[1] The others are California, New York, Minnesota, Washington and Oregon. Additionally, on July 13, 2026, Rhode Island enacted such a law, taking effect January 1, 2027.

• Agencies Lose Their Independence: In Trump v. Slaughter, the U.S. Supreme Court held that federal agencies such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) are not “independent.” The NLRB’s Board members and General Counsel serve at the President’s pleasure and can be removed at any time, for any reason—or for no reason.
• The Ripple Effect on the NLRB: Although the Slaughter ruling doesn’t affect other positions at the NLRB, it has the potential to have a significant trickle-down effect on those who report to the NLRB’s Board members or General Counsel. This will likely be compounded by the administration’s efforts to remove civil service protections for many positions at the NLRB as well as other agencies.
• A New Circuit Split on the Standard for Section 10(j) Injunctions: Applying the traditional four-part test for the first time since the Supreme Court’s decision in Starbucks Corp. v. McKinney, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit declined to accept an NLRB Regional Director’s contention that irreparable harm would result from an employer’s refusal to bargain, splitting with the Ninth and Fourth Circuits over the standard for granting injunctive relief under Section 10(j) of the National Labor Relations Act.

• NLRB Nomination Signals Shifting Board Majority: The nomination of James Macy—packaged with the renomination of Democratic Member David Prouty—could give the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) a three-person Republican majority, providing the votes needed to overturn Biden-era precedents.
• Quorum Pressure Drives Confirmation Timeline: The Senate must confirm at least one nominee before Member Prouty’s term expires in August to preserve the Board’s quorum, making a swift confirmation process likely.
• Key Precedents on the Chopping Block: With a third Republican vote, the Board is expected to revisit the captive audience meeting rule, the Cemex bargaining order decision, Thryv’s expanded remedies, and standards for evaluating employer work rules.

In this episode of Employment Law This Week^®, Epstein Becker Green attorney Michael S. Ferrell discusses what a three-person Republican majority on the NLRB would mean for employers and which Biden-era precedents are most likely to be reconsidered.

• DOL Proposes Opening 401(k) Investments: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) proposed a rule establishing a process-based safe harbor for fiduciaries under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, opening the door to alternative assets—including cryptocurrency, private equity, and real estate—in 401(k) plans.
• NLRB Wants Its Removal Protections Stripped: The National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB” or “Board”) asked a federal court to declare unconstitutional the statutory provisions limiting the U.S. president's ability to remove members of the NLRB and administrative law judges—marking the first time the Board itself has taken this position.
• Compliance with Military Leave Requests: Amid ongoing global conflicts, employers should prepare for an influx of military leave requests and review their obligations under the federal Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, as well as any applicable state law.

• Sixth Circuit Rejects Cemex Bargaining Order: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit refused to enforce a bargaining order issued under the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB’s) 2023 Cemex standard.
• Cemex Remains in Effect Outside the Sixth Circuit: The NLRB continues to treat Cemex as binding policy in all other jurisdictions, leaving employers outside the Sixth Circuit’s reach exposed to bargaining orders under the standard.
• A Formal Reversal May Be Coming: With its current composition, the NLRB is widely expected to reject Cemex outright when the appropriate case arises—thereby restoring the long-standing framework requiring unions to win a representation election before gaining recognition.

In this episode of Employment Law This Week^®, Epstein Becker Green attorney Steven M. Swirsky provides insights on the Sixth Circuit's decision and what it means for employers navigating union recognition demands.

The Missouri Attorney General’s (AG’s) Office recently learned this lesson in Missouri v. Starbucks Corp., when its Title VII anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) case against Starbucks was dismissed by a federal district court judge.

• National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Sets New Enforcement Priorities: NLRB General Counsel Crystal Carey directed regional offices to prioritize the resolution of current cases over initiating new enforcement actions.
• Department of Labor (DOL) Targets Non-Union Workplaces: In an internal memo, DOL Solicitor of Labor Jonathan Berry emphasized that enforcement would focus on non-unionized environments, noting that unions were better equipped to address issues in unionized workplaces.
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Cracks Down on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policies: EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas issued a warning that preference-based diversity policies may violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and signaled a return to systemic investigations and large-scale litigation.

On January 6, 2026, the New York Assembly introduced bill A9452 (Amendment), which would substantially amend the “Trapped at Work Act” (TAWA). As we explained here, TAWA prohibits all employers—including subsidiaries and contractors—from requiring current or prospective workers to sign employment-related promissory notes as a condition of employment.

The results of this informal survey provide the opportunity not only to reflect on the challenges confronted by the global organizations we are privileged to represent, but also to prepare for what the legal landscape might hold in 2026. 

Employers face a rapidly evolving legal landscape in 2026. In this episode of Employment Law This Week®, Epstein Becker Green attorneys share their insights on the key challenges and opportunities businesses should prepare for in the year ahead.

Discover more predictions and practical guidance—watch the full episode now.

• bond with a child,
• care for a family member with a serious health condition, or
• deal with the deployment or active duty of a family member in military service.