This week reminded us that risk shows up in unexpected forms: Surprise audits, contract theater and selective enforcement claims. Each one tests how much trust your processes really hold.
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.
🚨 ICE Audits Put I-9 Compliance Back in the Spotlight
Federal agencies are ramping up unannounced I-9 inspections, and even small clerical mistakes can mean costly penalties.
→ ER Insight: Don’t treat I-9s as “back office.” Spot-check them the way you would case files, especially with distributed or hybrid teams where the risk of error is higher.
⚖️ When a Union Ratifies a Contract That Doesn’t Exist
The Machinists’ Union ended its 8-week Boeing strike by voting to ratify a proposal Boeing never actually made. As Michael VanDervort put it: “This isn’t bargaining. It’s theater.” Members got to vote on something; Boeing got to say, “We never offered it.”
→ ER Insight: Sometimes the real fight is over narrative, not terms. ER pros should be ready for these “optics” moves, where the union is playing to member morale and public perception. (Side note: Michael and his colleagues at LRI lead our Union group inside empowER. If labor relations is on your desk, it’s worth joining the conversation there.)
💼 Former Zillow Exec Sues, Citing Misconduct Double Standard
An ex-Zillow leader alleges the company ignored harassment complaints against white executives while retaliating against him for raising race discrimination concerns.
→ ER Insight: “Selective enforcement” is poison to culture. If employees believe misconduct is handled differently based on who’s involved, trust collapses fast. This is why consistent processes and transparent documentation matter. (It’s also why many teams lean on tools like HR Acuity — not just to track cases, but to prove consistency when it counts.)
The through-line: ER isn’t just about managing incidents, it’s about credibility. Whether it’s paperwork, bargaining or investigations, consistency is your real currency.
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.
Stay a step ahead of every employee relations headline. Follow Deb Muller on LinkedIn for rapid-fire insights, weekly news breakdowns and insider tips straight from HR Acuity.
