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In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Goli Rahimi (Chicago) and Kate Thompson (New York/Boston) discuss recent developments in remote work regulations, with a focus on New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Kate and Goli highlight New Zealand’s relaxed visa requirements, which now allow digital nomads to work remotely from the country for up to nine months. They also cover the Abu Dhabi Global Market’s introduction of new employment regulations designed to facilitate remote work, including provisions for necessary tools, cybersecurity measures, and fair treatment of remote employees in the UAE

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In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Shirin Aboujawde (New York) and Maya Barba (San Francisco) discuss an important global mobility topic: international secondments. Maya and Shirin focus on key issues for employers to consider, including immigration compliance, employment law considerations in both the home and host countries, as well as obligations related to income tax, social security, and corporate taxation.

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In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Patty Shapiro (shareholder, San Diego) and Maya Barba (associate, San Francisco) discuss the effect of the recent United States Agency for International Development (USAID) stop-work order on global employers. Patty and Maya delve into the challenges that impacted organizations are facing as a result of the stop-work order and discuss strategies to manage workforce disruptions in compliance with local labor and employment laws. The speakers explore options such a furloughs, pay reductions and terminations, and also touch on the ongoing legal developments related to the USAID stop-work order. [The legal developments discussed in this episode are current as of February 21, 2025.]

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In this episode of our Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region podcast series, shareholders John Surma (Houston) and Frank Davis (Dallas) discuss the new settlement process implemented by the Dallas Regional Office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Dallas Regional Solicitor’s Office. John and Frank emphasize that this process now includes a second round of negotiations following the contesting of citations. This change could lead to more favorable outcomes for employers, including reductions in penalties and the possibility of having citations withdrawn. The speakers also touch on the potential reasons behind this new approach, such as reducing the workload for the Solicitor’s Office and addressing recent legal challenges faced by administrative bodies.

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In this inaugural episode of 2025 for our Safety Perspectives From the Dallas Region podcast series, shareholders John Surma (Houston) and Frank Davis (Dallas) discuss President Trump’s new executive orders and their impact on the Dallas region. Frank and John address staffing issues arising from the hiring freeze, explore the “fork in the road” email regarding deferred employee resignations, and examine the return-to-work executive order, among other topics.

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In the second part of our two-part podcast series on H-1B visa applications, Kara Lancaster (shareholder, Raleigh) and Meagan Dziura (of counsel, Raleigh) begin with a deep dive into the process of how individuals selected in the H-1B lottery file petitions (including related travel restrictions) the filing options for those selected (including change of status and consular notification), and the timeline for when individuals can enter the United States. Kara and Meagan touch on special provisions for F-1 students, the importance of considering L-1 visa holders, and other visa categories that may also benefit from entering the lottery. The speakers also cover recent updates from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the impact of increased fees, and strategies for managing various employee visa situations.

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In part one of this two-part podcast series on H-1B visa applications, Kara Lancaster (shareholder, Raleigh) and Meagan Dziura (of counsel, Raleigh) discuss recent updates from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and provide valuable insights on how to prepare for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B lottery. Meagan and Kara cover the basics of the H-1B visa, its benefits, and why it is a popular choice among employers. They share practical tips on what steps you can take now to prepare for the registration window, which typically opens in early March, including updates from USCIS and the importance of early planning. The conversation also covers the benefits of the H-1B visa, recent changes to the registration process, and the impact of increased fees on employers.

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In this podcast, shareholders Scott Kelly (Birmingham) and Lauren Hicks (Indianapolis/Atlanta) provide an update on the current status of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), which has been in flux since President Trump’s inauguration. Lauren and Scott discuss the uncertainty that federal contractors have faced since the new administration issued Executive Order (EO) 14173, Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity, which immediately revoked EO 11246 and gave federal contractors and subcontractors 90 days to comply. In addition, they address voluntary compliance options and the considerations for unwinding compliance with EO 11246 (for example, regarding job postings, career websites, self-identification, clauses with vendors and subcontractors, etc.). Lauren and Scott also highlight that the obligations under Section 503 and Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) remain in effect, meaning the annual affirmative action requirements under both programs are still applicable.

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In this podcast, shareholders Scott Kelly (Birmingham) and Lauren Hicks (Indianapolis/Atlanta) discuss the implications of President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14173, which aims to end illegal discrimination and restore merit-based opportunities. Lauren and Scott delve into the executive order’s impact on federal contractors and subcontractors, particularly the revocation of Executive Order 11246, which mandated affirmative action and non-discrimination obligations. They also explore the potential future actions of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) and the broader ramifications of the executive order.

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In this episode of our Cross-Border Catch-Up podcast series, Skye Hao (Atlanta) and Goli Rahimi (Chicago) discuss changes to South Korea’s childcare support laws that will go into effect on February 23, 2025, and how these amendments will affect South Korean employees and employers alike.