The Senate just confirmed two key federal labor leaders: Brittany Panuccio to the EEOC and Andrew Rogers to lead the Wage and Hour Division (WHD) of the U.S. Department of Labor. Both moves will influence how workplace laws are enforced—and how employers should prepare.
EEOC Restores Its Quorum (and Its Power)
After months without enough commissioners to take formal action, the EEOC now has a Republican majority and full authority to move forward on:
- Rulemaking and new guidance
- Litigation approvals
- Policy reviews and reversals
This means we’ll likely see movement on issues such as DEI initiatives, workplace investigations, and evolving interpretations of discrimination law.
Forework Tip: HR teams should keep an eye on EEOC updates and be ready to adjust policies and training programs accordingly.
New Leadership at the Wage & Hour Division
Andrew Rogers, a former senior DOL adviser, is stepping in to lead the WHD. During his confirmation, he emphasized two goals:
- Helping employers comply through clear guidance; and
- Holding violators accountable when wage laws are ignored.
He also flagged child labor enforcement and prevailing wage compliance on federal projects as top priorities.
Forework Tip: Expect continued focus on overtime classification, recordkeeping, and pay transparency. Now’s the time to review your time-tracking and payroll systems for accuracy.
The Bottom Line
With the EEOC and DOL both reenergized under new leadership, employers should expect:
- More active enforcement
- New rulemaking and guidance
- Increased scrutiny of wage and hour practices
Stay ahead of the curve—make sure your payroll processes, job classifications, and compliance documentation are airtight.At Forework, we combine legal expertise and technology to help employers stay compliant with evolving labor and wage laws—so you can focus on running your business.