May 24, 2021 Update. On or around May 24, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) updated its COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions webpage […]
Expect Continued Law Enforcement Focus on No-Poach Agreements in 2022
In 2021, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) and Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”)—the two agencies principally charged with enforcement of the antitrust laws—significantly increased their focus in the labor […]
FTC Proposes to Ban Non-Compete Agreements, and Takes First-Ever Enforcement Actions Against Companies for Imposing Non-Compete Terms on Workers
On January 5, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that, if implemented, would prevent employers from entering into non-compete clauses with workers, […]
SEC Brings Additional Enforcement Actions Based on Separation Agreements that Allegedly Violated the SEC’s Whistleblower Protection Rules
September 10, 2024 Update. The SEC continues to announce settlements of charges against companies that it alleges interfere with whistleblower rights under SEC Rule 21F-17(a). On September 9, 2024, […]
EEOC Issues New Enforcement Guidance on Workplace Harassment
On April 29, 2024, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) published its long-awaited Enforcement Guidance on Harassment in the Workplace (the “Guidance”). The Guidance—the first issued by […]
CFTC Announces First-Ever Enforcement Action for Impeding Whistleblowers
The U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) recently announced a first-of-its-kind enforcement action under CFTC Rule 165.19(b), for allegedly impeding whistleblower reporting by requiring employees to enter into […]
Trump Budget Plan Proposes Big Cuts to OSHA, Lowering Head Count and Limiting Enforcement Capabilities
The Trump Administration’s fiscal year 2026 budget proposal includes big cuts for OSHA. The Fiscal Year 2026 Congressional Budget Justification is available here. The plan includes an 8% […]
FTC Moves to Dismiss Its Appeal of Non-Compete Rule, but Makes Clear Its Intent to Address Illegal Non-Competes in Enforcement Actions
On Friday, September 5, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) moved to dismiss its appeal of a Texas federal court decision holding that the FTC’s 2024 final rule […]
Trends In Patent Policy and Enforcement
On Oct. 9, 2025, the newly appointed director of the Patent Office made a remarkable statement to the United States Senate. Director John Squires stated that patents are […]
‘Click to Cancel’ Rule Kicking In, and All Signs Point to Stiff Enforcement
Companies have less than a week to ensure they’re in compliance with the Federal Trade Commission’s new “click-to-cancel” rule, which is supposed to ensure consumers can cancel subscriptions […]