This week, we're covering a change in leadership at the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), the reinstatement of National Labor Relations Board ("NLRB" or "Board") member Gwynne Wilcox (restoring a crucial quorum), and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's (EEOC's) focus on new enforcement priorities.

New Leadership at the DOL

Lori Chavez-DeRemer was sworn in as the U.S. Secretary of Labor on March 11, 2025, after receiving bipartisan support from the Senate. Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, a former congresswoman with strong backing from organized labor, is generally viewed as a centrist figure.

NLRB Quorum Restored—for Now

President Trump made waves when he fired NLRB member Gwynne Wilcox shortly after taking office. However, on March 6, a federal judge in the District of Columbia held that Wilcox was "illegally" fired and instructed the NLRB Chair to restore Wilcox's access to the Board and allow her to serve out the remainder of her five-year term.

EEOC's New Enforcement Priorities

While many had anticipated a reduction in EEOC enforcement under the new administration, a series of announcements indicate that the agency is instead shifting its priorities and stepping up investigations in new areas, such as anti-American bias, antisemitism, and binary sex and related rights.

Additionally, the EEOC has recently issued letters to 20 major law firms, raising concerns about their diversity and inclusion programs. The agency is investigating whether these programs may involve unlawful disparate treatment or classification based on race, sex, or other protected characteristics, in potential violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Employers should take note, as this development may signal a broader enforcement strategy.

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