Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute released its Policy Week in Review on May 15, summarizing recent federal legislative and regulatory actions that affect the workplace.
The review outlines significant changes, including a technical amendment from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division on May 14. This amendment rescinds a Biden-era overtime rule and restores the salary threshold for Fair Labor Standards Act “white collar” overtime exemptions to levels set by a 2019 Trump-era regulation. It remains uncertain whether the Department of Labor will revisit or revise this rule in future rulemaking efforts.
The report also highlights ongoing activity regarding union-backed legislation in Congress. A discharge petition filed by Representative Donald Norcross seeks to force a House vote on H.R. 5408, known as the “Faster Labor Contracts Act.” The petition has gathered signatures from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, reaching 214 out of the required 218 signatures needed to move forward. The business community, including Littler’s Workplace Policy Institute, is actively opposing this legislation in both chambers.
In addition, workplace safety was addressed during a hearing held by Chair Ryan Mackenzie of the House Subcommittee on Workforce Protections on May 13. The hearing focused on private-sector strategies for emerging safety issues as workplaces evolve with new technologies. Mackenzie said it is important to update safety policies to keep pace with these changes.
These developments indicate ongoing debates over labor regulations and workplace protections at the federal level.
