Welcome back to “This Week in Employee Relations,” your fast-scan digest of the employee relations headlines shaping policy, culture and compliance. Catch up in five minutes; walk into the week with the context — and the talking points — your organization expects.
Before we dive in…big news from the HR Acuity team! We just announced several strategic wins that underscore our continued leadership in ER tech — from AI-powered case management to new partnerships and a fresh wave of industry recognition. It’s all part of our mission to help ER and HR teams manage risk, strengthen trust and act with confidence. 🔗 Read the announcement here.
💼 AT&T Declares the End of Workplace Loyalty
In a 2,500-word internal memo, AT&T CEO John Stankey made clear that the old rules of work are no longer in play. He told employees that loyalty, longevity and gradual career progression are no longer the expectation — performance and adaptability are. The same memo also addressed employee feedback on the company’s five-day in-office mandate, framing resistance as a potential misalignment with AT&T’s evolving direction.
→ ER Insight: We always say that transparency builds trust — but it depends on how it’s delivered. Stankey’s unusually direct approach may resonate with some, but for others, it could signal a shift away from psychological safety. It’s too soon to tell whether this level of candor will strengthen or strain workforce engagement. In the meantime, ER should stay close — providing clarity, coaching leaders and tuning in to early signs of disengagement.
🏢 EEOC Reappointment Signals Continued Retreat from Traditional DEI
The Senate confirmed Andrea Lucas to a second term as EEOC Commissioner. Known for her focus on religious protections and her skepticism of some DEI initiatives, her reappointment signals continued federal pushback on identity-based workplace programs.
→ ER Insight: These policy shifts often take time to play out, but they change the risk landscape immediately. Review your policies, language and manager training now — before someone else does it for you.
🚨 Texas Roadhouse Faces DEI-Driven Discrimination Complaint
A civil rights complaint was filed with the EEOC by conservative legal group America First Legal, accusing Texas Roadhouse of discriminatory hiring and board appointment practices tied to its DEI goals. The complaint argues that prioritizing race and gender in these decisions violates federal civil rights laws.
→ ER Insight: This isn’t just pushback — it’s a strategic legal challenge from an advocacy group. ER leaders should proactively revalidate program objectives, language and documentation to ensure DEI efforts are defensible and aligned with both legal requirements and business strategy — not just values.
🐶 EEOC Secures Retaliation Settlement in $20K Vet Clinic Case
A veterinary clinic in California agreed to pay $20,000 to settle an EEOC lawsuit after terminating a vet tech just one week after she raised pay equity concerns. The agency found the timing suspicious enough to support a retaliation claim.
→ ER Insight: We say it often because it’s true: Retaliation remains one of the most common — and most preventable — risks in ER. When someone raises a concern, even informally, what happens next matters most. Documentation, communication and manager actions need to be aligned and deliberate. Every time.
We’re tracking the headlines so you can focus on what matters most: Early action, consistent resolution and a culture where everyone feels safe speaking up.
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