United States: Health & Safety

In the latest episode of the Mintz On Air: Practical Policies podcast, Jen Rubin is joined by fellow Mintz employment attorneys Natalie Groot and Nikki Rivers for a frank conversation on strategies for empathetic managing of stressed-out employees.

On April 22, 2026, the United States Department of Labor (“DOL”) announced its new proposed rule aimed at clarifying when multiple employers share joint liability for violations of federal wage and hour laws. The proposed rule is entitled “Joint Employer Status Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act.”

This comprehensive update covers significant regulatory developments affecting retirement and health plans, including the DOL's proposed safe harbor for investment selection, the reinstatement of the Five-Part Fiduciary Test, and critical court decisions on ERISA compliance. The bulletin also addresses emerging issues in prescription drug pricing litigation and provides essential compliance deadlines for plan administrators.

On April 22, 2026, the US Department of Labor, through its Wage and Hour Division, issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) addressing joint employer status under federal wage and hour and leave laws.

Navigating health insurance after job loss can be overwhelming, but COBRA provides a crucial lifeline for maintaining employer-sponsored coverage.

Executive Summary: On April 22, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) issued a final order (“Final Order”) placing FDA-approved drug products containing marijuana and medical marijuana products...

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) has delayed its standard on respirable crystalline silica pending judicial review.

Heat illness prevention continues to be a key focus for state regulators as they move to fill the void left by OSHA’s still-uncompleted proposed heat standard.

Virginia's 2026 legislative session produced sweeping workplace reforms that will fundamentally reshape employer obligations across the Commonwealth. From minimum wage increases and paid leave mandates to expanded anti-discrimination protections and restrictions on non-compete agreements, these changes represent the most significant labor law overhaul in recent state history. Employers must now prepare for compliance deadlines beginning July 1, 2026, while monitoring the governor's proposed amendments and v