Ollie’s Bargain Discount allegedly refused to hire deaf worker, required ‘ability to hear regularly’

The Latest

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  Language that evoked slavery keeps front desk worker’s hostile work environment claim alive

  Courts may scrutinize ineffective employer responses to harassment in their analysis of such cases, previous rulings have shown.

  Compliance

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  Sponsored by Safeguard Global

  The CFO paradox: Balancing global hiring confidence vs restraint

  CFOs balance global hiring opportunities with complex risks across borders. But are they succeeding?

  Talent

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  Nearly half of CFOs say they’d go with AI over a gut feeling

  In a survey by enterprise planning firm Board, finance chiefs were likelier than CIOs and COOs to follow a recommendation from an AI tool if it “conflicts with their instinct.”

  HR Management

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  The wage gap is definitively widening, especially for Black women, study finds

  These National Women’s Law Center findings come amid sustained unemployment for Black women, catalyzed by 2025 federal worker cuts. 

  Diversity & Inclusion

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  IBM report warns AI could erode human skills deemed vital by CHROs

  It’s not the first time the technology’s potential effects on employee cognition have raised alarm.

  Talent

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  Employees use AI, but many say they don’t know why

  Since workload rates remain steady across users and nonusers of artificial intelligence, companies need to reexamine their overall ROI, a vice president at Culture Amp said.

  Talent

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  Maryland governor’s AI framework focuses on regulation and reskilling

  While the framework Gov. Wes Moore established begins with forming committees and gathering stakeholders, Maryland already has one law regulating the technology at work.

  Compliance

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  Judge tosses former Purdue diversity chief’s race bias and retaliation claims

  The executive offered up three colleagues as similarly situated comparators — and the judge dismissed all three.

  Updated 3 hours ago

  Compliance

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  Workers say they are frustrated by bait-and-switch job descriptions

  When a role's responsibilities don’t match hiring language or a position’s expectations change significantly, it can lead to stress and burnout, employees reported. 

  Talent

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  HR leaders worry about the loss of critical leadership skill development

  The entry-level worker pipeline is shrinking and more tasks are being given to artificial intelligence, resulting in fewer learning opportunities for younger workers, a report found.

  Talent

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  Older workers struggle to showcase their true skills on freelancing platforms, study says

  As the workforce ages, HR may need to go the extra mile to connect with talent that has the skills they need.

  Diversity & Inclusion

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  Teen’s ‘therapeutic’ DJ classes did not entitle mother to FMLA leave, court finds

  While the mother, a Mattress Firm manager, said the classes were related to her son’s mental health, the court noted they had not been prescribed.

  Compliance

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  Colorado judge: Doctor’s burnout wasn’t a disability

  The Americans with Disabilities Act and related federal laws define disability broadly, but recent federal court decisions demonstrate the statute’s limits.

  Compliance

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  Religious bias requires more than knowledge of employee’s accommodation need, court says

  Federal courts have been asked in recent months to decide what counts as sufficient disclosure of an employees’ religious beliefs, particularly in the COVID-19 vaccination context.

  Compliance

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  Why aren’t women applying? It may be due to a lack of representation.

  In an Emory University study, women survey-takers seemed discouraged from applying for jobs that were perceived as lacking gender diversity.

  Diversity & Inclusion

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  Week in review: Employers need more ‘bench strength’

  We’re rounding up last week’s top stories, including the percentage of Generation Z workers that said they intend to look for a new role before the year is through.

  Talent

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  Starbucks, Florida AG ink deal to end lawsuit over alleged illegal DEI practices

  Attorney General James Uthmeier alleged that the coffee chain excluded or disfavored nonminorities in a lawsuit that mirrored recent federal enforcement activity.

  Compliance

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  Butterball settles EEOC allegation it was liable for vendor’s failure to process ADA leave request

  Employers can’t delegate their responsibility for complying with federal law to a third-party administrator, an EEOC attorney said.

  Compliance

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  Worker agrees to settle EFAA case involving nonworkplace sexual assault

  A former employee of API Group Life Safety USA was allowed to move forward with her claims after a federal judge found the Ending Forced Arbitration Act applied to her case.

  Updated Sept. 18, 2026

  Compliance

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  AI summaries leave a paper trail recruiters might not be ready for

  “A job seeker’s mistake could be recorded permanently. An interviewer’s insensitive — or even illegal — question could also be captured,” one CEO said.

  Talent

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  ‘Rampant pay cynicism’ threatens companies, report finds

  “A depleted workforce paired with cynicism about pay creates a precarious moment for employers,” a global rewards leader at Marsh said.

  Talent

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  Ignoring a doctor’s note can be costly, EEOC reminds employers

  Employers should “leave the work of identifying pregnancy-related risks and limitations to qualified medical professionals,” the agency said in conciliating two separate cases.

  Compliance

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  Activision Blizzard hit with new sexual assault, harassment claims in lawsuit

  The video game publisher’s HR department — previously alleged to have condoned a “frat boy culture” — was dismissive of the plaintiff’s complaints, she claimed.

  Compliance

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  This week in 5 numbers: Amazon will give grocery benefits to workers

  Here’s a roundup of numbers from the last week — including how many employers say artificial intelligence is actually slowing down the hiring process.

  Compliance

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  How can employers boost workers’ 401(k)s? Student loan matching.

  The SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022 for the first time allowed employers to match eligible employee payments on student loans.

  Comp & Benefits

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  Amazon ups minimum hourly starting wage to $20

  The e-commerce company increased pay by $1 an hour for full-time employees in core operations and added new grocery discounts.

  Talent

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