On this episode of the Policy Matters Podcast, Seyfarth attorneys Daniela Mayer and Leon Rodriguez are joined by special guest Stephanie Oestreich, Managing Director, Myeloma Investment Fund, to discuss international political economy and business immigration implications– how national policy impacts economic growth, and how business immigration plays a role in corporate strategy.

In this episode, host Leon Rodriguez is joined by Lauren Parris Watts to discuss the potential impacts of President-elect Trump’s administration on corporate DEI initiatives. Leon and Lauren explore how past policies may resurface, the challenges businesses could face in compliance and reporting, and the strategies employers can adopt to advocate for robust DEI programs amidst shifting political landscapes. Tune in for insights on maintaining a commitment to diversity while navigating a changing federal environment.

In this episode of the Policy Matters podcast, Seyfarth attorneys A. Scott Hecker and Bradley D. Doucette delve into expected wage and hour priorities in the next presidential administration, depending on which candidate takes office. Scott and Brad provide insights into what these priorities could mean for employers, particularly regarding the Department of Labor’s enforcement activities. Their discussion covers the potential implications of a second Trump Administration on wage and hour rules presently being pursued by President Biden. Additionally, Scott and Brad address significant legal ramifications from the recent Loper Bright v. Raimondo decision and its potential effects on wage and hour – and other – regulations. Tune in to hear their analyses and perspectives.

Last year on the Policy Matters podcast, the team explored the fundamentals of non-compete agreements and examined what the adoption of the FTC’s proposed non-compete rule could mean for employers. Today, host Leon Rodriguez is joined by Daniel Hart and Dawn Mertineit to discuss the groundbreaking rule set to shake up non-compete agreements in the workplace, slated for enforcement starting September 4, 2024. Join the speakers as they unpack the rule's broad implications, mounting legal challenges it faces, and constitutional uncertainties looming over its implementation.

On this episode of the Policy Matters Podcast, Seyfarth partner and former Director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Leon Rodriguez, delves into the ever-evolving landscape of U.S. immigration regulations, focusing on the H-1B, H-2A, and H-2B visa classifications. Discover the proposed regulations’ latest requirements and how these changes might impact skilled professionals seeking work opportunities in the United States. Also addressed are stakeholder concerns, the caps for these programs, and potential exceptions to these limits. Tune in for an exploration of these crucial updates that promise to reshape the immigration experience.

On this episode of the Policy Matters Podcast, Seyfarth attorneys Leon Rodriguez and Scott Hecker share strategies for responding to congressional invitations to provide information and discuss hot Labor & Employment topics Congress has been investigating lately. Tune in to hear the latest.

On this episode of the Policy Matters Podcast, Seyfarth attorneys Scott Hecker and Ariel Fenster discuss the U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division’s (“WHD”) resource limitations, and how those are impacting WHD priorities, like child labor law investigations and various significant rulemakings. The low number of investigators leads to high stress and low morale for those remaining, and WHD workers may feel overburdened and under-resourced. Join Scott and Ariel as they share their thoughts on these interesting developments, including how employers may be affected by these issues.

Recent government activity at the federal and state levels has led to enhanced focus on child trafficking laws, with both the Biden Administration and Congress signaling interest in the ongoing and potentially increasing use of child labor in the U.S. and global economies. STOP THE TRAFFIK [stopthetraffik.org]’s Director of Intelligence Neil Giles joins host Scott Hecker on this episode of the Podcast to discuss how STOP THE TRAFFIK – a UK-based, non-profit organization dedicated to ending human trafficking – analyzes data and collaborates with relevant stakeholders to share critical information and craft targeted global campaigns to eradicate trafficking.

With Jenny Yang suddenly departing the Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”) for a position in the White House, the Biden Administration must contend with another open leadership role at the Department. Scott Hecker sits down with expert Christy Kiely to discuss Yang’s legacy at the OFCCP; what the transition to a new director could mean for employers; pressing issues the new permanent OFCCP director will need to address; and the key differences between Yang and her acting successor, career government employee Michele Hodge. Join Scott and Christy as they talk through these issues, as well as the ongoing impacts of former Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh’s departure from DOL and the pending nomination of Acting Secretary Julie Su to serve in the confirmed role.

Although we typically focus on federal policy in this podcast, in a nod to our system of federalism, this episode takes a look into policy on the state level, specifically the sweeping New Jersey Temporary Workers’ Bill of Rights. This new law carries a host of new requirements for staffing firms and employers, and could set a precedent for similar policies in other states, and eventually, Congress. Seyfarth’s expert Nick Lussier joins host Scott Mallery to discuss the details of what the new law entails and what it means for clients, including the practical difficulties of complying with the same.