What Employers Need to Know About the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

March 19, 2020

In response to the coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19), President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, H.R. 6201, into law on March 18, 2020.  The Act provides various forms of relief including free COVID-19 testing, expanded food assistance and unemployment benefits, and requires employers to provide additional protections for healthcare workers.  Additional bills are pending and likely to be finalized and provide additional relief.

Significantly, the Act also requires employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide paid sick leave and expanded family leave for employees.  Employers with 500 or more employees are not subject to these requirements.

The key employment-related provisions of the bill are summarized below.  These provisions will become effective within 15 days (April 2, 2020) – employers must act promptly to ensure that their policies comply with these new requirements.

Emergency Paid Sick Leave

Under the Act, employers with fewer than 500 employees will be required to provide paid sick leave to any employee who is:

  • subject to a coronavirus quarantine or isolation order or who has been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to coronavirus concerns;
  • experiencing symptoms of coronavirus and is seeking a medical diagnosis;
  • providing care for a family member who is self-isolating due to a diagnosis of coronavirus, experiencing symptoms of coronavirus and needs to obtain medical diagnosis or care, or quarantining due to exposure or exhibition of symptoms; or
  • caring for a child whose school or place of care is closed, or the child care provider of the child is unavailable, due to coronavirus.

Full-time and part-time employees are eligible for paid leave under the Act.  Full-time employees are to receive 80 hours of sick leave, and part-time workers are entitled to leave equal to the number of hours they work, on average, over a 2-week period.

The amount of pay employers are required to provide under the Act depends on the reason for an employee’s leave.  Employees taking leave for themselves must be paid at their regular rate up to a cap of $511 per day and a total $5,110.  Employees taking leave to care for a family member must be paid at two-thirds of their regular rate, with a cap of $200 per day and a total of $2,000.

Notably, the sick leave required under the Act must be provided in addition to any paid leave already provided by employers.  Employers cannot require a worker to use any other available paid leave before using the sick leave required under the Act.

Finally, employers will be required to post a new notice containing information regarding the emergency sick leave provisions of the Act.  The U.S. Department of Labor will create a model notice within the next week.

Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion

In addition to the new paid sick leave obligations, the Act amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and requires that employers with fewer than 500 workers must provide up to 12 weeks of family and medical (FML) leave for employees unable to work or telework because they have to care for a child if the child’s school or place of care has been closed, or if the child care provider of that child is unavailable due to a coronavirus emergency.  To be eligible for FML leave under the Act, employees must have been employed for at least 30 days.

Under this provision, the first 10 days of leave may be unpaid, although a worker may choose to use accrued vacation days or other available medical, sick or PTO leave for those days.  After the initial 10 days, workers on FMLA leave must be paid at two-thirds of their regular rate. The paid leave under this provision is capped at $200 per day and $10,000 in total.

In most cases, as required by the existing FMLA leave requirements, the new expanded FML leave under the Act is job-protected and an employer must return the employee to the same or equivalent position upon their return to work.  The Act, however, provides an exception for employers with less than 25 employees if (1) the employee’s job no longer exists due to economic conditions or other changes in the employer’s operating conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and (2) the employer makes reasonable efforts to restore the employee to an equivalent position.

Potential Exemptions

Importantly, under the Act, the Secretary of Labor is authorized to issue regulations exempting: (1) certain health care providers and emergency responders from paid leave benefits, and (2) small businesses with fewer than 50 employees from the newly added paid leave requirements “when the imposition of such requirements would jeopardize the viability of the business as a growing concern.”

Employer Tax Credits

The Act provides for a series of refundable tax credits for employers providing paid emergency sick leave or paid FMLA.  Specifically, employers will be entitled to a refundable tax credit equal to 100 percent of qualified sick or family leave wages required by the Act.  These tax credits will be allowed against the employer portion of Social Security taxes; however, if the credit exceeds the employer’s total Social Security taxes for all employees for any calendar quarter, the excess credit will be refundable to the employer.

Next Steps for Employers


Promptly review the Act, which is available here .  Employers need to assess which provisions are applicable to them and determine how to comply.  There will be new regulations and additional legislation in the near future, so it is essential to stay on top of these developments.  We are closely monitoring these matters and will provide updates.

 

Please contact either John Clifford at FortneyScott (jclifford@fortneyscott.com) or your FortneyScott attorney on how these changes affect your company’s compliance obligations.

September 2, 2025
During the first months of the Trump Administration employers have faced unprecedented challenges in understanding and keeping up with the rapidly changing legal environment. To assist our clients in successfully navigating these challenges, FortneyScott is initiating a four-month, complimentary training program addressing Workplace Legal Compliance. These new, original trainings will occur during September through December, 2025 and will include 4 monthly webinars, at least 4 podcasts of DC Insider—Employer Update and timely alerts as developments unfold. The trainings are designed to provide substantive updates and to assist employers in addressing the latest developments as part of their organization’s comprehensive workplace legal compliance program. How to Participate : Register now for the FortneyScott Workplace Legal Compliance webinars, podcast notifications and alerts: Register for all 4 webinars (September 18, October 23, November 20 and December 18). Register for notifications of new podcast episodes of DC Insider—Employer Update. Register for Workplace Legal Compliance alerts and updates. If you have an immediate questions or feedback, please contact any of the FortneyScott attorneys or email info@fortneyscott.com . Additional Background : Workplace legal compliance is essential for mitigating risk, protecting employees, and fostering a positive and reputable company culture. Adhering to federal, state, and local laws concerning labor, safety, and discrimination prevents costly penalties, lawsuits, and operational disruptions. Beyond simply avoiding legal and financial consequences, compliance builds trust with employees and other stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to ethical conduct. This creates a fair and safe work environment that boosts employee morale, increases retention, and enhances overall productivity. By proactively managing legal responsibilities, an organization strengthens its reputation and brand image, which in turn can attract top talent and create a competitive advantage in the marketplace. FortneyScott’s Workplace Legal Compliance supports employers in meeting these objectives. Ultimately, legal compliance is not only a regulatory obligation – it is a strategic investment in the long-term success and integrity of your organization.
August 21, 2025
We are pleased to announce that FortneyScott attorney David Fortney has been recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America for 2026, in recognition of outstanding achievement and contributions to the field of Labor and Employment law. This marks a continuation of his recognition in The Best Lawyers in America since 2008, reflecting a sustained commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership. It underscores the impact of his work within the professional community. We extend our congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.
August 18, 2025
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Civil Division is sending Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) to federal contractors seeking information on their DEI practices, under its authority to investigate False Claims Act (FCA) claims. Flowing from President Trump’s Executive Order 14173, which seeks to limit DEI efforts, the DOJ recently launched the Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which utilizes the FCA to investigate and pursue claims against recipients of federal funds (including federal contractors) that their DEI practices violate federal civil rights laws. The focus of these investigations will likely be: Discriminatory preferences/goals: DEI programs that assign benefits or burdens based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. Use of proxies to mask discrimination: Practices using criteria like "cultural competence" or "lived experience" as proxies for protected characteristics in hiring or promotion decisions. Segregation in the workplace: Limiting membership in affinity groups or separating employees by protected characteristics during training. Discriminatory training programs: DEI training that promotes stereotypes, excludes individuals based on protected characteristics, or creates a hostile environment. Failure to protect against antisemitism: Institutions accepting federal funds that do not adequately address antisemitism or other civil rights violations. Organizations found to be in violation of the FCA can face significant penalties, including treble damages (three times the amount of damages incurred by the government), civil penalties for each false claim, and reputational harm. As a result, all federal contractors and grant recipients should be on high alert for any communication from DOJ and should immediately notify internal counsel if any such communication is received. Please contact your FortneyScott attorney or email us at info@fortneyscott.com for additional information on how to be prepared and to respond to these DOJ investigations and other best practices recommendations.
August 18, 2025
As the Trump Administration reshapes the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), employers and federal contractors face significant shifts in agency leadership, budget priorities, enforcement programs, and regulatory strategies. Join FortneyScott attorneys for an in-depth webinar covering what these changes may mean for your organization. Key Topics to be Covered Include: New Leadership: Review of confirmed and pending DOL appointees, including Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling. Compliance & Self-Audit Programs: Expansion of opinion letter guidance and voluntary audit initiatives across W&H, VETS, OSHA, EBSA, MSHA, and OLMS. Aggressive Deregulatory Agenda: Efforts to revoke EO 11246 regulations, registered apprenticeship affirmative action requirements, and legacy EBSA guidance. Regulatory Revisions & Enforcement: Reforms to Section 503, VEVRAA, tip-credit rules, and child labor standards — including new penalty frameworks. Status of Biden-Era Rules: Updates on independent contractor, overtime, minimum wage, and PLA-related regulations. Proposed FY2026 Budget: 35% overall reduction, including workforce downsizing and potential elimination of OFCCP, Job Corp, and the Women’s Bureau. Strategic Considerations: How the return of the PAID program and potential OFCCP self-audit options may affect employer risk exposure.
August 1, 2025
As the Trump Administration reshapes the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), employers and federal contractors face significant shifts in agency leadership, budget priorities, enforcement programs, and regulatory strategies. Join FortneyScott attorneys on Thursday, August 14th at noon EDT for an in-depth webinar covering what these changes may mean for your organization. CLICK HERE to register. Key Topics to be Covered Include: New Leadership: Review of confirmed and pending DOL appointees, including Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling. Compliance & Self-Audit Programs: Expansion of opinion letter guidance and voluntary audit initiatives across W&H, VETS, OSHA, EBSA, MSHA, and OLMS. Aggressive Deregulatory Agenda: Efforts to revoke EO 11246 regulations, registered apprenticeship affirmative action requirements, and legacy EBSA guidance. Regulatory Revisions & Enforcement: Reforms to Section 503, VEVRAA, tip-credit rules, and child labor standards — including new penalty frameworks. Status of Biden-Era Rules: Updates on independent contractor, overtime, minimum wage, and PLA-related regulations. Proposed FY2026 Budget: 35% overall reduction, including workforce downsizing and potential elimination of OFCCP, Job Corp, and the Women’s Bureau. Strategic Considerations: How the return of the PAID program and potential OFCCP self-audit options may affect employer risk exposure. Who Should Attend: Compliance professionals, in-house counsel, HR and inclusion leaders, and anyone with responsibility for compliance with labor and employment laws.
July 31, 2025
On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in a panel decision affirmed the District Court’s Order in Center for Investigative Reporting v. DOL compelling the DOL to disclose federal contractors’ EEO-1 reports in response to a Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) request. The underlying FOIA request was sent to the DOL’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”) in 2022 seeking consolidated EEO-1 reports for all federal contractors filed between 2016 and 2020. DOL disclosed the EEO-1 report of non-objecting contractors but withheld from disclosure 16,755 EEO reports from 4,141 objection contractors. In its Opinion, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the District Order’s finding that EEO-1 reports are not exempt from disclosure under FOIA Exemption 4, which protects trade secrets and confidential commercial or financial information. Specifically, the Ninth Circuit found that EEO-1 report data is not “commercial” because workforce-compensation data is not designed to be bought and sold, nor does it reveal basic commercial operations, such as sales statistics, profits and losses, or inventories. The Court held that DOL failed to establish that EEO-1 reports describe an exchange of goods or services or the making of a profit. While the Ninth Circuit Order is limited to compelling the release of 2016-2020 reports in response to CIR’s FOIA request, DOL also relied on Exemption 4 to withhold the production of federal contractors’ 2021 consolidated EEO-1 reports in response to FOIA requests issued by the University of Utah and As You Sow. DOL has not issued a comment, and it is not known at this time whether the DOL will appeal this determination. FortneyScott will continue to monitor this and related cases.
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September 2, 2025
During the first months of the Trump Administration employers have faced unprecedented challenges in understanding and keeping up with the rapidly changing legal environment. To assist our clients in successfully navigating these challenges, FortneyScott is initiating a four-month, complimentary training program addressing Workplace Legal Compliance. These new, original trainings will occur during September through December, 2025 and will include 4 monthly webinars, at least 4 podcasts of DC Insider—Employer Update and timely alerts as developments unfold. The trainings are designed to provide substantive updates and to assist employers in addressing the latest developments as part of their organization’s comprehensive workplace legal compliance program. How to Participate : Register now for the FortneyScott Workplace Legal Compliance webinars, podcast notifications and alerts: Register for all 4 webinars (September 18, October 23, November 20 and December 18). Register for notifications of new podcast episodes of DC Insider—Employer Update. Register for Workplace Legal Compliance alerts and updates. If you have an immediate questions or feedback, please contact any of the FortneyScott attorneys or email info@fortneyscott.com . Additional Background : Workplace legal compliance is essential for mitigating risk, protecting employees, and fostering a positive and reputable company culture. Adhering to federal, state, and local laws concerning labor, safety, and discrimination prevents costly penalties, lawsuits, and operational disruptions. Beyond simply avoiding legal and financial consequences, compliance builds trust with employees and other stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to ethical conduct. This creates a fair and safe work environment that boosts employee morale, increases retention, and enhances overall productivity. By proactively managing legal responsibilities, an organization strengthens its reputation and brand image, which in turn can attract top talent and create a competitive advantage in the marketplace. FortneyScott’s Workplace Legal Compliance supports employers in meeting these objectives. Ultimately, legal compliance is not only a regulatory obligation – it is a strategic investment in the long-term success and integrity of your organization.
August 21, 2025
We are pleased to announce that FortneyScott attorney David Fortney has been recognized as one of The Best Lawyers in America for 2026, in recognition of outstanding achievement and contributions to the field of Labor and Employment law. This marks a continuation of his recognition in The Best Lawyers in America since 2008, reflecting a sustained commitment to excellence, innovation, and leadership. It underscores the impact of his work within the professional community. We extend our congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.
August 18, 2025
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Civil Division is sending Civil Investigative Demands (CIDs) to federal contractors seeking information on their DEI practices, under its authority to investigate False Claims Act (FCA) claims. Flowing from President Trump’s Executive Order 14173, which seeks to limit DEI efforts, the DOJ recently launched the Civil Rights Fraud Initiative, which utilizes the FCA to investigate and pursue claims against recipients of federal funds (including federal contractors) that their DEI practices violate federal civil rights laws. The focus of these investigations will likely be: Discriminatory preferences/goals: DEI programs that assign benefits or burdens based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. Use of proxies to mask discrimination: Practices using criteria like "cultural competence" or "lived experience" as proxies for protected characteristics in hiring or promotion decisions. Segregation in the workplace: Limiting membership in affinity groups or separating employees by protected characteristics during training. Discriminatory training programs: DEI training that promotes stereotypes, excludes individuals based on protected characteristics, or creates a hostile environment. Failure to protect against antisemitism: Institutions accepting federal funds that do not adequately address antisemitism or other civil rights violations. Organizations found to be in violation of the FCA can face significant penalties, including treble damages (three times the amount of damages incurred by the government), civil penalties for each false claim, and reputational harm. As a result, all federal contractors and grant recipients should be on high alert for any communication from DOJ and should immediately notify internal counsel if any such communication is received. Please contact your FortneyScott attorney or email us at info@fortneyscott.com for additional information on how to be prepared and to respond to these DOJ investigations and other best practices recommendations.
August 18, 2025
As the Trump Administration reshapes the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), employers and federal contractors face significant shifts in agency leadership, budget priorities, enforcement programs, and regulatory strategies. Join FortneyScott attorneys for an in-depth webinar covering what these changes may mean for your organization. Key Topics to be Covered Include: New Leadership: Review of confirmed and pending DOL appointees, including Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling. Compliance & Self-Audit Programs: Expansion of opinion letter guidance and voluntary audit initiatives across W&H, VETS, OSHA, EBSA, MSHA, and OLMS. Aggressive Deregulatory Agenda: Efforts to revoke EO 11246 regulations, registered apprenticeship affirmative action requirements, and legacy EBSA guidance. Regulatory Revisions & Enforcement: Reforms to Section 503, VEVRAA, tip-credit rules, and child labor standards — including new penalty frameworks. Status of Biden-Era Rules: Updates on independent contractor, overtime, minimum wage, and PLA-related regulations. Proposed FY2026 Budget: 35% overall reduction, including workforce downsizing and potential elimination of OFCCP, Job Corp, and the Women’s Bureau. Strategic Considerations: How the return of the PAID program and potential OFCCP self-audit options may affect employer risk exposure.
August 1, 2025
As the Trump Administration reshapes the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), employers and federal contractors face significant shifts in agency leadership, budget priorities, enforcement programs, and regulatory strategies. Join FortneyScott attorneys on Thursday, August 14th at noon EDT for an in-depth webinar covering what these changes may mean for your organization. CLICK HERE to register. Key Topics to be Covered Include: New Leadership: Review of confirmed and pending DOL appointees, including Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling. Compliance & Self-Audit Programs: Expansion of opinion letter guidance and voluntary audit initiatives across W&H, VETS, OSHA, EBSA, MSHA, and OLMS. Aggressive Deregulatory Agenda: Efforts to revoke EO 11246 regulations, registered apprenticeship affirmative action requirements, and legacy EBSA guidance. Regulatory Revisions & Enforcement: Reforms to Section 503, VEVRAA, tip-credit rules, and child labor standards — including new penalty frameworks. Status of Biden-Era Rules: Updates on independent contractor, overtime, minimum wage, and PLA-related regulations. Proposed FY2026 Budget: 35% overall reduction, including workforce downsizing and potential elimination of OFCCP, Job Corp, and the Women’s Bureau. Strategic Considerations: How the return of the PAID program and potential OFCCP self-audit options may affect employer risk exposure. Who Should Attend: Compliance professionals, in-house counsel, HR and inclusion leaders, and anyone with responsibility for compliance with labor and employment laws.
July 31, 2025
On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in a panel decision affirmed the District Court’s Order in Center for Investigative Reporting v. DOL compelling the DOL to disclose federal contractors’ EEO-1 reports in response to a Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”) request. The underlying FOIA request was sent to the DOL’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (“OFCCP”) in 2022 seeking consolidated EEO-1 reports for all federal contractors filed between 2016 and 2020. DOL disclosed the EEO-1 report of non-objecting contractors but withheld from disclosure 16,755 EEO reports from 4,141 objection contractors. In its Opinion, the Ninth Circuit affirmed the District Order’s finding that EEO-1 reports are not exempt from disclosure under FOIA Exemption 4, which protects trade secrets and confidential commercial or financial information. Specifically, the Ninth Circuit found that EEO-1 report data is not “commercial” because workforce-compensation data is not designed to be bought and sold, nor does it reveal basic commercial operations, such as sales statistics, profits and losses, or inventories. The Court held that DOL failed to establish that EEO-1 reports describe an exchange of goods or services or the making of a profit. While the Ninth Circuit Order is limited to compelling the release of 2016-2020 reports in response to CIR’s FOIA request, DOL also relied on Exemption 4 to withhold the production of federal contractors’ 2021 consolidated EEO-1 reports in response to FOIA requests issued by the University of Utah and As You Sow. DOL has not issued a comment, and it is not known at this time whether the DOL will appeal this determination. FortneyScott will continue to monitor this and related cases.
July 31, 2025
On July 23, 2025, the Trump Administration issued America’s AI Action Plan that provides policy recommendations to achieve the goal of global AI dominance by the United States. Of particular interest to employers, the Action Plan includes recommendations to empower American workers in the age of AI, for training a skilled workforce for AI infrastructure and jobs, and for developing new criteria to address misinformation, including specifically identifying DEI. Join FortneyScott for a discussion on the employment-law related key provisions of America’s AI Action Plan and how they may impact the workforce.
July 24, 2025
On July 23, 2025, the Trump Administration issued America’s AI Action Plan that provides policy recommendations to achieve the goal of global AI dominance by the United States. Of particular interest to employers, the Action Plan includes recommendations to empower American workers in the age of AI, for training a skilled workforce for AI infrastructure and jobs, and for developing new criteria to address misinformation, including specifically identifying DEI. Join FortneyScott lawyers on Thursday, July 31, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET for a discussion of the employment-law related key provisions of America’s AI Action Plan and how they may impact the workforce. Please click here to register.
July 24, 2025
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) today announced several programs designed to help employers, as well as unions and pension plans, voluntarily assess and improve their compliance with federal labor laws. “Self-audits are one of the most effective ways to build a culture of compliance and trust,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “These programs are designed to give employers … the tools they need to correct potential violations proactively.” Of particular interest for employer compliance, the self-audit programs include: minimum wage and overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and benefits under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) (Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID)) ; protected veterans’ rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) (SALUTE - Support and Assistance for Leaders in USERRA Training and Employment) ; and, safety and health programs (Voluntary Protection Programs) . For employers dealing with Wage & Hour issues, the Payroll Audit Independent Determination (PAID) established in the prior Trump Administration for resolution of FLSA and FMLA compliance matters has been reinstituted. By using the PAID program, the audit results that are approved by DOL can provide significant protection against collective and class overtime claims for employers. FortneyScott has extensive experience in advising clients on self-audits that are overseen by DOL. Please contact your FortneyScott attorney for more information about these new compliance opportunities.
July 23, 2025
The Trump Administration announced an ambitious Artificial Intelligence Action Plan that provides policy recommendations to achieve the goal of global AI dominance by the United States. Of particular interest to employers, the Action Plan includes recommendations to empower American workers in the age of AI, for training a skilled workforce for AI infrastructure, jobs, and developing new criteria to address misinformation, including specifically identifying DEI. Overview of the Action Plan . As anticipated by Executive Order 14179 , Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence , the White House issued Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan (the “Action Plan”) on July 23, 2025. The Action Plan sets forth the Administration’s policy recommendations based on the following three pillars: (1) acceleration of AI innovation; (2) building American AI infrastructure, and (3) leading in international AI diplomacy and security. Further, the Action Plan contemplates initiatives led by various federal agencies, including the Department of Labor (“DOL”), to promote the advancement and adoption of AI throughout all facets of American life. Key initiatives of the Action Plan include significant deregulatory efforts aimed at promoting AI development: Consistent with Executive Order 14192 , Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation , the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) will work with all federal agencies to review, rescind, and/or amend regulatory and sub-regulatory hinderances to AI development and deployment; OMB will also work with federal agencies to limit discretionary AI-related federal funding to states with AI regulatory requirements that the administration considers onerous; and The National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) will revise its “AI Risk Management Framework” to eliminate references to misinformation, DEI, and climate change. The Key Workforce Provisions. The Action Plan tasks the DOL with leading, either on its own or in conjunction with other agencies, to empower American workers in the age of AI, including: Workforce funding streams should flow towards training, apprenticeships, and other skill-based initiatives that prioritize AI skill development; The Bureau of Labor Statistics should study AI’s impact on the labor market to incorporate the findings into DOL’s forthcoming “AI Workforce Research Hub”; and Exposure programs, pre-apprenticeships, training programs, and Registered Apprenticeships should be created and/or expanded for occupations related to the building, operation, and maintenance of AI infrastructure. The Action Plan also includes specific recommendations to DOL for training a skilled workforce for AI infrastructure work. DOL will: identify high-priority occupations; partner with state and local government to support the creation of industry-driven training programs; expand early career exposure and pre-apprenticeship programs; and, expand the use of Registered Apprenticeship in occupations that are critical to AI infrastructure. Employers Next Steps. As federal agencies accelerate and focus on AI adoption, private sector organizations need to assess how their workforce strategies align with emerging national priorities. Employers need to identify opportunities to ensure their workforces are trained and proficient with AI-related skills and technology. Companies may also want to explore paths to participate in or benefit from federal programs and funding aimed at supporting AI innovation, infrastructure, and international leadership. Additionally employers need to be cognizant of a likely tension between the federal deregulatory approach and a growing number of state law and regulatory requirements addressing the use of AI in the workplace. FortneyScott invites clients and friends for a complimentary webinar discussing these developments on July 31, 2025, at 12:00 PM ET. Please click here to register. If you have any questions, please reach out to your FortneyScott attorney.
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