On March 7, 2024, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) announced the creation of a pilot whistleblower program. This pilot program supplements existing whistleblower programs that fall under other regulators’ jurisdiction like the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Internal Revenue Service. Under the DOJ’s program, a whistleblower who reports “significant corporate or financial misconduct” not otherwise known to the DOJ will be eligible for a portion of any resulting civil or criminal forfeiture (after victims have been compensated). The DOJ will develop the program’s formalities over the next 90 days, with the program likely taking effect by year end.

In the last year, we have seen a sharp increase in religious accommodation requests. Given this, employers need to be aware of a significant shift in how courts analyze these requests.

Updated Form I-9: The USCIS will be releasing a new Form I-9 on August 1, 2023. The prior version of the form was released in October 2019 and will continue to be effective through October 2023. After that date, the only form that can be utilized for verifications is the August 1, 2023 version.  

We previously reported on the Federal Trade Commission’s proposed rule banning non-competes. The final vote on that rule has reportedly been delayed until 2024. In the meantime, two more states and the National Labor Relations Board have taken steps to outlaw non-competes.

Both the COVID-19 National Emergency and Public Health Emergency are set to expire on May 11, 2023. The Public Health Emergency expirations impact COVID-era accommodations and mandates.