In its August 2025 decision in Richards v. Eli Lilly & Co. et al., the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has fundamentally altered how federal courts manage actions under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The ruling governs courts within the Seventh Circuit, including courts in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Increased rigor in the FLSA certification standard may save employers substantial Read More
DOL Plan to Shutter OFCCP Next Year and Transfer Oversight to Other Agencies
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has confirmed its plans to eliminate the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), which governs and enforces federal contractor responsibilities. The DOL’s proposed 2026 budget allocates no funding or staff to OFCCP. According to a DOL spokesperson, the DOL intends to reassign OFCCP’s duties under Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act to the U.S. Equal Employment Read More
California Labor Commissioner Awards $8.55 Million in Grants to Local Prosecutors
As part of the Workers’ Rights Enforcement Grant program established in 2023, the California Labor Commissioner’s Office has awarded $8.55 million in grants to 16 local prosecutors. The purpose of these grants is to help local governments enforce labor laws, including wage payment violations and other employment practices illegal under state law. Usage of these grants is likely to result in an increased number of Read More
Class Achieves Partial Victory in United Mental Health Claims Battle
A California federal district court judge has entered judgment in part in favor of both a class of patients and United Behavioral Health (UBH) in a fight over coverage for mental health and substance abuse disorder treatments. The court found that UBH’s overly restrictive coverage guidelines breached fiduciary duties under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). The case is Wit et al. v. Read More
As Employers Struggle with Uncertain Tariffs, Pharmacy Benefits May Help Contain Costs
Employee benefits are one of the most expensive expenditures for employers, and the rate of pharmacy benefit spending is rapidly increasing. However, employers and workers can take steps to save money, which is even more crucial with tariffs currently causing widespread uncertainty. Digital Advances Facilitate Choice The traditional pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) model limits consumer knowledge about Read More
The GOP Tax Bill and Its Effect on Employee Benefits
The Republican tax and policy bill that President Donald Trump has now signed into law contains various provisions that affect attorneys who handle employee benefits and executive compensation. The major takeaways from the bill are as follows: No Changes to Existing Retirement and Health Tax Provisions The most recent budget reconciliation bill made no changes to existing individual and business tax provisions Read More
No Surprises Act Enforcement Could Assess Fines Up to $10,000
A bipartisan group of lawmakers, including five medical doctors, has introduced a bipartisan bill in the House to enforce provisions of the No Surprises Act. The bill could increase the maximum penalties for employer health plans for delayed payments from a No Surprises Act claim to $10,000. The current penalty is $100. Furthermore, the bill would require federal officials to annually report their work to ensure Read More
Lawmakers Criticize EBSA for Giving Information to Plaintiffs’ Attorneys
The House Education and the Workforce Committee’s Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions subcommittee was critical of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) divulging certain information to plaintiffs’ attorneys during a recent oversight meeting. EBSA reportedly shared information concerning enforcement investigations with attorneys representing benefits plan Read More
The Effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill on Employee Benefits
Congress has passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB)” and President Donald Trump has signed it into law. The OBBB contains multiple changes to employee benefits law, including in the areas of HSAs, dependent care FSAs, student loan repayment assistance, and “Trump accounts.” OBBB HSA Expansion Although the changes to health savings accounts (HSAs) are not as extensive as in the original House bill, the Read More
4 Appellate Arguments For Benefits Attys To Watch In Sept.
Law360 (August 29, 2025, 4:54 PM EDT) -- Yellow Corp. seeks to revive a $137 million breach dispute against the Teamsters at the Tenth Circuit, married retirees will ask the Eleventh Circuit to restart a pension conversion fight, and the en banc Fifth Circuit reconsiders a challenge to a rule implementing a 2020 surprise health billing law. Here are four appellate argument sessions in September that benefits Read More
