About This Course
Over the past four and a half years, labor and employment law in the United States has undergone dramatic change. This CLE program explores three significant areas of transformation that attorneys should closely watch: child labor, union activity, and non-compete agreements.
Child Labor: Once considered a relic of the past, child labor has re-emerged as a pressing issue. While many assumed the abuses described in Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle were long behind us, recent years have seen alarming cases of child exploitation. In response, some states have amended their laws—shockingly, not to strengthen protections, but to make it easier for minors to take on work that may be hazardous or detrimental to their education.
Union Landscape: Under the Biden Administration, unions experienced renewed strength. The National Labor Relations Board issued a series of decisions favorable to organized labor, and unions made inroads into workplaces previously thought immune to unionization, such as Amazon and Starbucks. However, with the shift in federal leadership, this trend may be reversing. The new Administration has removed an NLRB member, a move currently under appeal, and has signaled a generally less favorable stance toward unions.
Non-Compete Agreements: The Federal Trade Commission attempted a bold step by issuing a rule banning non-compete clauses nationwide. That rule, however, has been blocked by a Texas district court and is currently under appeal. Meanwhile, several states have independently enacted laws restricting or prohibiting non-competes—continuing a policy long held in California. For now, these clauses remain legally enforceable in many jurisdictions, but the legal landscape remains unsettled.
This session is essential for attorneys representing employers, employees, or unions who want to stay ahead of rapidly shifting legal standards. With more changes likely in the coming years, keeping informed is more critical than ever.
