Labor Law Updates

As a responsible business owner, maintaining a safe, productive workplace is essential - but rising concerns about violence have prompted many employers to revisit their policies, especially regarding weapons. Because federal law does not directly address firearms in private workplaces, employers must rely on state-specific laws to understand what’s allowed and how to remain compliant.

Employers who participate in E-Verify are already familiar with the system’s role in confirming employment eligibility, but what’s often overlooked are the accompanying compliance responsibilities. One of the most basic, and increasingly important, obligations is the proper display of E-Verify posters in the workplace. And with Illinois introducing new posting and procedural requirements in 2025, it’s clear that the compliance landscape is evolving.

Recent presidential action has significantly altered key workplace rules for federal contractors — specifically, those related to minimum wage requirements and pay transparency. These changes not only affect how employers manage compensation and hiring practices but also have implications for workplace posting obligations.

Most employers know they must display labor law posters for employees, but many don’t realize certain postings must also be visible to job applicants. In fact, of the six mandatory federal postings, four must be accessible to applicants. Nearly half of U.S. states and several cities also require location-specific job applicant notices.

When discussing employee pay, the terms minimum wage, prevailing wage and living wage are often used interchangeably — but they mean very different things. Understanding the distinction is essential, especially if you're an employer navigating complex wage requirements across states, cities or industries.