DOJ Suit Against MPS Highlights Employers’ Obligation to Maintain Merit-Based, Identity-Neutral Employment Practices

On Dec. 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a federal lawsuit against Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS), alleging unlawful race- and sex-based employment practices embedded in the district’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA). According to the complaint, MPS prioritized teachers who belonged to “underrepresented populations,” set explicit numerical staffing goals for “BIPOC” employees, and…
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EO 14173 Enforcement Trends to Watch in 2026

As 2026 approaches, the compliance landscape shaped by Executive Order 14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” is entering a more enforcement-focused phase. Based on the recent HR Unlimited Roundtable with former OFCCP and EEOC leaders, federal contractors must brace for a dramatic and high-stakes shift in anti-discrimination enforcement in 2026. The focus is…
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Eight Months After EO 14173 — What Changed and What it Means for Federal Contractors

When Executive Order 14173 was issued in January 2025, revoking Executive Order 11246, many federal contractors took a sigh of relief. To some, it appeared that decades of affirmative action planning and federal oversight had come to an end. Yet eight months later, the reality has become unmistakable: EO 14173 did not eliminate compliance requirements….
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Understanding Anti-Discrimination Laws in the Workplace and Best Practices

In today’s complex employment landscape, fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace is not just a moral imperative, it is a legal one. Federal and state laws provide extensive protections against discrimination, requiring employers to adopt proactive measures to prevent bias, harassment, and retaliation in the workplace. This article explores the key anti-discrimination laws, employer responsibilities,…
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