The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit recently reaffirmed the standards governing when an employee’s release of claims is considered “knowing and voluntary.” The decision, Nakisha West v. Dow Chemical Company, provides useful guidance for employers relying...
Labor & Employment
Sixth Circuit Limits NLRB Authority to Impose Bargaining Order in Union Election Disputes
A recent decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit may cut short the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) recent approach to union recognition and bargaining orders following representation elections. In Brown-Forman Corp. v. NLRB, decided March...
EEOC Guidance on Telework and the ADA: What Employers Should Know as Return-to-Office Policies Continue to Evolve
As many employers continue to develop their post-COVID return-to-office policies, questions remain about when remote work may be required as a reasonable accommodation under federal disability law. On February 11, 2026, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission...
EEOC Enforcement Action Against Nike Signals Increased Scrutiny of DEI Programs
On Thursday, February 4, 2026, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a subpoena enforcement action against Nike in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri seeking to compel the footwear and apparel giant to produce information...
Guidance for an ICE Visit: Employer Rights, Responsibilities & Legal Obligations
Recent media coverage of heightened immigration enforcement has led employers to the realization that a visit from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is no longer a remote possibility. As a result, HR leaders are asking, are we ready? Whether prompted by...
Sixth Circuit Joins Growing Pushback Against the NLRB’s Expanded Make-Whole Remedy
The debate over the scope of the National Labor Relations Board’s (the “Board”) remedial authority under the National Labor Relations Act (“NLRA”) continues to intensify, and the Sixth Circuit has now added its voice to the growing chorus of courts rejecting the...
An Overview of Columbus’s Latest Efforts to Achieve “Pay Transparency”
Columbus, Ohio is the latest city to enact a law requiring “pay transparency.” Starting January 1, 2027, employers in Columbus must disclose salary ranges in their job postings. This requirement was recently added to the law enacted by the City of Columbus in 2024,...
Best Practices for Managers Considering Termination of Employment
Preliminary Considerations Before recommending termination, managers should determine whether lesser corrective measures are appropriate. Depending on your workforce, it may make sense to implement a progressive discipline policy. A progressive discipline policy may...
9th Circuit Clarifies Risks of Not Posting Job Openings
The 9th Circuit’s decision in Caldrone v. Circle K Stores Inc. demonstrates why it is risky for employers not to post a job opening, even if there is an internal employee who would be perfect for the job. Factual Background: Three plaintiffs, who were employed by...
Cuyahoga County Enacts CROWN Act: Compliance Guidance for Employers & Employees
On October 14, 2025, Cuyahoga County became the first county in Ohio to pass its own version of the CROWN Act, expanding local anti-discrimination protections to include natural hairstyles. The ordinance prohibits discrimination based on hair texture and protective...