New England Biz Law Update

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued a proposed rule to clarify when multiple businesses may be considered joint employers under federal wage and hour laws, aiming to create a more consistent national standard.

The U.S. Department of Justice has reached its first settlement under its Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, marking a significant step in the agency’s use of the False Claims Act to address alleged civil rights violations by entities receiving federal funds.

A federal court in Massachusetts has allowed age discrimination claims against a pharmaceutical company to proceed to trial, finding that a jury could conclude that the company’s interview-based rehiring process was designed in a way that disadvantaged older employees.

A federal court in Alabama has denied a motion to dismiss a discrimination lawsuit brought by a transgender employee, finding that the plaintiff plausibly alleged that she was terminated because of her gender identity.

A newly proposed federal rule could significantly expand financial incentives and protections for employees who report money laundering, sanctions violations, and other financial crimes, with potential payouts reaching into the millions.

A federal judge has granted summary judgment to a hospital employer, finding that a transgender nurse failed to show that her termination was based on gender identity rather than documented performance concerns.

Two recent federal court decisions are raising a new question for employers: Could your employees’ AI chat histories show up as evidence in a lawsuit?

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has reached a $15 million conciliation agreement with a global technology company to resolve allegations of religious and disability discrimination tied to its COVID-19 vaccine policy.

The U.S. Department of Labor has taken a step toward revising its joint employer standard, sending a proposed rule to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review.

In February 2026, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued new guidance on telework accommodations.