b'28 LEGALLY SPEAKING2025Workforce Policy Shifts: Critical Updates for EmployersDedicated to keeping its members at the forefront in their industryT heTrumpAdministrationispressingforwardwithWhilen theBidenBy Bob Dunlevey By Marc Fleischauer a oneofthemostsweepingshake-upsinworkforceAdmi istration regulation in decades. With a goal of rolling back manychampionedunions,theTrumpWhiteHousehastaken Biden-erapolicies,federalagenciesaretargetingsharplydifferentpath.Theadministrationhasexempted union influence, diversity initiatives, and compliance mandatesover40agenciesincludingtheDepartmentsofLaborand that directly impact employers nationwide. For business leaders,Defensefrom most union protections, and is moving forward understanding and adapting to these rapid changes is essentialwith substantial layoffs at 17 agencies. These reductions are to controlling risk, managing costs, and staying competitive. weakening union clout and shifting the workplace balance of power toward employers.Federal Agencies in Flux: Leadership Delays and OpportunityManykeyagencyappointmentsremaininlimboduetoMostnotably,theadministrationhasannouncedplansto prolonged Senate confirmation processes. For federal bodieseliminate the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs like the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Equal(OFCCP). The OFCCP, which has monitored affirmative action EmploymentOpportunityCommission(EEOC),thismeansand non-discrimination compliance among federal contractors months of relative inaction. Employers may benefit in the shortfor decades, would be dismantled through the presidents latest term:legaluncertaintycandelaynew,potentiallyrestrictivebudgetproposalandanexecutiveorder.RemainingOFCCP enforcement actions that affect labor relations and compliance. responsibilitiessuchasthosefordisabilityandveterans rightswillshifttootheragencies,liketheEEOCandthe SweepingChanges:UnionRights,WorkforceFlexibility,Veterans Employment and Training Service. For government and the Wind-Down of the OFCCP contractors,thissweepingchangewillmeanadramatic The InsulatorSeptember 2025'