Even if you read them at the time, you’ll want to read them again.
In 2025, organizations faced significant developments in the areas of immigration, workplace policies, federal enforcement, and data privacy.
Throughout the year, Constangy attorneys provided timely, practical analysis to help employers understand what changed, why it mattered, and how to respond. Below are 10 must-read articles from 2025 that continue to offer valuable insight as employers look ahead.
Work Authorization in Transition: TPS, parole updates for Venezuela, Haiti, Nicaragua, and CHNV
Authors: Barbara Kihumba & Punam Rogers | Topic: Immigration law and work authorization compliance
Immigration compliance remained top of mind for many employers in 2025, particularly in the areas of Temporary Protected Status and humanitarian parole programs. This article provides an overview of key updates affecting Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua, and the CHNV (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela) Humanitarian Parole Program, including shifting eligibility rules, timelines, and workforce planning considerations.
Employers needing strategic support can find additional resources on our Immigration Compliance services page.
Read the full TPS and parole update for employers.
Employers, can team-building get you sued? Four risks, four solutions
Author: Robin Shea | Topic: Workplace policies, employment litigation risk, and compliance
Team-building initiatives are often well-intentioned, but they can also create unexpected legal exposure. This piece outlines four common risks tied to team-building activities -- including discrimination, wage-and-hour issues, and reasonable accommodation concerns -- and pairs each with practical solutions that employers can use to promote engagement while minimizing legal risk.
Employers can find proactive resources on developing compliant workplace practices on our Workplace Advice & Counsel services page, and learn more about defending employment claims on our Employment Litigation Prevention & Defense services page.
Read the full analysis on the legal risks of team-building activities.
President Trump rescinds Executive Order 11246
Author: Cara Crotty | Topic: EEO compliance, affirmative action, and federal contractor obligations
One of the most significant compliance developments of 2025 was the rescission of Executive Order 11246, which among other things required certain federal contractors to take “affirmative action” to recruit and hire women and minorities. This article explains what the change means for federal contractors, and its impact on their affirmative action obligations and EEO enforcement. It also offers guidance on how employers should reassess their compliance strategies.
Employers can find practical resources on managing these evolving requirements on our EEO, Contractor Compliance, Reporting & Analytics services page, and explore proactive compliance guidance on our Workplace Advice & Counsel services page.
Read the full update on EO 11246 changes and contractor compliance.
Back to the Future: How data privacy laws can teach us what to expect with AI regulation
Author: Ryan Steidl | Topic: Data privacy, artificial intelligence, and emerging regulation
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workplace, this article examines how the evolution of data privacy laws may serve as a road map for future AI regulation, which would allow employers to apply familiar compliance measures to this emerging and rapidly developing area of legal risk.
Employers can explore practical guidance on preparing for AI governance and compliance on our AI Advisory and Compliance services page, and find additional resources on managing related data privacy risks on our Cybersecurity & Data Privacy Prevention, Preparation & Compliance page.
Read the full article on AI regulation and data privacy lessons.
“If We Do It for You, We’ll Have to Do It for Everybody”: 4 worst practices for employers
Author: Robin Shea | Topic: Workplace accommodations, disability law, and employment best practices
This article examines one of the most common — and most problematic — phrases used in workplace decision-making. By highlighting four “worst practices” related to accommodations and flexibility, Constangy chief legal editor Robin Shea explains why rigid, one-size-fits-all thinking often leads to legal trouble and how employers can avoid these pitfalls through more thoughtful, individualized approaches.
Employers can find practical guidance on ADA compliance and workplace accommodations on our Workplace Advice & Counsel services page, and resources for handling sensitive employee issues and requests on our Workplace Investigations services page.
Read the full article on ADA accommodations and employer best practices.
TPS designations for Honduras, Nicaragua will end
Author: Justin Coffey | Topic: Immigration law and employment authorization compliance
This immigration update focuses on the scheduled end of Temporary Protected Status designations for Honduras and Nicaragua. It outlines key dates, documentation considerations, and compliance steps that employers should take to prepare for potential workforce impacts and avoid costly mistakes.
Employers can find additional resources on managing immigration compliance and workforce authorization issues on our Immigration Compliance services page.
Read the full update on TPS expiration and employer next steps.
Workplace Fraternization Policies: Four “whos” and a “why”
Author: Robin Shea | Topic: Workplace policies, harassment prevention, and employee relations
Workplace relationships continue to present challenges for employers in a number of areas, including harassment prevention, favoritism, and employee morale. This practical article breaks down the four essential “whos” employers should consider when crafting fraternization policies — along with the overarching “why” behind these rules — and offers guidance that balances risk management with workplace realities.
Employers can find practical resources for addressing sensitive employee relations issues on our Workplace Investigations services page, and guidance on drafting and updating effective workplace policies on our Advice & Counsel services page.
Read the full guide to effective fraternization policies.
UK law on English football reflects failure to learn from US
Author: Chris Deubert | Topic: Sports law, labor relations, and regulatory governance
This article examines the approach of the United Kingdom to regulating professional football and contrasts it with the U.S. model of private regulation and collective bargaining. Although rooted in sports law, Chris Deubert’s analysis offers broader lessons about over-regulation, governance, and the unintended consequences of ignoring proven regulatory frameworks.
Employers and organizations can explore resources on collective bargaining and workplace governance on our Labor Relations services page, and learn more about managing related disputes on our Employment Litigation Prevention & Defense services page.
Read the full article on labor relations and regulatory governance.
New York’s unique Child Data Protection Act: Here’s everything you need to know
Author: Lauren Godfrey | Topic: Data privacy, cybersecurity, and state regulatory compliance
State-level privacy laws continued to expand in 2025, and New York’s Child Data Protection Act stands out for its breadth and implications. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the law, explaining who must comply, what data is covered, and why businesses — even those not focused on children — should take notice.
Businesses can explore a state-by-state overview of evolving privacy requirements using our interactive Data Privacy Law Compliance Map.
Read the full analysis of New York’s Child Data Protection Act.
Christian teacher gets jury trial in name/pronoun case
Author: Robin Shea | Topic: Religious accommodation, discrimination law, and workplace policies
This article examines a high-profile case involving a Christian teacher in Indiana who was granted a jury trial after refusing, based on his religious beliefs, to use a student’s preferred name and pronouns. The analysis explores how courts are approaching religious belief and accommodation, workplace policies, and anti-discrimination laws, particularly as they relate to (and potentially conflict with) LGBTQ rights.
Employers can find practical guidance on navigating religious accommodations and sensitive workplace policy issues on our Workplace Advice & Counsel services page, and learn more about defending related claims on our Employment Litigation Prevention & Defense services page.
Read the full article on religious accommodation and workplace policies.
As employers prepare for the challenges of 2026, these articles remain a valuable resource for understanding the developments that shaped the year before and for preparing for what lies ahead.
This is Constangy’s flagship law blog, founded in 2010 by Robin Shea, who is chief legal editor and a regular contributor. This nationally recognized blog also features posts from other Constangy attorneys in the areas of immigration, labor relations, and sports law, keeping HR professionals and employers informed about the latest legal trends.
