past administration and campaign rhetoric, it is possible that some changes could be swift.

Continue Reading Immigration policy considerations for employers as we embark on a second Trump administration

Employers settling workers’ compensation claims with Medicare beneficiaries are required to take into consideration Medicare’s potential interest. Settling parties obtain a Medicare Set-Aside (MSA) report that designates a portion of the settlement to be set-aside for future medical treatment.  This process is to ensure that The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is not paying for medical treatment that should have been covered by a workers’ compensation claim. 

Continue Reading Changes to Medicare set-aside reporting

What is a Labor Condition Application in the H-1B process?

An employer must file a certified Labor Condition Application (LCA) with an H-1B petition on behalf of employees who need an H-1B visa for employment. The LCA is certified by the Department of Labor (DOL) and imposes an obligation on the employer to pay the offered wage for the duration of the H-1B petition unless the obligation is terminated earlier.

There are two reasons the obligation may be terminated early. If the employee requests non-work-related time off for personal reasons or submits a voluntary resignation, the employer is not required to pay the salary as the employee is considered unavailable for employment. Either reason should be carefully documented. The employer’s obligation for wages may also terminate if the employer decides to terminate the employment of an H-1B employee, with or without cause, prior to the end of the H-1B petition. 

Continue Reading Bona fide termination of H-1B employee