In the United States a complex interplay of federal, state, and local statutes, rules, and regulations has always shaped employment law. Politics and elections also play an important role in influencing the enactment and enforcement of the nation’s employment laws. With the imminent shift from the administrations of Joseph Biden to Donald Trump, employers can expect a new direction and a raft of changes to the federal government’s approach to labor and employment law and regulatory policies.

These changes undoubtedly will significantly impact the American workplace. Unlike most changes in administration, employers can look to their actual experiences during President-elect Trump’s first term to anticipate the direction a second Trump administration might take. President-elect Trump will likely revisit some of the labor policies he promoted during his previous tenure but will also pursue new initiatives aligned with pronouncements and economic policies he raised during the campaign. Below, we explore some of the potential changes we expect in the enforcement of federal employment laws from the second Trump administration.