Overview
Attorney Bob O’Hara* focuses his practice on employment law counseling and litigation as well as human resources counseling, compliance, and training.
Bob’s experience includes the following:
- Conducting and overseeing workplace investigations (including sexual harassment, bribery, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, product quality, supply chain theft, and malfeasance of every kind), executive terminations, and government audits
- Representing employers in federal and state trial and appellate courts in matters involving breach of employment contracts, alleged wage and hour violations, alleged wrongful terminations, harassment and discrimination claims, and other employment law issues
- Successfully defending more than 300 compliance audits by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs and Wage and Hour Division
- Advising employers on all facets of the employment relationship, from pre-employment considerations and hiring to terminations and post-employment restrictions, as well as compliant diversity and inclusion program parameters
- Counseling employers on complying with equal pay laws, and performing pay equity analyses to address potential disparities within their hiring, pay, and retention practices
- Counseling employers with respect to the avoidance of employment-related disputes, employee discipline, leaves of absence, workplace safety (OSHA), accommodation requests, and termination of employment (including voluntary and involuntary reductions in force)
- Providing advice to clients on implementing various environmental, social, and governance (ESG) measures to enhance the long-term success of their business
- Advising employers on how to maximize the benefits of artificial intelligence in the workplace (including in the recruitment and selection process) while minimizing potential risks
- Identifying and solving the unique labor and employment law issues faced by multinational companies operating in various legal regimes, and implementing global programs to ensure that compliance requirements are met
- Helping employers implement global privacy compliance, investigation, and auditing initiatives; cybersecurity and data breach response protocols
- Conducting workplace training for employees, managers, and human resources personnel
In 2020, Bob was admitted to The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers as a Fellow, the highest recognition by one’s colleagues of sustained outstanding performance in the profession, exemplifying integrity, dedication, and excellence.
Immediately before joining Epstein Becker Green, Bob was an Assistant General Counsel and Senior Vice President of Member Engagement for a nonprofit employer association dedicated to helping its members manage workplace compliance requirements and risks. Prior to that, for 18 years, Bob managed employment law and compliance for a Fortune 50 company with 225,000 employees operating in more than 150 countries. During that time, he was also a significant contributor to U.S. Congress-directed negotiations on Americans with Disabilities Act amendments and Section 503 disability regulations.
Earlier in his professional career, Bob spent 13 years at the National Security Agency in a number of intelligence analyst and management positions, including as Senior Intelligence Analyst for the National Security Council at the White House, and had assignments in the Pentagon supporting the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He also clerked for the Assistant General Counsel for Administrative and General Law at the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of General Counsel.
*Admitted in Connecticut and the District of Columbia; not admitted in New York.
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Focus Areas
Services
- ADA and Public Accommodations
- Affirmative Action/OFCCP Compliance
- Corporate Governance
- Employment Compliance Counseling
- Employment Litigation
- Employment, Labor & Workforce Management
- General Counsel Services
- Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA)
- Opioids
- Pay Equity
- Privacy, Cybersecurity & Data Asset Management
- Remote and Hybrid Work
- Wage and Hour
- Workforce Government Relations
- Workforce Restructuring and Other Cost-Saving Mechanisms
- Workplace Investigations
Experience
- Worked on a pay equity analysis for a technology company’s U.S.-based population. We provided the legal guidance on grouping, comparators, and mitigation strategies, where needed.
- Worked with clients in both health care (hospitals) and financial services on fatality and hospitalization investigations with OSHA. As the COVID pandemic evolved, OSHA continued to shift its recordkeeping and investigations requirements, further confusing clients on what is required. We collected, synthesized, and responded directly to OSHA on our clients’ behalf.
Credentials
Education
- Duke University, Sanford School of Public Policy (Certificate in Corporate Social Responsibility and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), 2021)
- INSEAD (Certificate in Transforming Your Business with AI, 2021)
- Georgetown University Law Center (J.D., 1995)
- Defense Intelligence College (now the National Intelligence University) (M.S., 1990)
- Walsh University (B.A., 1982)
Bar Admissions
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
Professional & Community Involvement
- American Bar Association, National Equal Employment Opportunity Committee, Employer Co-Chair (Sept. 2021 to Aug. 2023)
- American Employment Law Council
- The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers, Fellow
- The Hartford Bishops' Foundation, Board of Directors
- Holy Apostles College and Seminary (Cromwell, CT), Board of Directors
- Malta House of Care Foundation (Hartford, CT), Board of Directors
Media
Events
Past Events
- March 8, 2023
- June 9, 2022
Insights
Insights
- Media CoverageRobert O’Hara Quoted in “Even as Multimillion-Dollar Fines Pile Up, Dollar General Says It's Making 'Sustained Effort ...2 minute read
- BlogsWorkplace Mass Shootings Are a Reminder That Employers Need Legally Compliant Workplace Gun Policies8 minute read
- Media CoverageRobert O’Hara Quoted in “EEOC Commissioner Charges Jumped in 2022 Amid Partisan Stalemate”3 minute read
- Media CoverageRobert O’Hara Quoted in “Shareholder Sues Dollar General After OSHA Assesses $15M in Safety Fines and Says Chain 'Puts ...3 minute read
- BlogsNew York HERO Act Enhanced Workplace Safety Committee Enforcement Provisions Enacted3 minute read
- Media CoverageRobert O’Hara Quoted in “Employers Watching for EEOC Action on Pay Data, Other Policies”3 minute read
- PublicationsNew York City Employers, Don’t Be Spooked: Everything You Need to Know About the Salary Transparency Law14 minute read
- BlogsThe White House Releases “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights: Making Automated Systems Work for the American People” ...6 minute read
- Publications2022 Pay Equity Trends and Strategies for Complying with Pay Range Disclosure Requirements in New York City and California ...8 minute read
- BlogsNYC Issues Proposed Rules for Its Automated Employment Decision Tools Law8 minute read
- BlogsCalifornia Raises the Bar on Pay Equity7 minute read
- Media CoverageRobert O’Hara Quoted in “Tight Labor Market’s Recruitment Focus Puts Pay Equity at Risk”3 minute read
- Media CoverageRobert O’Hara Provides Practical Guidance on Pay Equity Audits and the Equal Pay Act2 minute read
- Media CoverageRobert O’Hara Quoted in “Spread of Pay Disclosure Laws Exposes Employers to Bias Suits”3 minute read
- BlogsFOIA Request May Disgorge Thousands of Federal Contractor EEO-1 Reports - Deadline Extended to October 19, 2022 ...4 minute read
- Media CoverageBob O’Hara Quoted in “How to Write a Total Compensation Statement”2 minute read
- BlogsEEOC Issues Guidance on the ADA & Employer Use of AI Screening Tools7 minute read
- PublicationsIllinois Equal Pay Act: New Registration Certificate Requirements6 minute read
- Media CoverageRobert O’Hara Quoted in “A Quick, 4-Step Guide to a Successful Pay Equity Audit”2 minute read
- BlogsSupreme Court Blocks OSHA Vax-or-Test ETS for Large Employers, Allows CMS Health Care Vax Rule6 minute read
- BlogsSupreme Court Rejects OSHA Vax-or-Test ETS for Large Employers but Allows CMS Vax Rule for Health Care Workers6 minute read
- BlogsSCOTUS Permits CMS Health Care Vax Rule but Rejects OSHA Vax-or-Test ETS for Large Employers6 minute read
- Media CoverageRobert O’Hara Quoted in “5 Questions After High Court Smacks Down Vax-or-Test Rule”4 minute read
- BlogsCDC Shortens Recommended COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Periods3 minute read
- BlogsCDC Shortens Recommended COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine Periods3 minute read
- PublicationsSixth Circuit Lifts Injunction on OSHA’s COVID-19 ETS—New Enforcement Deadlines Announced10 minute read
- Media CoverageBob O’Hara Quoted in “Is COVID-19 a ‘Grave Danger’? If Not, Biden Rule May Fall Flat”3 minute read
- BlogsCircuit Court Stays Enforcement of OSHA’s Emergency Temporary Standard and OSHA Complies—More Developments ...4 minute read
- Media CoverageBob O’Hara Quoted in “Vaccine Rule Highlights Workplace Safety Lawyers' COVID-19 Era Rise”2 minute read
- BlogsCircuit Court Blocks OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard, at Least for Now – Stay Tuned2 minute read
- PublicationsBiden’s Vaccine Mandate Rules Are Out and the Deadlines to Comply Are Sooner Than You Think: What Employers Need to Know Now ...24 minute read
- PublicationsAll New York HERO Act Safety Plans Must Be Placed Into Effect: New Guidance Issued11 minute read
- Media CoverageBob O’Hara Quoted in “OSHA Warrant Litigation Warns of Safety Enforcement Priorities”3 minute read
- BlogsPresident Biden’s Proposed Budget: Boon to Enforcement, Oversight, and Worker Protection3 minute read
- PublicationsNew York State Department of Labor Releases NY HERO Act Model Safety Plans: Employers Have 30 Days to Adopt Conforming Plans ...15 minute read
- PublicationsThe Intersection of the New York HERO Act and Federal Labor Law2 minute read
- PublicationsNew York HERO Act Amendments Signed Into Law7 minute read
- PublicationsOSHA Issues COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard10 minute read
- PublicationsOSHA Issues Updated Guidance for Most Non-Health Care Employers and Businesses6 minute read
- BlogsNew York Hero Act Amendments Passed and Sent to Governor for Signature6 minute read
- PublicationsGovernor Cuomo Signs "First in the Nation" HERO Act, Placing Significant Workplace Health and Safety Obligations on All New ...17 minute read
- Media CoverageRobert O’Hara Quoted in “Pay Discrimination Is Top OFCCP Focus, Director Says”2 minute read
- PublicationsEEOC Announces New Reporting Deadline for Employers to Submit 2019 and 2020 EEO-1 Data3 minute read
- PublicationsIllinois Employers Will Be Required to Report on Their Equal Pay Practices to Obtain Mandated Certification; Significant ...7 minute read
- BlogsEqual Pay Day 2021: Are Your Pay Decisions Fair and Equitable?3 minute read
- BlogsOSHA Launches New COVID-19 Initiatives: With More to Come4 minute read
- Media CoverageRobert O’Hara Quoted in “‘Stark’ Facts Make Praying Coach's High Court Bid a Hail Mary”3 minute read
- BlogsEEO-1 Reporting for 2019 and 2020 to Close in July 20212 minute read
- PublicationsOSHA Waives Form 300A Posting Requirements for Establishments Closed Due to COVID-195 minute read
- BlogsOSHA Issues Revised COVID-19 Guidance: Not Mandatory … Yet.4 minute read