Workplace Strategies Watercooler 2025: The Election Is Over, What’s Next? Part II

In the second part of the two-part Workplace Strategies Watercooler 2025 podcast series on changes employers can expect from the new administration, Jim Plunkett (shareholder, Washington, D.C.) continues his discussion on post-election policy changes with three additional panelists. Stacy Bunck (shareholder, Kansas City) covers the recent changes at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), including the Commission’s new makeup, its impact on the agency’s priorities and actions, and how employers can comply with recent EEOC guidance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA). Next, Tina Ho (shareholder, Washington, D.C.) discusses the new administration’s immigration policy actions, which include increased vetting procedures and secondary inspections, delays in processing times for visa and green card applications, revocations in visa status and visa stamps, and employee reporting obligations. Stephanie Smithey, a shareholder in the firm’s Indianapolis office and co-chair of the Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation Practice Group, wraps up the discussion by focusing on the new administration’s goal to deregulate and streamline rules. She covers topics such as mental health parity compliance, HIPAA privacy regulations, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing rules, cryptocurrency, and more.