On average, it takes well over a year for an employer and a newly certified labor union to reach agreement on a first contract. Nonetheless, operationalizing the proposed truncated timelines will often prove difficult, and result in significant burden on employers. In this dynamic time of change at the NLRB and in federal labor law, it is essential that employers stay mindful and up-to-date on the changes and what they might ultimately mean for their businesses.
Department of State Updates Eligibility for Waivers of Nonimmigrant Visa Interviews
The Department of State unexpectedly updated the requirements for nonimmigrant visa interview waiver eligibility, effective February 18. The interview waiver program (also referred to as Dropbox) allows qualified visa applicants to renew their visas without an in-person interview, offering a more streamlined and efficient process. These changes, which greatly limit the number of individuals eligible for visa waivers, come at the helm of President Trump’s Executive Order directing federal agencies to recommend ways to enhance screening and vetting of all visa applicants seeking admission to the United States.
What Should Be Done If an Application for UK Electronic Travel Authorisation Is Refused?
While an ETA refusal may seem like a significant setback, it does not necessarily prevent a person from travelling to the UK. Individuals who face an ETA refusal should not assume they are barred from visiting the UK. Rather, they may simply need to navigate a more detailed application process to be granted permission to travel. For those who have had an ETA refused, acting promptly and ensuring that a Visitor visa application is well-prepared will be critical to achieving a successful outcome.
Updates From the Acting General Counsel and the Quorum-less National Labor Relations Board
Recent leadership changes at the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), following the removal of key members by President Donald Trump, are sparking significant policy shifts. As the Board struggles with a lack of quorum, new challenges are emerging, including legal battles over the certification of union elections and the constitutionality of member removal protections. With a more employer-friendly approach under new leadership, the NLRB’s future direction could reshape labor law enforcement and business practices in the coming months.
New Quota Law Coming to Illinois Warehouse Distribution Centers in 2026
In recent years, Illinois has gone the way of states like California and New York by expanding workplace protections for employees. That trend was evident in 2024 with the passage of several laws that took effect on January 1, 2025. Those laws provide additional rights to employees with respect to pay transparency, whistleblowing, E-Verify, captive audience meetings and rights under the Illinois Human Rights Act, to name a few. The trend has continued in the new year with the Illinois legislature passing the Warehouse Worker Protection Act (HB 2547), which the governor is expected to sign. Effective January 1, 2026, the Act will impose new obligations on employers operating large warehouse distribution centers in Illinois where employees are held to a quota.
Summary: Non-administrative, nonexempt employees who work in a large warehouse distribution center where they are subject to a quota must be provided with written details about the quota and what may happen if the quota is not met. If adverse action is taken against an employee for failing to meet a quota, the employee has a right to receive a written explanation about how their work failed to satisfy the quota. Employees (including former employees) who believe they received an adverse action because they did not meet a quota also have a right to receive, among other things, their personal work speed data for the last 90 days and a copy of the aggregated work speed data for employees in similar roles who worked at the same location and for the same time period.
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In 11th Hour Move, Michigan Legislature Adopts Amended Minimum Wage and Earned Sick and Safe Time Requirements
After years of uncertainty and a roller coaster of shifting requirements, Michigan employers will have clear guidance and finality on their minimum wage and paid sick and safe leave obligations with the enactment of these latest amendments. Even still, many Michigan employers will need to adjust their policies to comply with ESTA, and Michigan employers should continue to be mindful of this new landscape and further guidance from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
View the full article on the Faegre Drinker website.