Worker Policy Watch
Your source for accurate and reliable information on how federal policies are shaping workers’ rights—and what’s at stake for working people nationwide under the Trump administration.
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Department of Labor Announces It Will Not Enforce 2024 H-2A Regulations That Provide Greater Protections for Agricultural Workers
H-2A agricultural workers face pervasive workplace abuses, including lack of safety, unpaid wages, and retaliation if they complain about work conditions. The Biden administration had strengthened protections against such abuses.
Impact:
Agricultural workers, not only those here on H-2A visas, will have fewer protections against illegal workplace treatment.
White House Threatens Massive Expansion of Worksite Immigration Enforcement
White House immigration advisor Tom Homan said in an interview that the administration plans to ramp up workplace immigration enforcement, and potentially target employers for civil and criminal prosecution.
Impact:
Homan said that in addition to targeting immigrant workers for deportation, the administration hoped to intimidate employers away from hiring immigrant workers and discourage immigrant workers from seeking employment.
EEOC Drops Prosecution of Sheetz Convenience Stores, Which Refused to Hire Job Applicants who Did Not Pass Criminal Background Screening
Based on the legislatively codified theory of disparate impact, the EEOC and federal courts have long maintained that blanket policies refusing to hire people with criminal records disparately impacts workers of color and are therefore illegal. Trump has issued an executive order attempting to abolish disparate impact liability for discrimination.
Impact:
Nearly one in three adult workers has a criminal record. The EEOC has signaled that it will not enforce its own guidance on the use of arrests and convictions in hiring and that workers with records will get no protection from the agency.
While Peacefully Protesting Immigration Policy, SEIU California President is Forcibly Arrested and Injured in the Process
As part of its efforts to forcibly stop peaceful protest against immigration policies, this administration arrested a California labor leader, trying to chill his and others' right to assemble and protest.
Impact:
The militarization of the response to the protests in California is an attempt to scare people and organizations out of exercising their First Amendment rights.
Trump Proposes Cuts to Other Worker Protection Agencies
Trump wants to cut 4.7% of the NLRB's funding and reduce the EEOC's funding by $20 million.
Impact:
Both agencies have barely avoided furlough in the prior years because of low funding levels. If enacted, these cuts would all but ensure more "reductions in force" and lesser enforcement of civil rights laws and labor rights.
OPM Announces Plans to Increase Recruiting from Religious Colleges and Universities, Homeschooling, and Other Conservative Faith-Based Groups
All of these categories are overwhelmingly populated by white, Christian people.
Impact:
The administration is trying to counteract the Biden administration's efforts to increase recruitment at historically Black and Hispanic colleges and universities.
Federal Agencies Ordered to Stop Collecting and Disseminating Demographic Data About Legally Protected Characteristics in Their Workforces
Lack of data is the best way to disguise discriminatory hiring and employment practices. The public will now have no way of knowing the makeup of the workforces in federal agencies.
Impact:
As the Trump administration ramps up efforts to eviscerate civil rights protections and make it easier for white, Christian people, men in particular, to get jobs, we will have fewer tools to root out discrimination in federal hiring.
Trump Administration Moves to Dismantle the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Disadvantage Business Enterprise Program
This very effective program helps ensure that women- and minority-owned businesses have success in bidding for federal DOT contracts.
Impact:
This move continues the administration's assault on civil rights and opportunities for historically marginalized workers and communities.
DOGE Team Arrives at U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
This eight-member bipartisan commission has long sought to shine a light on civil rights issues and enforcement in the U.S. Trump has already tried to fire its chair, and now it seems that DOGE is looking for ways to eviscerate it or shut it down.
Impact:
The Commission is an important entity that holds hearings, conducts research, and issues reports on important civil rights issues to help in the effective enforcement of our nation's civil rights laws.
EEOC Issues Memo Declaring It Will Stop Funding or Participating in Joint Investigations of Discrimination on Behalf of Transgender People and Investigations Involving Disparate Impact Liability
Although the Supreme Court has ruled that discrimination based on gender identity violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and although disparate impact liability is embedded in that statute by Congress, the EEOC is removing funding and cooperation from state agencies that investigate and prosecute these claims.
Impact:
This administration and its appointees continue to disregard the clear language of congressionally authorized statutes and the Supreme Court as it attempts to undo civil rights protections for people who do not conform to their beliefs about who should be protected.