Election Season Issues From a Labor Law Perspective

Consider writing about:

Labor- and employment-related issues that tend to arise in connection with the political election season, whether they involve internal issues (speech rights, or limitations, in the workplace; potential disputes between employees, or even workplace violence or outsider threats; employee rights to time off for voting or requests for time off for volunteering, etc.) or external issues (ballot measures or key races that employers – either generally, or in a particular region or industry – should be paying attention to, and what the midterm results could mean for worker rights and protections).

Is Your Latest Remote Hire a North Korean Scammer?

Consider writing about:

The ongoing problem of North Korea-linked workers posing as legitimate job applicants; forms that this type of fraud has taken, how pervasive it’s believed to be, and how the risk to current or would-be employers is evolving; what businesses can do to protect themselves from this persistent threat; what the U.S. government or other authorities are doing to combat this problem; related federal guidance for employers.

Related information:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-announces-coordinated-actions-combat-north-korean-remote-it-worker

https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2026/PSA261013

Instacart Parent Company to Pay $5M to Settle Feds’ Claims Over Foreign Workers

Consider writing about:

A $5 million settlement that Maplebear (parent company of online delivery operation Instacart) has agreed to pay to resolve allegations that Instacart discriminated against U.S. workers based on citizenship status and national origin; hiring and recruitment practices at issue in this case; takeaways for other employers from this case; related immigration enforcement trends that employers should be heeding.

Related information:

https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/civil-rights-division-and-equal-employment-opportunity-commission-secure-5000000-joint

https://finance.yahoo.com/small-business/articles/instacart-settles-us-probe-over-180425194.html

DHS Finalizes Rule Axing Automatic EAD Extensions

Consider writing about:

A final rule released Oct. 13 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regarding foreign nationals’ work authorization; background to the rule; when the final rule takes effect and what it means for Employment Authorization Document holders and the EAD renewal process; whether the final rule applies retroactively; practical pointers for employers and their workforce on the nuts and bolts of the EAD process and possible options for avoiding or minimizing work gaps and disruptions to workplace operations.

Related information:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/10/14/2026-20955/removal-of-automatic-extensions-for-certain-employment-authorization-documents

Are Ukrainian and Sudanese Workers Still Covered by Temporary Protected Status?

Consider writing about:

Temporary Protected Status developments involving Ukrainian and Sudanese workers in the United States; where their work and residency eligibility or other rights or protections currently stand; any guidance (or lack thereof) from immigration authorities; how workers and their employers can best navigate an uncertain, and perhaps quickly shifting, terrain.

Related information:

https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-says-immigrants-ukraine-sudan-can-keep-protected-status-now-2026-10-19

Pro Bono Efforts Involving Political Elections

Consider writing about:

Pro bono efforts that are currently being (or have previously been) undertaken by you or your firm regarding voting rights, redistricting, voter suppression or intimidation, election process integrity, and election law; noteworthy challenges and successes on these fronts; how these types of cases have evolved over the years; how your pro bono work on these issues dovetails with your firm’s overall culture and pro bono priorities.

State AG Races to Watch

Consider writing about:

The stakes for state attorney general races in this November’s midterm elections; key issues or enforcement priorities or trends that could be impacting these races; any especially noteworthy face-offs that businesses should be paying attention to.