U.S. Agencies Target DEI as DOL Issues 4 Opinion Letters and California Court Limits PAGA Standing
Updated
Updated · Workforce Bulletin · Jun 10
U.S. Agencies Target DEI as DOL Issues 4 Opinion Letters and California Court Limits PAGA Standing
1 articles · Updated · Workforce Bulletin · Jun 10
Summary
The Labor Department urged employees to file whistleblower complaints over DEI activity that may violate the administration’s ban, while the EEOC’s 2025-2029 enforcement plan made DEI-related discrimination a priority.
The DOL email cited a 3-year statute of limitations, signaling workers could report alleged violations dating to the Biden administration, including hiring quotas, exclusive networking events and certain DEI trainings.
Four new Wage and Hour Division opinion letters addressed overtime exemptions, bonuses, meal breaks and compensable work, largely clarifying existing policy rather than marking a major shift.
In California, an appeals court held that a worker who loses individual arbitration can lose standing to pursue a representative PAGA claim, strengthening employers’ use of issue preclusion against such cases.