Just how far can companies go in requiring in-person work?

That is one of the critical questions facing European employers today, according to Littler’s fifth annual European Employer Survey. Drawing on insights from nearly 700 human resources executives, in-house attorneys, and business leaders, this year’s survey finds employers pulled in different directions as their desire to increase in-person work may conflict with the flexibility needed to attract and retain talent.

The economy has been awash with mixed messages in recent months – throwing a wrench into many employers’ workforce planning.

This complex picture raises a host of important questions for companies: Do they continue hiring as normal? Prepare for a downturn? Implement reductions in force (RIFs) or layoffs?

Widespread economic uncertainty. Evolving workforce expectations. Accelerating adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. A growing patchwork of local, state and federal regulations.

Numerous headwinds are colliding in 2023 – and presenting employers with a litany of tough decisions.

Employers are increasingly looking to reap benefits from both generative and predictive artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including in human resources (HR) functions. Yet an evolving patchwork of AI regulation and the rampant pace of technological change place many at a crossroads.

How will the growing use of AI impact workforce decisions and expose new vulnerabilities?

Under pressure to provide increasingly flexible work arrangements, leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools, and wade into contentious social issues, how are European employers responding?

Littler’s sixth annual European Employer Survey – completed by 780 human resources executives, in-house attorneys and business leaders – investigates this critical question, exploring how today’s employers are responding to widespread shifts in workplace management, policy and culture.

Employers face numerous legal and workplace complexities in managing their inclusion, equity and diversity (IE&D) programs, from the repercussions of the U.S. Supreme Court’s affirmative action decisions to new anti-IE&D state laws and mounting calls for corporate leaders to take a stance on social issues.

How are employers responding to this critically important – and increasingly embattled – workplace issue?

Balancing Risk and Opportunity in AI Decision-Making

As the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) spreads across corporate America, the risks are growing in kind. The question on every business leader’s mind, then, is how to seize the opportunities created by AI – without exposing their organizations to new vulnerabilities. 

European businesses are navigating numerous changes impacting their workplaces, driven by factors that range from national election outcomes and the rapid adoption of AI to ESG initiatives and emerging compliance challenges.

Littler’s seventh annual European Employer Survey – completed by nearly 630 business leaders, in-house lawyers, and HR executives (57% of whom hold C-suite positions) – offers an in-depth look at how business leaders are responding to these issues and steps they are taking to prepare for what’s to come.

Devjani Mishra discusses Littler’s Executive Employer survey, which found that most employers are planning to implement a hybrid work model.

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Dear Littler: You alerted us to some wage & hour and leaves & benefits issues stemming from our “wandering workers” who have scattered across the country during the pandemic, yet continue to work for our Texas-based company.

Dear Littler: Considering the recent passage of the federal Speak Out Act limiting the use of pre-dispute nondisclosure and non-disparagement clauses involving sexual assault and sexual harassment claims, what impact will this have on our template releases, separation agreements, and litigation settlement agreements? How do you recommend we revise those documents?

                                         —Revising Releases

Dear Revising,

Dear Littler,

We are a small company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that allowed some of our employees to work remotely during the pandemic. When we recently announced our plans to call employees back to home base in Milwaukee, we received feedback that some employees did not plan to come back—they want to continue working remotely. We anticipated this, and we’re working with them to navigate their individual situations, but we were surprised to learn that some of our employees have actually relocated to different states!

This Littler Lightbulb highlights some recent labor and employment law developments at the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeal.

This Littler Lightbulb highlights some of the more significant employment law developments at the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeal in the last month.

This Littler Lightbulb highlights some of the more significant employment and labor law developments at the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeal over the last month.

At the Supreme Court

This Littler Lightbulb highlights some of the more significant employment law developments at the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeal in the last month.

At the Supreme Court

This Littler Lightbulb highlights some of the more significant employment law developments at the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeal in the last month.

At the Supreme Court

This Littler Lightbulb highlights some of the more significant employment law developments at the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeal in the last month.

At the Supreme Court

PORTLAND, Maine (May 24, 2023) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added James Thelen as of counsel in its Portland, Maine office. Prior to joining Littler, Thelen was a higher education consultant, as well as general counsel and chief legal officer at the University of Maine System, a statewide system of seven public universities. While there, he also served as vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and chief of staff.

This Littler Lightbulb highlights some of the more significant employment law developments at the U.S. Supreme Court and federal courts of appeal in the last month.

At the Supreme Court

(October 14, 2020) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has announced a number of leadership changes throughout its various practice and industry groups.

“We congratulate this talented and diverse group of co-chairs,” said Tom Bender and Jeremy Roth, Littler co-managing directors, in a joint statement. “Their deep knowledge and extensive experience in their respective practice areas will continue to enhance the firm’s ability to advise and defend clients on myriad employment and labor law matters across all industries.”

(November 8, 2023) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labour law practice representing management, has released its sixth annual European Employer Survey Report. Based on responses from 780 human resources (HR) executives, in-house lawyers and business leaders from across Europe, the report explores the myriad ways in which employers are responding to changes in workplace management, policy and culture.

(November 16, 2023) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, is pleased to announce that attorneys in its Colombia, Portugal, Puerto Rico and Spain offices have been recognized in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers^®.

The individual attorneys that were recognized include the following:

(December 1, 2023) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, earned the top score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) for the 15th consecutive year. The firm joins the ranks of 545 major U.S. businesses who also earned top marks in this year’s benchmarking survey and report, which measures corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality.

MEXICO (December 7, 2023) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, is pleased to announce that attorneys in its Mexico offices have been recognized in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers^®.

The individual attorneys that were acknowledged include:

(January 2, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, is ringing in the new year with a new shareholder class. The firm elevated 26 attorneys to shareholder across its U.S., Mexico and Singapore offices, effective January 1, 2024.

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (January 4, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has appointed Paula Anthony as office managing shareholder (OMS) of the firm’s New Haven, Connecticut office, effective January 1, 2024. Anthony succeeds Lori Alexander who will be stepping down to continue to focus on her full-time litigation and advice practice.

(January 10, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has released its Inclusion, Equity and Diversity (IE&D) C-Suite Survey Report, completed by more than 320 C-suite executives across the United States.

PORTLAND, Ore. (January 9, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added Lisa P. Shevlin as a shareholder in its Portland, Oregon office. Shevlin joins from Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP with wide-ranging experience as an employment law advisor and litigator.

AUSTIN, Texas (January 16, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added Tara Porterfield as senior counsel in its Austin office. Porterfield joins from Vinson & Elkins and brings more than 20 years of employment litigation experience.

(January 24, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has elected five new members to its 2024 board of directors: William Anthony (New York), Kristine Grady Derewicz (Philadelphia), Danielle Herring (Houston), Charlotte Main (Atlanta) and Stephan Swinkels (Amsterdam). Additionally, Michael Wilder has been reelected as board chair.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 12, 2024) – Littler shareholder Tyler A. Sims testified today before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce at a joint hearing of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development and the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions on “Safeguarding Student-Athletes from NLRB Misclassification.”

MIAMI (March 25, 2024) – Emily Selig, an associate in the Miami office of Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has been selected as a 2024 fellow for The Leadership Academy, a South Florida-based program dedicated to advancing women in the legal profession.

“On behalf of the firm, I congratulate Emily on her selection as a Leadership Academy fellow,” said Lori Brown, Miami office managing shareholder. “Emily is an incredible talent, and we are proud to have her represent Littler.”

(March 26, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has appointed new leadership for its Bollo affinity group. Shareholders Kimberly N. Dobson (Long Island) and Kimberly J. Duplechain (Washington, D.C.) will serve as co-chairs, succeeding Shareholders Eric Mack (Providence) and LaToi Mayo (Lexington). Bollo provides support, development and networking opportunities for attorneys who identify as Black, African American, African, and Caribbean, and their allies.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (March 29, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added Felicia Watson as senior counsel in its Washington, D.C., office. Watson joins from the National Association of Home Builders, where she served as assistant vice president of construction liability and research.

SAN DIEGO (April 1, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added John Nordlund as its newest shareholder in its San Diego office. Nordlund joins the firm from Jackson Lewis P.C.

HOUSTON (April 2, 2024) – N. Brenda Adimora, an associate in the Houston office of Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has been selected as a fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Fellows of the Foundation are selected based on outstanding contributions to the legal profession as well as a commitment to their Texas communities.

(April 3, 2024) – Three attorneys from Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, have been selected for the 2024 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellows and Pathfinders programs. Shareholder Karimah J. Lamar (San Diego) will serve in the 2024 LCLD fellows class, and Associates Warsame Y.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 8, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added Elizabeth Sitgreaves as special counsel in its Nashville office. Sitgreaves joins from The Law Offices of John Day, P.C. and brings over 15 years of litigation experience.

In a letter sent to Congress today, the Coalition expresses support for legislation that would modernize America’s workforce development and education system

MILWAUKEE (April 8, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added John D. (J.D.) Tripoli as a shareholder in its Milwaukee office. Tripoli joins from Eimer Stahl LLP and focuses his practice on employment-related litigation.

Update: On August 2, 2024, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed SB 2979 into law, reforming the liability guidelines under the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act.

CHICAGO (April 11, 2024) – Today, the Illinois Senate passed SB 2979, which would reform the liability guidelines under the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The bill marks an important milestone in the broader effort to resolve BIPA’s vague statutory language and courts’ expansive interpretations of the law, which have posed a threat to businesses that capture biometric information.

PITTSBURGH (April 15, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has added Shannon Huygens as special counsel in its Pittsburgh office. Huygens, who was an associate at Littler from 2004 to 2013, rejoins the firm after serving as associate general counsel at the University of Pittsburgh for more than a decade.

TORONTO (April 15, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labour law practice representing management, has added Stephen Shore as a partner in its Toronto office. Shore joins from Ogletree Deakins and represents employers across all areas of employment and labour law.

MIAMI (May 8, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has appointed D. Porpoise Evans as office managing shareholder (OMS) of the firm’s Miami office. Evans succeeds Lori Brown, who will fully shift her role to focus on her firmwide management and operational responsibilities.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (May 20, 2024) – Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, continues to expand its shareholder ranks with the addition of Gregory Tumolo in its Providence, Rhode Island office. He joins the firm from Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith, where he was co-chair of the Employment Advice and Counseling practice group. Tumolo’s arrival follows several recent additions at the shareholder level, including Stephen Shore (Toronto), John Tripoli (Milwaukee) and John Nordlund (San Diego).